SINGAPORE - The Chief of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Michael Yardley, called on Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen at the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on Thursday morning as part of his introductory visit to Singapore.

AVM Yardley, whose visit covered Nov 10 to 12, also called on Chief of Defence Force Major-General (MG) Perry Lim and Chief of Air Force MG Hoo Cher Mou, after inspecting a guard of honour. He visited Sembawang Air Base on Wednesday.

Mindef said that AVM Yardley's visit underscores the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and New Zealand .

In a statement, it adde d that The Republic of Singapore Air Force and the RNZAF interact regularly through multilateral exercises, professional exchanges, and cross-attendance of courses.

Both air forces also interact under the Five Power Defence Arrangements, which counts Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Britain as members.