Today, the Defense Department’s chief digital and artificial intelligence officer and Singapore’s deputy secretary for technology signed a new statement of intent for data analytics and artificial intelligence cooperation, said Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III.

Austin hosted an enhanced honor cordon and meeting welcoming Singapore’s Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen to the Pentagon. 

This statement of intent will strengthen interoperability and promote the responsible use of AI, Austin said.

Austin noted some key bilateral cooperation items.

Singapore is one of 29 countries currently participating in the Rim of the Pacific, or RIMPAC, exercise in Hawaii, the secretary said.

About 25,000 personnel are participating in that exercise, which started June 26 and ends Aug. 2. 

Austin thanked Ng for hosting leaders and senior military officials from nations in the Indo-Pacific region in late May and early June at the annual International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Shangri-La Dialogue. 

Also in May, the two nations signed an important memorandum of understanding on defense innovation, he said.

“This will help both of our countries to source cutting-edge technology quickly and effectively,” Austin said. 

In December, both nations finalized a supply chain security arrangement and are taking steps to strengthen its resiliency, he said. 

Both militaries continue to train together across all domains: land, sea, air, space and cyber. And both nations have a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, Austin said.

“Singapore remains one of our most valued defense partners, and I’m proud that our defense partnership keeps growing stronger,” the secretary said. 

Ng thanked Austin for his leadership of DOD and for strengthening partnerships.

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