General David John Hurley, chief of the Australian Defence Force, was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Distinguished Service Order (Military), by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Istana on Friday.

The medal was presented to General Hurley for his contributions in forging defence ties between the Australian Defence Force and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), said a Defence Ministry statement on Friday.

General Hurley provided strong support for the SAF's deployment in Afghanistan and promoted bi-lateral exercises and multi-lateral interactions under the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

Guests at the investiture included Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen, Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chiang Chie Foo, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Neo Kian Hong, as well as senior government officials and military officers from both countries.