Singapore, France expand defence cooperation with three new agreements
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French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong (right) applaud as Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing and French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu shake hands on May 30.
PHOTO: MINDEF
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SINGAPORE – Singapore and France have signed three defence agreements to deepen cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced defence technologies.
They were sealed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit
The three agreements
The DOI sets out the two countries’ commitment to deepen and expand their defence relationship across multiple domains of mutual interest and shared expertise, including in digital defence.
It also forms the foundation for both sides to explore new areas of collaboration, such as in critical and emerging technologies, while recognising the support both countries have provided for each other’s military activities, said Mindef in a statement.
The LOI aims to expand the work of a joint laboratory that Singapore and France set up in April 2023.
The laboratory, which focuses on the use of AI in military applications, exemplifies both sides’ shared goal of involving operational users and industry partners to co-develop solutions to meet battlefield needs and emerging security threats.
Mindef said use cases that both sides have identified include data analysis, countering misinformation and disinformation, autonomous systems, and checking that AI systems work as intended and are safe to use.
The final agreement updates a longstanding framework that both sides use to work on the research and development of emerging and advanced areas of defence technology.
The original AADTC was signed in November 2003 and last updated in April 2016. The latest agreement adds new areas for cooperation, including in quantum, microelectronics and supply chain resilience, said Mindef.
The signings, by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and French Minister of the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu, were witnessed by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Mr Macron.
The defence agreements are part of a broader effort by the two countries to strengthen mutual cooperation as part of their upgraded partnership.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and French President Emmanuel Macron, as well as members of their governments, meeting on May 30 during the French leader’s state visit to Singapore.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
The CSP upgrade, announced during Mr Macron’s visit, aims to build cooperation in other areas as well, such as education, digital policy and green energy. The CSP is Singapore’s first with a European country, following similar arrangements with Australia and Vietnam.
At a press conference during the visit, PM Wong said defence has always been a “pillar” of the relationship between the two countries, and that it will be buttressed going forward.
“Under the new partnership, we will enhance cooperation in other areas, including deployment of defence technology and critical and emerging technologies,” he said.
