The Department of Defense has entered into a bilateral, non-binding Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) with the Republic of Singapore. The arrangement will enable both the U.S. and Singapore to acquire industrial resources they need to quickly meet defense requirements, resolve unanticipated disruptions that challenge defense capacities, and promote supply chain resiliency.
"This SOSA is an important step forward and further strengthens the relationship between Singapore and the United States," said Dr. William A. LaPlante, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. "By enabling us to better meet supply chain challenges, we also strengthen our respective defense industrial bases."
The SOSA was signed on December 5, 2023 by Dr. LaPlante and Mr. Melvyn Ong, Permanent Secretary (Defence Development), Singapore Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) after details of the SOSA were discussed at the 18th Annual Defense Cooperation Committee (DCC) meeting held in Washington, DC last month. Also, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Singapore's Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen met in Washington, DC on December 6, and discussed the strengthening of the U.S.-Singapore partnership and recent efforts to deepen defense cooperation between both nations through the establishment of the SOSA.
Under the arrangement, the U.S. and Singapore agree to exchange reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defense. It also creates a streamlined mechanism for DoD and Singapore's MINDEF to request expedited industrial resources to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions affecting national security requirements. SOSAs are an important mechanism for DoD to strengthen interoperability and are a proven supply chain tool for enabling a resilient, global defense ecosystem for the U.S. and key partners and allies.
