UK Strengthens Cyber Defence Cooperation Across Asia-Pacific Region
Summary
UK Strategic Command participated in the third Digital Defence Symposium in Singapore, hosted by ASEAN's ACICE. Over 300 senior defence officials, academics, and industry experts from 35 countries discussed cybersecurity, AI integration, and military interoperability. The UK reaffirmed its commitment to NATO-first defence while strengthening regional partnerships with ASEAN Dialogue Partners.
What changed
UK Strategic Command participated in the third Digital Defence Symposium (DDS) in Singapore, hosted by ASEAN's ACICE. The event brought together over 300 senior defence officials, academics, and industry experts from 35 countries to discuss cybersecurity developments, emerging technologies, and geopolitical challenges. UK representatives, including Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes, joined counterparts from Singapore and Japan on panels discussing investment in digital military capabilities and AI integration with human judgement.
For defence organizations and government agencies, this symposium highlights the increasing importance of multinational cyber defence cooperation and interoperability. While the UK reaffirmed its NATO-first approach, the event underscores that effective cyber defence requires strengthening regional partnerships globally. Organizations involved in defence technology or cybersecurity may wish to monitor developments in multilateral defence cooperation initiatives.
What to do next
- Monitor for updates on UK cyber defence partnerships
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Apr 16, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
News story
UK strengthens cyber defence cooperation across Asia-Pacific region
Senior defence officials gathered in Singapore on cyber security and emerging technologies.
From: Strategic Command Published 25 July 2025
Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes addressing the symposium.
MOD Crown Copyright
Cyber-attacks know no borders, and with the transnational nature of digital threats evolving we must work with allies to keep Britain safe.
The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) Cybersecurity and Information Centre of Excellence (ACICE) hosted the third Digital Defence Symposium (DDS) in Singapore, bringing together more than 300 senior defence officials, academics, industry experts and international partners from across 35 countries and organisations, to discuss the latest developments in the cybersecurity and information domains, amid challenges presented by emerging technologies and rising geopolitical tensions.
ACICE was established in June 2021, aiming to connect ASEAN countries and other international partners to enhance multilateral cooperation in defence against cyberattacks, disinformation and misinformation. This is achieved through information sharing, and raising awareness and knowledge of potential threats, trends and developments in the cybersecurity and information domains.
Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes and Major General Yi-Jin Lee, Chief Digital and Intelligence Service. MOD Crown Copyright
At the symposium, the ‘Building Effective Digital Military Forces’ panel saw representatives from the UK, Singapore and Japan – including our Deputy Commander, Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes – discuss how investment, such as training, doctrine, structure, or equipment, can build a capable force that is ready to respond to digital threats.
As collaboration becomes increasingly paramount to defend against modern threats, leaders shared insight into how militaries can use multinational operations and alliances to enhance interoperability and counter digital threats. They also covered how artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, and cyber capabilities can ethically be integrated with human judgement and resilience to create a strong, warfighting ready force.
The Strategic Defence Review outlined a need to align capabilities and defence priorities. As the Command responsible for defending the UK in cyberspace and leading on integrating cyber effects into operational planning, we must work in partnership with our allies and partners to achieve this and continue to put NATO first. However, as this conference has demonstrated, prioritising NATO does not mean focusing solely on it – it also involves strengthening our regional partnerships around the globe.
This symposium offered a platform to do so, ensuring our strong international partnerships within the region, as an ASEAN Dialogue Partner, and wider keep us ahead of our adversaries in an ever-contested digital landscape.
Attorney Odessa Rossilyz L. Magisa, Officer-in-Charge of the Office for Department for National Defence Information Security and Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes. MOD Crown Copyright
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Published 25 July 2025
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