India and Singapore sign pact for joint air exercises and training
India and Singapore signed an agreement today on a long-term arrangement for conducting joint training and exercises between the Indian Air Force and the Republic of Singapore Air Force. The agreement was signed by the Defence Secretary Mr. Vijay Singh and Singapore’s Permanent Secretary of Defence, Mr. Chiang Chie Foo as the two-day 4th India-Singapore Defence Policy Dialogue began here today.
During the dialogue, both sides gave an update on India-Singapore defence relations and expressed the need to further intensify cooperation. Sub-groups reported progress made in respective fields including research & development. The regional security aspects, both from Indian and Singaporean perspectives, were discussed.
Bilateral Agreement signed is for the Conduct of Joint Military Training and Exercises in India between the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Indian Air Force (IAF). The RSAF and the IAF have conducted four bilateral exercises since the inaugural exercise in Gwalior in October 2004, with the most recent exercise in December 2006 held in Singapore for the first time. The conclusion of the agreement is testament to the growing bilateral relations between India and Singapore.
The Singapore-India Defence Policy Dialogue was established under the Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in October 2003, and inaugurated in March 2004. The DPD provides a forum to oversee and drive forward the bilateral defence relationship. Bilateral defence interactions have grown in recent years. Apart from the bilateral exercises between the RSAF and the IAF, the two armies have already conducted three joint exercises, with the fourth exercise scheduled to begin next week. Indian and Singapore armies will hold joint artillery exercises at Deolali, near Nasik in Maharashtra,. The Singapore Army will be represented by an over 100-member contingent. The Republic of Singapore Navy and the Indian Navy conduct an annual exercise, code-named Simbex, which has grown in scope and complexity over the years to include three-dimensional warfare and bilateral maritime patrol exercises. There are also regular exchanges between the two defence establishments in the form of policy dialogues, visits and courses.
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