Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr. Zaqy Mohamad hosts a US congressional delegation at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base, reaffirming strong defence cooperation between Singapore and the United States.
Singapore, 21 February 2025 – Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr. Zaqy Mohamad welcomed a United States (US) congressional delegation, led by Representative Jimmy Panetta (D-California), at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base (CNB). The visit highlighted the deep and long-standing defence ties between Singapore and the US, reinforcing commitments to regional security and multilateral cooperation.
The delegation toured the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Information Fusion Centre and the Counter-Terrorism Information Facility, where they were briefed on RSN operations and Singapore’s initiatives to enhance maritime security and counter-terrorism efforts. The discussions underscored Singapore’s role as a regional security partner, facilitating information-sharing and collaborative responses to emerging threats.
Additionally, the delegation was briefed on Singapore’s continued support for the US regional presence, including the use of facilities and cooperation in military training. As part of their visit, they toured the Littoral Combat Ship USS Gabrielle Giffords, which is berthed at CNB as part of its rotational deployment to Singapore.
During the visit, Mr. Zaqy reaffirmed the strong bilateral defence relationship, expressing appreciation for the US Congress’s continued support for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) overseas training and technological advancements. In response, the congressional delegation expressed gratitude for Singapore’s steadfast support of the US regional presence, particularly in providing access to key facilities and strengthening defence cooperation.
The congressional delegation’s visit, taking place from 19 to 22 February 2025, reflects the enduring and strategic partnership between Singapore and the US in upholding security and stability in the region.
Source: MINDEF
