Defense Deal Shows Strength of Ties Between Singapore and Australia

Defense Deal Shows Strength of Ties Between Singapore and Australia
Soldiers from Australia and Singapore head out on patrol during Exercise Trident, Queensland, Australia, Nov. 8, 2014 (Australian Defense Department photo).

Earlier this month, Singapore and Australia announced a $1.7 billion military cooperation deal, part of a broader strategic partnership between the two countries. In an email interview, Euan Graham, director of the international security program at the Lowy Institute and author of “The Lion and the Kangaroo: Australia’s Strategic Partnership With Singapore,” discussed Australia’s defense and security relationship with Singapore.

WPR: What has been the nature of Australia-Singapore defense ties, and how has their defense relationship evolved in recent years?

Euan Graham: Australia’s defense relationship with Singapore is longstanding, deep and mutual, although for the most part it has been relatively low-profile. That changed in early May 2016, when Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced a deal to significantly expand defense training for the Singapore Armed Forces in Australia as part of a “massive upgrade” for the relationship.

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