Singapore
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Philippines, Singapore deepen ties with defense cooperation agreement
Sarah Chan In a demonstration of strengthening ties, the Philippines and Singapore recently signed a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation as the partnership becomes increasingly critical amid growing security challenges, particularly in the South China Sea. The agreement builds on bilateral defense arrangements and is a framework for enhancing cooperation in areas such as military education, counterterrorism, and humanitarian…
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Partnerships
Indo-Pacific Endeavour links Australia with Allies and Partners for military exercises, training
FORUM Staff Legal workshops on security issues hosted in Sri Lanka recently kicked off Indo-Pacific Endeavour 24 (IPE), Australia’s five-month engagement involving 14 countries across Southeast Asia and the northeast Indian Ocean. Australian ships, aircraft and personnel deployed to individual countries for military exercises, training, workshops, and cultural and athletic activities. IPE, which runs from August to December 2024, covers…
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Features
Advancing Space Partnerships
Lt. Stephen Schroeder/U.S. Navy, U.S. Space Command Joint Integrated Space Team Pacific The United States and its Allies and Partners are at the forefront of an emerging era of opportunity. Space’s critical role in the global commons has gained considerable attention in recent years, and the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DOD) guidance has never been clearer: “Space is now a…
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Partnerships
Singapore Armed Forces initiatives strengthen camaraderie, operational readiness
Sarah Chan As the Indo-Pacific faces heightened security tensions, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) is promoting readiness and excellence among its personnel through programs and initiatives such as the Best Unit Competition, designed to foster camaraderie and operational preparedness. The long-running competition recognizes distinction in combat readiness, operational proficiency and administrative performance. “The recognition and awards offered to the units…
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Northeast Asia
Allies, partners enhance all-domain readiness with military exercises across Indo-Pacific
FORUM Staff More than 30 allied and partner militaries deployed personnel, aircraft, ships, submarines, uncrewed vehicles and other assets across the Indo-Pacific in mid-2024. The multinational, near-simultaneous exercises Pitch Black, Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) and Valiant Shield stretched from Oceania and the Western Pacific to Northeast Asia. Tens of thousands of troops joined the all-domain training to build interoperability…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Logistics, medical, HADR key components of RIMPAC 2024
FORUM Staff Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), the world’s largest international maritime exercise with more than 40 ships and 25,000 personnel from 29 nations, includes its biggest humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) drill in 2024, plus symposiums on logistics and medicine. The HADR portion included 2,500 participants from nine nations — Canada, Chile, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Singapore, South…
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Free and Open Indo-Pacific/FOIP
Amphibious, maritime force leaders collaborate for Free and Open Indo-Pacific
FORUM Staff In its 10th iteration, the Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS) unveiled a new motto: Stronger Together. It is a reminder that regular collaboration among Allies and Partners is the foundation to respond to crises and perform at a high level to ensure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. PALS 24 drew delegations from 24 nations to Seoul, South Korea,…
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Global Commons
RSAF expanding F-35 fleet as part of strategic modernization
Sarah Chan Singapore is acquiring eight additional F-35As, expanding its planned fleet of the United States-made fighter jet to 20 to replace its older F-16 aircraft. The upgrades come amid heightened regional security concerns, emphasizing the importance of bolstering the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). The F-35A’s technology and stealth capabilities significantly enhance Singapore’s defense posture, experts say. “The…
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Partnerships
Multilateral Cobra Gold returns to Thailand with all-domain drills, humanitarian focus
FORUM Staff More than 9,500 participants and observers from 30 nations joined forces in Thailand in February and March 2024 for exercise Cobra Gold, the largest post-pandemic edition of the annual security cooperation drills co-hosted by Thailand and the United States. Cobra Gold kicks off in Thailand in late February 2024 with opening ceremonies, live-fire and medical evacuation training, and…
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Across The Region
Protecting Sea Lines of Communication
The oceans and seas that dominate the Indo-Pacific present a challenge of immense proportions to safeguarding sovereignty and upholding freedom of navigation and commerce — an obstacle that military planners call the “tyranny of distance.” Increasingly, satellites, sensors, uncrewed aerial and surface vessels, and other technologies — combined with comprehensive information-sharing endeavors among like-minded nations — are key to bridging…
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