Singapore’s Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing met with New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC in Auckland to reaffirm the enduring bilateral defence partnership and explore new areas of cooperation.
AUCKLAND, 10 October 2025 – Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing met with New Zealand Minister of Defence Mr Judith Collins KC earlier today in Auckland, New Zealand. The meeting underscored the close and long-standing defence relationship between the two nations, built on decades of mutual trust and collaboration.
During their meeting, both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral and multilateral defence cooperation, following the recent upgrade of diplomatic relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. They discussed ways to expand cooperation into forward-looking areas such as unmanned technologies and defence innovation, reflecting the shared priorities of both countries in adapting to evolving security challenges.
Mr Chan expressed appreciation for New Zealand’s continued support of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) training activities in New Zealand. He highlighted the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) inaugural Orbiter-4 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle training detachment at the Tekapo Military Training Area in April 2025, as well as Exercise Thunder Warrior, which has been held at the Waiouru Military Training Area since 1997. Both Ministers also exchanged views on international and regional security developments of mutual interest.
The meeting reaffirmed the depth of the Singapore–New Zealand defence relationship, which includes a wide range of engagements such as joint exercises, professional exchanges, high-level visits, and cross-attendance of military courses. These sustained interactions have strengthened people-to-people ties and reinforced strategic trust between both defence establishments.
Mr Chan was in Auckland, New Zealand, as part of Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Lawrence Wong’s delegation during his introductory visit to New Zealand from 9 to 11 October 2025.
Source : MINDEF
