Assessment of US-Indonesia Major Defense Cooperation Partnership and Implications for Singapore's Long-term Strategic Interests and Regional Stability

Mr Yip Hon Weng asked the Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence (a) what is the Ministry's assessment of the US-Indonesia Major Defense Cooperation Partnership; (b) how does this development alter the Indo-Pacific security posture; and (c) what are the implications of this evolving regional defense landscape for Singapore's long-term strategic interests and regional stability.

All countries seek to develop mutually beneficial partnerships, and the United States-Indonesia Major Defence Cooperation Partnership is one such example. In a fast-evolving geopolitical landscape, it is to be expected that all countries, including Singapore, will look to entrench their relevance and expand collaboration with their partners of choice.

Singapore will continue to actively engage and seek to make common cause with as many countries as possible, to forge overlapping circles of friends. Over the years, this approach has helped us to foster mutually beneficial relations and engage in constructive defence partnerships. We believe that doing so will contribute to peace and stability for our region.