PM Transcripts

FOR PRESS: PM No. 69/ 1971
TRAINING ASSISTANCE FOR SINGAPORE
Statement by the Pr.' s Minister, Mr. William McMahon
Singapore has recently asked for training assistance in
Australia for certain of its Armed Forces. The Australian Government
has been considering the request this week and, in accordance with its
long-standing policy of assisting the build-up of the defence capabilities
of both Malaysia and Singapore in the Five Power context, has agreed
in principle to allow the use of training facilities.
The Government is proposing that Singapore send a
technical team to Australia to make an on-the-spot evaluation of the
facilities which could be provided and to discuss practical aspects
including logistics and maintenance. Firm details would then be
worked out. The facilities would be provided at existing Australian
defence installations and the types of training under consideration are
field and anti-aircraft artillery, air weapons and armoured vehicles.
CANBERRA 2 July 1971