Singapore and France expand defence cooperation with three new agreements
Singapore and France have signed three defence agreements to deepen cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced defence technologies.
They were sealed during French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Singapore on May 30, in conjunction with the two countries upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
The three agreements are: a Declaration of Intent (DOI) on Enhanced Defence Cooperation, a Letter of Intent (LOI) on Defence Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, and an amendment to the existing Administrative Arrangement on Defence Technology Cooperation (AADTC).
The DOI sets out the two countries’ commitment to deepen and expand their defence relationship across multiple domains of mutual interest and shared expertise, including in digital defence.
It also forms the foundation for both sides to explore new areas of collaboration, such as in critical and emerging technologies, while recognising the support both countries have provided for each other’s military activities, said Mindef in a statement.
The LOI aims to expand the work of a joint laboratory that Singapore and France set up in April 2023.
The laboratory, which focuses on the use of AI in military applications, exemplifies both sides’ shared goal of involving operational users and industry partners to co-develop solutions to meet battlefield needs and emerging security threats.
