US, Singapore Forge Defense Technology Partnership

The United States and Singapore have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance cooperation on defense innovation.

The agreement aims to foster closer collaboration on technologies with both commercial and military applications, focusing on maritime security and counter-drone systems, C4ISRNET reported.

Doug Beck, head of the Defense Innovation Unit, signed the agreement for the United States. To encourage innovation, Beck said, the two countries will organize “joint challenges,” where companies from both nations can compete to develop solutions for ship-based counter-drone tech and electronic warfare resilience.

The initiative aligns with the Pentagon’s efforts to partner with Indo-Pacific nations on developing new military technologies.

It follows a similar trilateral effort undertaken by the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia under the AUKUS defense pact, and defense partnerships with India and Japan.

The United States and Singapore will define the goals and criteria of the agreement and then select the appropriate contracting tools for the initiatives.