Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Minister for Defence Chan Chung Sing on May 29, 2026, during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, reaffirming the robust bilateral defense partnership.
The discussions underscored Singapore's central role in supporting U.S. efforts to enhance deterrence in the region. Both leaders advanced key commitments to expand U.S. naval and air force rotational deployments in Singapore, aligning with the 1990 Memorandum of Understanding Regarding United States Use of Facilities in Singapore.
These expanded deployments are intended to help preserve peace in the region. Secretary Hegseth also reiterated the U.S. commitment to providing advanced training for the Singapore Armed Forces in the United States.