Singapore: A Trusted Defense Partner of India

 Keywords: India, Singapore, Defense Partnership, Act East Policy, Maritime Security

Date: 25th November 2024

India and Singapore enjoy a strong and robust defense partnership. Over the years, the partnership has evolved into a distinct defense cooperation that has brought mutual benefits to both partners and contributed towards security and stability in the region.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Singapore in September 2024 for the fifth time as Prime Minister, both countries have reaffirmed their commitment to the long-standing defense relationship and applauded the high-level bilateral military exercises such as Agni Warrior, SIMBEX, SITMEX, and JMT, which have been instrumental in strengthening the partnership.

India's consistent support for Singapore Armed Forces' training in India was acknowledged by the Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. He also lauded India's active role in the ADMM-Plus regional security framework.

Last month at the 6th round of India-Singapore Defense Minister level dialogue in New Delhi, both countries agreed to further deepen the defense partnership. As the country coordinator for India-ASEAN relations during 2021-2024 and as co-host of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, Singapore ensured India's presence was felt.

India-Singapore defense partnership has come a long way since their first Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercises (SIMBEX), which is today one of the most sophisticated naval partnerships in the region. Started as Exercise Lion King in 1994, SIMBEX witnessed its 31st edition this year.

The exercises that include anti-submarine warfare, surface combat operations, and aerial engagements, demonstrating high interoperability and mutual confidence were held at the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam and in the Bay of Bengal.  

The decade of 2000s was a landmark in the evolution of India-Singapore defense partnership. A critical aspect of this partnership was India's provision of access to its military training facilities, particularly the Kalaikunda Air Force Base, enabling Singapore to conduct air combat exercises—a privilege few nations extend.

The signing of the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) in 2003 contributed to the institutionalization of defense dialogues, intelligence sharing, and technology collaboration, creating a framework for sustained engagement between both the countries.

Following that, the annual India-Singapore Defense Policy Dialogue was initiated and a Defense Technology Steering Committee to facilitate defense technology cooperation between India's Defense Research and Development Organization and Singapore's Defense Science and Technology Agency was set up in 2006.

The 2015 Joint Statement on the India-Singapore Strategic Partnership marked another milestone in defense relations, underscoring a shared commitment to regional stability and cooperation. The Defense Cooperation Agreement was revised and bilateral defense ties were upgraded through structured dialogues, joint military exercises, and technological collaboration.

The agreement institutionalized high-level interactions, including regular Defense Minister meetings, and expanded training across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Maritime security emerged as a critical focus in the realm of defense and security partnership. Both nations operationalized the 2015 Technical Agreement on White-Shipping Information sharing, enhancing transparency and situational awareness.

Increased cooperation between their Coast Guards further reinforced their commitment to maritime safety. The partnership encouraged co-development and co-production in the defense technology domain, fostering collaboration between their defense industries. These measures aimed at modernizing capabilities while strengthening existing economic and strategic ties. Additionally, both countries addressed transnational security threats like terrorism, cyber threats, and organized crime.

The 6th India-Singapore Defense Ministerial Dialogue (DMD), co-chaired by India's Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Singapore's Defense Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen, showed the willingness for profound and enduring defense partnership between the two nations.

They highlighted shared commitments to regional peace and stability and agreed to elevate their collaboration in areas like joint military training, information sharing, defense technology, and emerging domains like Artificial Intelligence and cybersecurity.

Significant outcomes of the 6^th DMD included the extension of the bilateral Joint Military Training (JMT) agreement for another five years, highlighting a shared focus on preparedness and coordination in regional security challenges. Singapore's use of the Chandpur Integrated Test Range for live-firing of weapons has been a point of mutual interest, with discussions to finalize a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the same.

Both India and Singapore emphasize on defense industry cooperation, focusing on co-development and niche technologies, reflecting a vision for innovation-driven partnerships. Both nations also celebrated their collaboration within the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), with Singapore acknowledging India's essential role in Asia's security architecture.

Coinciding with Dr Ng Eng Hen's visit, the 12th India-Singapore Joint Military Training (JMT) was held at Kalaikunda Air Force Station, West Bengal. This annual exercise highlights the robust defense ties between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).

The JMT includes joint mission planning, simulations, and debriefings focused on advanced air combat. This year, the RSAF deployed its largest-ever contingent, featuring F-16s, F-15s, and G-550 AWACS, while the IAF participated with Rafales, Mirages, Su-30 MKIs, and Tejas fighters, showcasing a mutual commitment to operational synergy.

The India-Singapore defense partnership supports India's strategic footprint in Southeast Asia, aligning with its Act East Policy and maritime strategies. India considers Singapore as an important partner in its AEP and acknowledges the latter’s role in facilitating India’s presence in the ASEAN-led institutions and frameworks such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS).

Collaborations with Singapore’s advanced military also help India modernize its forces, enhance operational capabilities, and secure critical sea lanes vital for its maritime trade. Furthermore, the partnership bears the potential of countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific, reinforcing India's role as a regional stabilizer.

For Singapore, India provides access to expansive training grounds, enabling the development of Singapore's armed forces despite geographic constraints. Partnering with India diversifies Singapore's strategic relationships, reducing dependency on any single power while balancing China's growing influence.

India's growing maritime presence in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia enhances regional stability, benefiting Singapore's trade-dependent economy. Defense technology collaboration offers Singapore innovation and capacity-building opportunities, ensuring its military remains technologically advanced. The defense partnership fosters mutual trust and regional security that is mutually beneficial.

Sampa Kundu is a Consultant, ASEAN-India Centre at RIS, New Delhi and a Visiting Fellow, Asian Confluence.

Disclaimer: The views expressed above and the information available are those of the author/s and can therefore in no way be taken to reflect the position of Asian Confluence