The Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet Admiral (ADM) Harry Harris called on Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on Tuesday morning as part of his three-day introductory visit to Singapore.

He had earlier called on Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Ng Chee Peng after inspecting a Guard of Honour.

ADM Harris is in Singapore from Jan 20 to 22. He will be visiting the Changi Command and Control Centre at Changi Naval Base later Tuesday.

In a statement, the Defence Ministry said that ADM Harris' visit "underscores the excellent and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and the United States, and between both navies."

The US is redeploying 60 per cent of its navy to the region by 2020, up from 50 per cent currently, as part of its "Asia pivot" strategy.

Its first littoral combat ship the USS Freedom, the first of four such ships that Singapore has allowed to be deployed in its waters, recently completed an eight-month deployment operating out of Changi Naval Base. Another will commence a 16-month deployment later this year.