Signing of Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement Deepens Defence Relations between Singapore and Australia

27 July 2026 Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Defence Richard Marles at the 15th meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC) in Adelaide, Australia, today. Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing (third from left), Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (second from left), and Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Dr Tan See Leng (first from left) attended the 15th meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee at Adelaide, Australia. Minister Chan and DPM Marles witnessed the signing of the Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement by Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) Melvyn Ong (second from left) and Australia’s National Armaments Director Nadine Williams (third from left). During their meeting, Minister Chan (second from left) and DPM Marles (second from right) reaffirmed the close and longstanding defence ties between Singapore and Australia. Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing met with Australian Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Defence Richard Marles at the 15th meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee (SAJMC) in Adelaide, Australia, today. During the meeting, Minister Chan and DPM Marles commended the progress made in deepening defence cooperation under the auspices of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) 2.0. The Ministers welcomed the signing of the Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement (IBRA) as a significant step forward in the bilateral defence relationship. The IBRA provides a practical framework for strengthening defence logistics and supply chain cooperation – a key initiative under the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding concerning Enhanced Defence Cooperation – in support of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF). It reflects both countries’ shared commitment to support mutual defence industrial base resiliency. Minister Chan and DPM Marles also took stock of other ongoing efforts to deepen the defence relationship between both countries. These include enhancing their respective militaries’ reciprocal access to defence facilities in Australia and Singapore, stepping up cooperation in defence science and technology, and expanding professional exchanges between both militaries. Both Ministers also exchanged views on global and regional developments. They reaffirmed the close cooperation between both countries on the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus) and the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). They agreed to continue contributing constructively to regional security and stability. The 15th meeting of the SAJMC was also attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Dr Tan See Leng, alongside their respective Australian counterparts, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for Trade and Tourism and Special Minister of State Don Farrell. While in Australia, Minister Chan also visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) Oakey Detachment, located at the Australian Army Aviation Training Centre in Queensland, yesterday. During the visit, he was briefed on the detachment’s CH-47 Chinook helicopter operations, flew on a familiarisation flight, and met with SAF personnel stationed at the detachment. Minister Chan also met with Mayor of Toowoomba Geoff McDonald and engaged ADF personnel. He expressed Singapore’s appreciation for the strong and longstanding support of the ADF and the local community towards the SAF’s training in Australia. Minister Chan will also visit the RSAF’s 130 Squadron, located at Royal Australian Air Force Base Pearce in Perth, tomorrow. He will engage RSAF personnel and receive a brief on the aircrew training programmes conducted there. Minister Chan’s visits reaffirm the importance of the SAF’s training in Australia. Minister Chan visited the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s Oakey Detachment at the Australian Army Aviation Training Centre in Queensland, Australia, yesterday. He met with Singapore Armed Forces personnel stationed there and their families, as well as received a brief on the detachment’s CH-47 Chinook helicopter operations. More Resources Fact Sheet: Singapore-Australia Industrial Base Resiliency Arrangement Remarks by Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing at 15th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee Joint Press Conference at Commonwealth Parliament Office, Adelaide Back to top