By Prashanth Parameswaran
The two countries signed an enhanced defense cooperation agreement.
The United States and Singapore inked a new defense pact Monday that will provide a new framework for an expanded defense relationship between the two strategic partners.
Singapore and the United States already have a strong defense relationship. The city-state has provided logistical support for U.S. military aircraft and vessels in the region under the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and the 2005 Strategic Framework Agreement (SFA). Singapore stepped in to support an American military presence following the closure of U.S. bases in the Philippines in 1991, supported U.S. efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq, and was the first Southeast Asian state to join the U.S.-led Global Coalition to Counter ISIL.
But the two sides have been looking to boost ties as they commemorate the 50th anniversary of their relationship in 2016. On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Singapore’s Minister for Defense Ng Eng Hen met at the Pentagon and signed the new enhanced defense cooperation agreement (DCA).
Read the full story at The Diplomat