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Singaporean Minister for Defense Chan Chun Sing receives General Nguyen Tan Cuong. |
Following the reception, General Nguyen Tan Cuong paid a courtesy call on Singaporean Minister for Defense Chan Chun Sing. The host praised bilateral defense cooperation and highlighted ASEAN’s central role in maintaining regional peace, voicing confidence in fruitful talks between both military chiefs.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong speaks at the talks. |
General Nguyen Tan Cuong conveyed greetings from General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Viet Nam, to Minister Chan Chun Sing, inviting the minister to visit Viet Nam soon.
Highlighting bilateral milestones, General Nguyen Tan Cuong recalled elevating ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025, General Secretary and President To Lam’s state visit and Shangri-La Dialogue keynote address in May 2026, and the first Party-to-Party Strategic Dialogue in August 2026.
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Vice Admiral Aaron Beng speaks at the talks. |
He emphasized that both nations share strategic interests and dedication to regional peace and prosperity, urging military ties to remain an effective, foundational pillar of the partnership.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong affirmed Viet Nam’s support for Singapore’s 2027 ASEAN Chairmanship, commended its critical underwater infrastructure security initiative, and sought support for Viet Nam and India co-chairing the ADMM-Plus Cybersecurity Experts’ Working Group (2027-2030).
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An overview of the talks between the two delegations |
He thanked Singapore’s defense ministry and armed forces for sending a senior delegation to the third Viet Nam Defense Expo in late 2026, welcoming participating Singaporean defense enterprises.
During their talks, General Nguyen Tan Cuong and Vice Admiral Aaron Beng agreed on measures to carry out high-level pacts, focusing on delegation exchanges, service-to-service links, military training, cybersecurity, maritime security, search and rescue, and military medicine.
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Vice Admiral Aaron Beng presents a souvenir to General Nguyen Tan Cuong. |
General Nguyen Tan Cuong praised Singapore’s modern defense capabilities, equipment, and digital transformation, noting strong commonalities for deepening ties.
Both chiefs noted robust political trust and regular high-level contacts, highlighting joint training, dialogues, naval ship visits, and bilateral defense initiatives.
Recent milestones include a 2025 joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief tabletop exercise and the September 2026 cybersecurity cooperation agreement.
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Lieutenant General Vu Huu Hanh holds a bilateral meeting with the Commander of Singapore’s Cyber Command. |
Looking forward, General Nguyen Tan Cuong proposed expanding existing mechanisms, institute research links, and initiatives on cyberspace conduct rules and conflict management.
In training, he encouraged ties between Viet Nam’s Department of Military Training and School Management and its Singaporean counterpart, welcoming Singaporean English instructors to Vietnamese military schools.
On cybersecurity, he urged active execution of the signed agreement and reiterated the bid to co-chair the ADMM-Plus working group with India.
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Rear Admiral Le Ba Quan holds working discussions with the Chief of the Republic of Singapore Navy. |
He also proposed expanding cooperation into chemical, biological, and radiological defense, artificial intelligence applications, tropical medicine, and defense industry production.
Vice Admiral Aaron Beng endorsed General Nguyen Tan Cuong’s proposals, affirming Singapore’s readiness to cooperate in new fields and seeking continued mutual support during its 2027 ASEAN Chairmanship.
Addressing regional security, both sides emphasized solidarity against traditional and non-traditional threats amid technological shifts.
General Nguyen Tan Cuong reiterated Viet Nam’s commitment to peaceful dispute resolution under international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS, prioritizing maritime and aviation safety.
Both sides expressed confidence in substantive future defense ties. General Nguyen Tan Cuong invited Vice Admiral Aaron Beng and his spouse to visit Viet Nam, which the host accepted.
Earlier, Lieutenant General Vu Huu Hanh, Commander of Command 86, met with Singapore’s Cyber Command and ACICE leadership, while Rear Admiral Le Ba Quan, Deputy Commander of the Viet Nam People’s Navy, met with the Chief of the Republic of Singapore Navy.
Translated by Tran Hoai