A senior research official from the United States navy has been conferred an award from Singapore, in recognition of his efforts to promote defence cooperation between the two countries.

Rear-Admiral (RADM) (Ret) Nevin Carr, the former Chief of Naval Research in the United States' Department of Defense, was conferred the Singapore Defence Technology Distinguished Fellowship by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen at the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on Tuesday morning.

The award was in recognition of his "outstanding contributions in expanding defence technology cooperation and further strengthening the excellent defence technology relationship between Singapore and the US", said Mindef in a statement.

This fellowship was established in 1996 to recognise individuals who have contributed significantly to bilateral defence technology cooperation.

As the US Chief of Naval Research from 2008 to 2011, RADM (Ret) Carr actively promoted bilateral science and technology cooperation, said Mindef. He also established several joint projects with Singapore in maritime security.

RADM (Ret) Carr had supported Singapore's naval helicoptor programme, and facilitated the Republic of Singapore Navy's training detachment at the San Diego Naval Base when he was the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, overseeing international programmes, from May 2007 to December 2008.