US defence chief Hegseth meets Singapore PM Wong, reaffirms strong defence ties

United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth met Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday, with both leaders highlighting the strength of US-Singapore defence ties and voicing their shared commitment to regional peace and stability amid mounting geopolitical challenges.

The meeting marked the first by a Cabinet official from the current US administration to call on Wong since he assumed office. According to Singapore’s Ministry of Defence, the two “reaffirmed the excellent and long-standing bilateral defence relations” between their countries and exchanged views on regional security developments.

Hegseth also reiterated Washington’s support for the Singapore Armed Forces’ training in the US, while Wong emphasised Singapore’s consistent backing of America’s military presence in the Asia-Pacific.

Earlier in the day, Hegseth held talks with Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue (SLD), where the two discussed ways to strengthen military cooperation and expand their strategic partnership.

Chan, attending the regional security summit for the first time as defence minister, later said in a statement that continued US engagement was “vital for regional peace, stability and prosperity”.