Top military award conferred on Australian Chief of the Defence Force

Wednesday 13 February 2013

Press release from the Singaporean Government

Australian Defence Force (ADF) Chief of the Defence Force General (GEN) David John Hurley was conferred Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera) [Distinguished Service Order (Military)], by President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Istana on Friday afternoon.

The Distinguished Service Order (Military) medal was presented to GEN Hurley for his significant contributions in forging excellent defence ties between the ADF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Under GEN Hurley’s leadership, the defence cooperation between the two armed forces has grown deeper and stronger. GEN Hurley provided strong support for the SAF’s deployment in Afghanistan and promoted bilateral exercises and multilateral interactions under the Five Power Defence Arrangements. GEN Hurley also championed closer military to military interactions through new professional exchange programmes such as the SAF-ADF Alumni Programme. These interactions and initiatives have fostered mutual understanding and camaraderie between the personnel of the two armed forces. GEN Hurley’s strong personal support for the SAF’s training in Australia has provided the space for realistic and challenging training which in turn enhanced the operational readiness of the SAF.

Guests at the investiture included Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, Permanent Secretary for Defence Mr Chiang Chie Foo, Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Neo Kian Hong, as well as senior government officials and military officers from Australia and Singapore.

As part of his visit, GEN Hurley also called on Dr Ng and LG Neo at the Ministry of Defence before the investiture.

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