Brunei and the US are eyeing a state partnership programme (SPP) that would link their militaries and boost security cooperation, the media reported on Monday.
Mark Dillon, vice commander of the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), said that Brunei expressed interest in joining the programme, as both sides seek closer engagement towards addressing security challenges in line with Washington's rebalance in Asia.
"We are trying to facilitate that, as partnerships are important to us," Xinhua quoted him as saying.
He pointed out the SPP, managed by the US National Guard, is one of the initiatives of US Department of Defence to strengthen joint security cooperation.
Under the programme, the US works with partner militaries to strengthen shared defences through capacity building activities.