Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen visited the United States Pacific Command on Saturday, the last day of Dr Ng's four-day visit to Hawaii in which he attended a US-ASEAN Defence Ministers' informal meeting.

Dr Ng met Admiral Samuel Locklear, commander of the United States Pacific Command, and they noted the progress made under the 2005 US-Singapore Strategic Framework Agreement. The agreement spells out the key areas of defence cooperation between the two countries.

They also looked forward to the deployment of the next Littoral Combat Ship, the USS Fort Worth, in Singapore later this year.

Dr Ng and Admiral Locklear also discussed the rebalancing of the United States and its engagement with the Asia-Pacific region, as well as other geopolitical developments.

The Singapore Armed Forces and United States Pacific Command have been involved in joint training and exercises, staff talks, visits and professional exchanges.

The Ministry of Defence said that these interactions "have enhanced the interoperability between the two armed forces as well as the rapport and mutual understanding among their personnel".