India to provide naval facilities to Singapore
India will be providing naval practice and logistics facilities to Singapore, which among other things will allow the country to hold live-firing drills in the Andamans. The bilateral naval agreement is similar to the agreements previously signed by India with Singapore's army and air force. The agreement is expected to be signed during Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen's ongoing visit to New Delhi.
Singapore's defense minister hails "impressive" Tejas fighter jet
On November 28, Singapore Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen became the first foreign civilian to fly in India's indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). "It is an excellent aircraft and it is very impressive," Hen said after he took a half-hour flight on a two-seater Tejas at India's Kalaikunda airbase. Sources said Singapore had earlier evinced interest in the Tejas aircraft.
Why Singapore depends on Indian military facilities
Land and airspace are a scarce commodity in Singapore. India and Singapore have signed special agreements in 2007 and 2008 allowing the city-state to utilize Indian military facilities. Singaporean army mechanized forces conduct exercises at Babina, UP, and artillery at Deolali, Maharashtra. Singaporean air force F-16 fighter jets are also stationed at Kalaikunda airbase in West Bengal.
India looking to boost defense ties with ASEAN countries
Hen will be holding delegation-level talks with Indian Defense Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at the South Block, New Delhi, today. His visit comes as India attempts to deepen military ties with south-east Asian countries such as Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, in the face of China's growing regional presence. India is particularly looking to increase defense exports to these countries.
