Former Australian secretary of defence Dennis James Richardson received Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera), at the Istana yesterday.

President Tony Tan Keng Yam presented him with the award, also known as the Distinguished Service Order (Military), for his significant contributions towards strengthening the close and longstanding defence relations between Australia and Singapore, said a statement from Singapore's Defence Ministry.

For instance, Mr Richardson strongly supported the Singapore Armed Forces' training in Australia and also played a key role in deepening the defence aspect of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed in 2015 to enhance cooperation between the two countries in trade and economics, foreign affairs, defence and security, as well as people-to-people ties.

He also supported both countries' cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements, the Shangri-La Dialogue, and the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Permanent Secretary for Defence Chan Yeng Kit, as well as senior government officials and military officers from Singapore and Australia attended the ceremony.

Mr Richardson, who is in Singapore for a three-day visit that ends today, also called on Dr Ng and Mr Chan at the Defence Ministry.