Regional army chiefs and sergeant majors reaffirmed cooperation on disaster relief, climate adaptation and advanced technologies.
Singapore hosted the 26th ASEAN Chiefs of Army Multilateral Meeting (ACAMM) and the 13th ASEAN Sergeant Majors Annual Meeting (ASMAM) on 26 November 2025, bringing together senior military leaders from all ASEAN Member States. The meetings continued to serve as key platforms for deepening professional ties and strengthening cooperation on emerging regional security challenges.
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing delivered the keynote address at the joint opening ceremony, held at the Pan Pacific Hotel. He highlighted the increasingly volatile global environment and emphasised the need for ASEAN unity. Stressing the importance of trust and collective preparedness, Mr Chan noted that ASEAN must remain vigilant and work together to build the capabilities required to tackle transnational challenges such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).
Image by Singapore Ministry of Defence
The 26th ACAMM, chaired by Chief of Army Major-General Cai Dexian, featured a multilateral roundtable discussion among ASEAN Army Chiefs. The session addressed climate adaptation, the integration of digital and advanced technologies, and the necessity of closer civil–military coordination during HADR operations. MG Cai reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to enhancing the region’s disaster response efforts, underscoring the role of the Changi Regional HADR Coordination Centre in improving shared situational awareness and facilitating real-time information exchange.
The meeting concluded with the adoption of a Joint Statement titled “Building Regional Cooperation in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR)”. The statement outlined plans to strengthen exchanges and coordination among ASEAN armies, including through enhanced technological integration and Exercise Trident Resolve in 2026—an ADMM-Plus Combined Field Training Exercise involving cyber, HADR and military medicine domains under realistic and complex scenarios.
Ahead of the ACAMM and ASMAM, the 33rd ASEAN Armies Rifle Meet (AARM) took place in Singapore from 18 to 27 November 2025. More than 420 sharpshooters from ASEAN Member States competed across five disciplines. First launched in 1991, the AARM continued to promote professional exchange and camaraderie among regional armies. The closing ceremony will be held at SAFTI Military Institute on 27 November.
Source: Singapore Ministry of Defence
