One new move he cited is a 'Top Ten' initiative between Malaysia and Singapore.

It involves the top 10 military leaders from each army, navy and air force having 'interactions' to build better personal ties and discuss issues of mutual interest informally.

With Indonesia, Mr Teo said relations between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and its counterpart TNI remain strong, although the defence cooperation agreement signed last year ran into difficulties.

The minister was replying to MPs Indranee Rajah (Tanjong Pagar GRC) and Michael Palmer (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) on Singapore's defence diplomacy.

The deep and broad-based nature of defence links, including bilateral exercises, between Singapore and Malaysia, has kept lines of communication open, Mr Teo said.

'Such linkages build confidence and help us weather the occasional political storm,' he added, citing the Top Ten interactions.

He also said his visit in January to Malaysia, where he met his counterpart, Datuk Seri Najib Razak, allowed both to affirm the long-standing defence ties between their countries.

He also gave a talk to senior Malaysian officers at the Malaysian Armed Forces Defence College on bilateral relations, and how both sides can work together to strengthen regional security.

'I am glad we had an open, frank and honest discussion during the dialogue,' he said. 'Both countries see the importance of developing good defence relations.'

Mr Palmer also asked about airspace restrictions Malaysia imposed on aircraft of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

Said Mr Teo: 'Certain agreements were terminated, which I hope will be reinstated eventually. Similarly, I hope restrictions imposed on RSAF aircraft on Five Power Defence Arrangements exercises will eventually be lifted.'

Malaysia withdrew special approval for RSAF jets to fly in Malaysian airspace in 1998, so the planes have to fly around southern Johor to reach training areas over the South China Sea.

As for the defence pact with Indonesia, Mr Teo said Singapore stands ready to honour it.

The agreement was signed as a package with an extradition treaty in April last year, but Indonesian legislators have refused to ratify the deal. Both countries have agreed to put it aside for now.

'We recognise that domestic conditions in Indonesia may not allow for the package of agreements to be ratified at this time,' Mr Teo said.

Still, he said SAF and TNI leaders shared the view that their defence relationship is important and mutually beneficial.

The new Indonesian navy and air force chiefs, whom he met here recently, both emphasised this point, he added.

Both countries' navies had an exercise in January last year while in December, both armies held their annual brigade-level exercise.

Beyond its neighbours, Singapore is also strengthening defence relations with key players including the United States, China and India, he added.

It has offered Japan facilities to encourage its forces to engage with the region.

'In fact, the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force is the second-highest foreign user of Changi Naval Base, after the United States,' he said.