SINGAPORE - Former Australian Secretary of Defence Dennis James Richardson received Singapore's highest military award, the Darjah Utama Bakti Cemerlang (Tentera), at the Istana on Thursday (June 8).

President Tony Tan Keng Yam presented Mr Richardson with the award, also known as the Distinguished Service Order (Military), for his significant contributions towards strengthening the close and long-standing defence relations between Australia and Singapore, said a statement from the Defence Ministry.

For instance, he strongly supported the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) training in Australia, and played a key role in deepening the defence aspect of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed in 2015 to enhance cooperation between the two countries in trade and economics, foreign affairs, defence and security, as well as people-to-people ties.

Mr Richardson also supported both countries' cooperation in multilateral platforms such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements, the Shangri-La Dialogue, and the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus).

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Permanent Secretary for Defence Chan Yeng Kit, as well as senior government officials and military officers from Singapore and Australia attended the ceremony.

Mr Richardson, who is in Singapore from Wednesday to Friday, also called on Dr Ng and Mr Chan at the Defence Ministry.