Minister Ng conveyed Singapore’s in-principle agreement to the U.S. request to forward deploy up to four Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) to Singapore on a rotational basis. Minister Ng and Secretary Panetta noted that both navies will work together to finalize the deployment details and arrangements. The LCS will not be based or homeported in Singapore, and the LCS crew will live on board the LCS for the duration of their deployment. Secretary Panetta reaffirmed that the LCS deployment would strengthen U.S. engagement in the region, through the port calls at regional ports, and engagement of regional navies through activities such as exercises and exchanges.
Singapore has a small but effective military and will be able to join us at sea and with aerial recon over the region.
This will fit well with preparing our Marines to defend or seize small islands in the South China Sea in case of potential or actual conflict.
And interestingly enough, Canada could be our neighbor:
Canada is seeking a deal with Singapore to establish a military staging post there as part of its effort to support the United States' pivot towards Asia to counter a rising China.
Canada has an agreement with Kuwait and Jamaica along those lines, too.
