Chan Chun Sing: Collective Response Key to Countering Emerging Threats

Minister for Defence, Mr Chan Chun Sing is in Germany from 13 to 15 February 2026 (Singapore time) to speak at the 62nd Munich Security Conference (MSC). The MSC is an annual high-level security conference that brings together heads of government, defence and foreign ministers, parliamentarians, military leaders, and security experts from around the world. This year's MSC covers a wide range of topics, such as the future of transatlantic relations, efforts to revitalise multilateralism, competing global order frameworks, regional conflicts, and the security challenges posed by technological developments.

Mr Chan spoke at the MSC Maritime Security Spotlight yesterday, where he highlighted the need for the international community to work together to address emerging challenges, such as the security of Critical Underwater Infrastructure (CUI), and for militaries around the world to explore best practices to safeguard these vital networks. He said, "Maritime security affects the whole world because our supply chains are so interconnected. An attack on one part of the system is an attack on all of us. It behoves us to work together to try to counter such threats as a group rather than as individuals." Alongside Mr Chan on the panel were Chairman, Presidential Leadership Council, Republic of Yemen, Rashad Mohamed Ali Al-Alimi, Secretary-General, Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Kao Kim Hourn and Secretary-General, European External Action Service, Belén Martínez Carbonell.

On the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference, Mr Chan called on German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius. The two defence ministers reaffirmed the strong and substantive defence relations between Singapore and Germany, and Mr Chan expressed appreciation for the German Federal Ministry of Defence's support for the SAF's training in Germany.

Mr Chan also met with Estonia Minister of Defence Hanno Pevkur, Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Netherlands Minister of Defence Ruben Brekelmans, Malaysia Minister of Defence Mohamed Khaled bin Nordin and US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby.

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Remarks by Minister for Defence, Mr Chan Chun Sing, at the Munich Security Conference 2026 Maritime Security Spotlight on 13 Feb 2026