Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Singapore’s top leaders Friday to strengthen military ties as tensions simmer across the Indo-Pacific region.
The bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing occurred on the sidelines of the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit.
The discussions underscore America’s pivot toward countering China’s growing influence in Southeast Asia. Singapore’s strategic location makes it a crucial partner for Washington’s regional deterrence strategy.
Hegseth emphasized Singapore’s central role in U.S. efforts to re-establish military deterrence throughout the Indo-Pacific. Both sides exchanged views on mounting regional security challenges.
The leaders focused heavily on maintaining what officials call a “free and open Indo-Pacific.” This phrase has become diplomatic shorthand for countering Chinese territorial claims in contested waters.
Still, the talks produced concrete commitments beyond rhetoric. Both nations agreed to expand rotations of American naval and air force assets through Singapore.
These expanded deployments build upon a 1990 agreement governing U.S. military facility usage in the city-state. The arrangement allows American forces to maintain a persistent regional presence without permanent bases.
Hegseth also pledged continued support for training Singapore Armed Forces personnel in the United States. The partnership has deepened military cooperation between the longtime allies for decades.
The meetings reflect broader American efforts to shore up partnerships across Asia amid rising great power competition. Singapore’s modern military and strategic ports offer valuable staging areas for U.S. operations.