The Chief of Staff of the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) Rear-Admiral (RADM) Jan Thörnqvist was conferred Singapore's prestigious military award, the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera), or the Meritorious Service Medal (Military), by President Tony Tan Keng Yam.

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen presented the award to RADM Thörnqvist at the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) HQ on Tuesday morning.

RADM Thörnqvist received the award "in recognition of his significant contributions in strengthening the defence ties between the RSwN and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)," said Mindef in its press release.

The Defence Ministry added that under RADM Thörnqvist's leadership, "the relationship between the two navies has grown and matured" through efforts like facilitating the training and operationalisation of the RSN's Archer-Class submarines, as well as the sharing of expertise and experience between the two submarine communities. The RSwN and the RSN also interact frequently through courses, exchanges and bilateral exercises.

Speaking after the investiture, RADM Thörnqvist said: "I am extremely grateful and honored to be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (Military) by the Singapore Government. This extraordinary distinction is a reflection of the ongoing long and successful defence ties between Singapore and Sweden."

RADM Thörnqvist, who will be in Singapore until Wednesday, had earlier called on Dr Ng and Chief of Navy RADM Ng Chee Peng before the investiture. RADM Thörnqvist also inspected a Guard-of-Honour contingent at the Ministry of Defence on Monday morning.

As part of the programme, he will visit a Bedok-class Mine-Countermeasure Vessel, RSS Bedok, at Tuas Naval Base on Tuesday afternoon.