As part of its commitment to the region the US ASEAN Business Council established the Defense & Security Working Group in 2002. Under the leadership of Northrop Grumman, the working group gives particular focus to building broader and deeper support for U.S. industry market development efforts in a range of ASEAN’s defense and security markets. The working group also provides a vehicle for a range of U.S. companies with defense and security related products and services to promote a balanced mutual security agenda with economic growth, trade and development by creating formal channels of dialogue, informal communication, and partnering opportunities with key US and ASEAN decision-makers.

The coming year promises to bring opportunities for members in growth segments of the defense and “homeland” security industries. The defense export market in the region is expected to grow to $70 billion over the next two years and will be one of the most competitive defense markets in the world. Nations in the region are re-adjusting their defense paradigms in reaction to the evolution of the US security footprint in Asia and increasing spending in homeland security areas to combat terrorism. Strong economic growth in the region also means that several ASEAN nations will have resources to finance procurement efforts and make force structure changes. As members of the Council, companies within the Defense and Security Working Group have a collection of world class capabilities, technologies and a commitment to ASEAN. The Working Group stands ready to support ASEAN's defense, homeland and trade security agendas and the Defense and Security companies work towards the following objectives:

1. Establishing lines of communications between the US private sector companies and key defense and security decision makers in ASEAN.
2. Deepening our understanding of each nation's perspective on their defense and security priorities, goals, objectives and challenges.
3. Exploring ways of collectively promoting greater cooperation between US defense and security related companuis and each nation.

To learn more about the Council's Defense & Security Working Group, please contact:
Mai-Lan Ha
Coordinator, Defense & Security Working Group
Manager, Vietnam Affairs
mha@usasean.org

Please contact Mai-Lan Ha at mha@usasean.org for upcoming Defense & Security Working Group event in the works.

more upcoming events

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  Officials to Discuss Security of Regional Waters KBS Global, August 28

 Vietnam, Indonesia see positive defense development ThanhNien, August 26

 Southeast Asian Nations Conduct Anti-Terror Naval Exercise Southeast Asian nations conduct anti-terror naval exercise Southeast Asian nations conduct anti-terror naval exercise Xinhua, August 21

  Singapore takes part in sea anti-terror drill AsiaOne, August 19

 Afghanistan alliance boosts defence pact with Singapore Canberra Times, August 12

Secretary Gates's Remarks
at the Shangri-la Dialogue

Singapore
May 31, 2008

Click here for Secretary Robert Gates, Department of Defense, Speech at the Shangri-La Conference in Singapore, May 31, 2008

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2007 Defense & Security Working Group Business Mission

Jakarta, Singapore, Hanoi
October 29 - November 2, 2007

The US-ASEAN Business Council concluded its third Defense and Security Mission on November 2nd, 2007 after stops in Jakarta, Singapore, and Hanoi. The member companies met with government and think tank officials in the three countries. In all, the delegation included representatives from four companies, including ITT Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, Oracle, and Northrup Grumman. The mission was co-led by Donald Vance of Northrup Grumman and Matthew Daley, President of the US-ASEAN Business Council. For copy of the Mission report, click here (Council members only). Above: Top: The delegation at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam. Below: Council President Matt Daley (left) led the discussion with H.E. Hoang Trung Hai, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam.

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