The Australian Minister for Defence, Marise Payne, and her Singaporean counterpart Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) concerning Military Training and Training Area Development.
The signing took place last month during the visit of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his delegation to Australia.
The MOU delivers a framework to implement increased Singapore Armed Forces unilateral army training in Australia. It sets the conditions for upgrading the Shoalwater Bay Training Area and Townsville Field Training Area to deliver enhanced training outcomes for both the Singapore Armed Forces and the Australian Defence Force.
Up to 14,000 Singapore Armed Forces personnel will conduct unilateral Army training in Australia for up to 18 weeks per year, almost trebling current arrangements. Singapore’s training presence will begin to increase next year.
As this presence increases, the demand for support services and opportunities for local businesses will expand. About $2 billion will be invested in the Townsville and Rockhampton regions from 2016 to 2026.
Minister Payne said the agreement reflected Australia’s close defence relationship with Singapore, based on practical cooperation.
“Australia and Singapore have a long history of defence engagement, and shared interests in regional stability and security,” she said. “This will bring us closer as defence partners and generate significant local economic activity over the next 25 years.”
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Mark Lane is a defence writer for defenceonline.co.uk and the MoD’s Defence Contracts Bulletin. He is also editor of Global Trader, sub-editor of Insider Scotland and a former editor of Business Today.
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