Australia's navy chief honoured for forging closer ties with Singapore counterpart

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) to the Chief of Navy of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral (VADM) Ray Griggs this morning. -- PHOTO: MINDEF
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) to the Chief of Navy of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral (VADM) Ray Griggs this morning. -- PHOTO: MINDEF

An Australian navy chief was honoured with a prestigious military award on Thursday for his work in improving ties between the Australian and Singaporean navies.

Vice-Admiral Ray Griggs was presented with the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) Award by Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen.

Also known as the Meritorious Service Medal (Military), it is awarded to personnel who have displayed "resource and devotion to duty, including long service marked by exceptional ability, merit and exemplary conduct", according to the website of the Prime Minister's Office. Previous recipients include top military brass from Sweden and Brunei.

Vice-Admiral Griggs, 53, has been credited for improving cooperation between both navies in the areas of counter-piracy and submarine rescue, as well as in bilateral and multi-lateral exercises, said the Defence Ministry in a statement.

Vice-Admiral Griggs said that he was "extremely humbled" to receive the award, adding: "I have worked with the RSN (Republic of Singapore Navy) throughout my career and watched the RSN and the SAF (Singapore Armed Forces) more generally with admiration as it has evolved into the highly capable force it is today."

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