Exercise Bersama Lima begins – APDR

A contingent of around 400 ADF personnel will work closely with members of the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA) during Exercise Bersama Lima 2024, which has begun in Malaysia and Singapore. The contingent will work with partner nations throughout the exercise to train air, land and naval forces to support the coordinated defense of Malaysia and Singapore.

Established in 1971, the FPDA is a defense agreement between the nations of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The exercise also marks the ADF's first use of Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft and a Royal Australian Navy clearance diving team as part of an FPDA exercise.

Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said Australia's commitment to the exercise demonstrated an unwavering investment in the FPDA. “The ADF’s contribution to Bersama Lima supports our continued shared vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” said Vice Admiral Jones. “The deployment of a significant Royal Australian Air Force capability alongside Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy units demonstrates Australia’s commitment to collective security in our region.”

Australian contingent commander Major Mark Tamblyn said Bersama Lima was a valuable opportunity to work with FPDA partners. “The contingent looks forward to working closely with our FPDA partners, strengthening people-to-people connections that have existed for more than five decades while enhancing our interoperability,” said Major Tamblyn. “The deployment of Air Force F-35As and the Navy’s Clearance Diver Team is a significant achievement in our ongoing effort to improve the realism and complexity of training and build capacity within the FPDA.”

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