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I thought the Jews were our closest security partner. Followed by Brunei, and than maybe ROC. So much SAF doctrine is written by the jews, and even equipment purchase has their input. This has gone on for 4 decades or more. How can it be the US? Unless Bargain does not know or realise who is his closest bed partner.
United States closest defence partner of Singapore
Exchanges with China 'qualitatively different'
Published on Apr 7, 2012
By Chua Chin Hon, US Bureau Chief
WASHINGTON - Singapore has begun building closer defence ties with China, using a familiar template of joint exercises and mutual exchanges that is common to most military-to-military relations.
But the relationship remains 'qualitatively different' from the one with the United States (US), which is based on a longer history and shared perspectives on a range of regional issues, said visiting Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
The US has also been instrumental in helping to build up and hone the Singapore Armed Forces' capabilities over the years - a role he did not foresee being replaced by other countries.
Background story
On military ties with China and regional security
In an interview with The Straits Times on Thursday, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen discussed a wide range of security and defence concerns. Here are some excerpts:
Is the new Chinese aircraft carrier a game changer for the region?
'I wouldn't restrict comments on China's modernisation on a single facet because modern militaries have a wide array of platforms. My view is that as countries grow economically, it is expected, even inevitable, that they would modernise their militaries.
'What we don't want to see obviously is an escalated arms race... that won't do us any good.'
What sort of long-term military relationship would Singapore have with China? Is it foreseeable that it might become similar in scope to the partnership with the US?
'We are building military-to-military ties with China and there is a template that militaries have that we are starting on. But it is qualitatively different from (the relationship with) the US.
'The US, I would say, is our closest security partner. I don't see any country displacing the US. There are just not that many militaries with the kind of capabilities the US has, and even if there were, we have such a long history with the US, where we built up trust and shared perspectives. So realistically speaking, no.'
What would the ideal regional security architecture look like?
'The better question is, what do you want the architecture to achieve? And we want it to be a platform for dialogue, and for practical cooperation that would lead to mutual understanding.'
But can multilateral meetings resolve what is at heart a series of bilateral mistrusts between key players?
'Are you better off with or without (the multilateral meetings)? And what are the alternatives? The (multilateral meetings) may not always function efficiently and expeditiously, but that's par for the course.'
'The US, I would say, is our closest security partner and I don't see any country displacing the US as that,' the minister said in a wide-ranging interview with The Straits Times.
United States closest defence partner of Singapore
Exchanges with China 'qualitatively different'
Published on Apr 7, 2012
By Chua Chin Hon, US Bureau Chief
WASHINGTON - Singapore has begun building closer defence ties with China, using a familiar template of joint exercises and mutual exchanges that is common to most military-to-military relations.
But the relationship remains 'qualitatively different' from the one with the United States (US), which is based on a longer history and shared perspectives on a range of regional issues, said visiting Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
The US has also been instrumental in helping to build up and hone the Singapore Armed Forces' capabilities over the years - a role he did not foresee being replaced by other countries.
Background story
On military ties with China and regional security
In an interview with The Straits Times on Thursday, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen discussed a wide range of security and defence concerns. Here are some excerpts:
Is the new Chinese aircraft carrier a game changer for the region?
'I wouldn't restrict comments on China's modernisation on a single facet because modern militaries have a wide array of platforms. My view is that as countries grow economically, it is expected, even inevitable, that they would modernise their militaries.
'What we don't want to see obviously is an escalated arms race... that won't do us any good.'
What sort of long-term military relationship would Singapore have with China? Is it foreseeable that it might become similar in scope to the partnership with the US?
'We are building military-to-military ties with China and there is a template that militaries have that we are starting on. But it is qualitatively different from (the relationship with) the US.
'The US, I would say, is our closest security partner. I don't see any country displacing the US. There are just not that many militaries with the kind of capabilities the US has, and even if there were, we have such a long history with the US, where we built up trust and shared perspectives. So realistically speaking, no.'
What would the ideal regional security architecture look like?
'The better question is, what do you want the architecture to achieve? And we want it to be a platform for dialogue, and for practical cooperation that would lead to mutual understanding.'
But can multilateral meetings resolve what is at heart a series of bilateral mistrusts between key players?
'Are you better off with or without (the multilateral meetings)? And what are the alternatives? The (multilateral meetings) may not always function efficiently and expeditiously, but that's par for the course.'
'The US, I would say, is our closest security partner and I don't see any country displacing the US as that,' the minister said in a wide-ranging interview with The Straits Times.
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