Latest news with #ExerciseBersamaLima
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Singapore defence minister meets counterparts from Five-Power defence nations, other defence ministers
Britain's Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Tony Radakin arrives for a doorstop interview at the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Chiefs' Conference in Singapore May 29, 2025. Defence ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) reaffirmed their countries' commitment to the grouping's role in regional security during a meeting hosted by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on May 31. - Reuters SINGAPORE: Defence ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) reaffirmed their countries' commitment to the grouping's role in regional security during a meeting hosted by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on May 31. Chan hosted breakfast for Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, United Kingdom Minister of State (Minister for the House of Lords) Lord Vernon Coaker, New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC and Malaysian Minister of Defence Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, which took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. At the meeting, a regular feature of the security forum, the ministers commended the grouping's progress in implementing their nations' guidance to raise the complexity of FPDA exercises to stay relevant to current security challenges. The 2024 edition of the FPDA's Exercise Bersama Lima (XBL24) saw the inaugural participation of fifth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-35 fighter jets from Australia and the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft from New Zealand. 'Looking ahead, the Ministers look forward to the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group's participation in XBL25, which would be a milestone achievement for the FPDA, and reaffirm the importance of committing high-end assets to FPDA exercises to enhance their professional value,' said Singapore's Ministry of Defence in a statement. The ministers also affirmed the continued strategic relevance of the FPDA as a constructive, transparent and peaceful defence arrangement that supports regional security architecture, it added. Formed in 1971, the FPDA brings together Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in a consultative security framework. The arrangement was established in the wake of the British military withdrawal from South-East Asia, providing a platform for defence cooperation and consultation. Mindef said that the FPDA continues to play a key role in promoting regional cooperation through regular exercises, dialogues and platforms for sharing professional knowledge and experiences. As part of his bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Chan met Japan Minister of Defence Nakatani Gen on May 31. han welcomed Nakatani, who had attended the inaugural edition of the forum in 2002, back to the dialogue. As the country coordinator for Asean-Japan dialogue relations, Chan reiterated Singapore's commitment to work closely with Japan to enhance regional peace and security, including through the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), Mindef said. Both ministers also reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Japan, and discussed strengthening defence cooperation to tackle shared challenges, such as through cyber exchanges and enhancing research and collaboration in defence technology. The Shangri-La Dialogue is taking place in Singapore from May 30 to June 1, bringing together defence ministers, military chiefs and security experts from around the world to discuss key security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Chan Chun Sing meets counterparts from Five-Power defence nations, other defence ministers
(Clockwise, from second left) Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing hosted breakfast for Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, United Kingdom Minister of State (Minister for the House of Lords) Lord Vernon Coaker, New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC and Malaysian Minister of Defence Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM SINGAPORE – Defence ministers from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) reaffirmed their countries' commitment to the grouping's role in regional security during a meeting hosted by Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on May 31. Mr Chan hosted breakfast for Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, United Kingdom Minister of State (Minister for the House of Lords) Lord Vernon Coaker, New Zealand Minister of Defence Judith Collins KC, and Malaysian Minister of Defence Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, which took place on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue. At the meeting, a regular feature of the security forum, the ministers commended the grouping's progress in implementing their nations' guidance to raise the complexity of FPDA exercises to stay relevant to current security challenges. The 2024 edition of the FPDA's Exercise Bersama Lima (XBL24) saw the inaugural participation of fifth-generation fighter aircraft, including F-35 fighter jets from Australia and the P-8 maritime patrol aircraft from New Zealand. 'Looking ahead, the Ministers look forward to the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group's participation in XBL25, which would be a milestone achievement for the FPDA, and reaffirm the importance of committing high-end assets to FPDA exercises to enhance their professional value,' said Singapore's Ministry of Defence in a statement. The ministers also affirmed the continued strategic relevance of the FPDA as a constructive, transparent and peaceful defence arrangement that supports regional security architecture, it added. Formed in 1971, the FPDA brings together Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom in a consultative security framework. The arrangement was established in the wake of the British military withdrawal from South-east Asia, providing a platform for defence cooperation and consultation. Mindef said that the FPDA continues to play a key role in promoting regional cooperation through regular exercises, dialogues and platforms for sharing professional knowledge and experiences. As part of his bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Mr Chan met Japan Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen on May 31. Mr Chan welcomed Mr Nakatani, who had attended the inaugural edition of the forum in 2002, back to the dialogue. As the country coordinator for Asean-Japan dialogue relations, Mr Chan reiterated Singapore's commitment to work closely with Japan to enhance regional peace and security, including through the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), Mindef said. Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing (right) meeting Japan Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 31. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH Both ministers also reaffirmed the warm and friendly bilateral defence relationship between Singapore and Japan, and discussed strengthening defence cooperation to tackle shared challenges, such as through cyber exchanges and enhancing research and collaboration in defence technology. The Shangri-La Dialogue is taking place in Singapore from May 30 to June 1, bringing together defence ministers, military chiefs and security experts from around the world to discuss key security issues in the Asia-Pacific region. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- General
- South China Morning Post
Australian F-35s, UK carrier strike group to feature in Five Power Defence drills
Australia 's stealth fighter jets and a British aircraft carrier will take part in the major warfighting exercise of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) later this year, defence chiefs from the five-nation pact said on Thursday, as the group aims to enhance its preparedness in an increasingly competitive region. Advertisement The annual Exercise Bersama Lima will showcase 'a range of high-end, war-fighting exercises' and involve 'advanced assets such as the F-35s from the Australian Air Force as well as the UK aircraft carrier,' said vice-admiral Aaron Beng, Singapore's defence chief, after chairing a conference of defence chiefs from the five countries. New Zealand , Established in 1971 following Britain's military withdrawal from east of the Suez Canal, the FPDA, the world's second-oldest military pact, comprises Australia, Malaysia Singapore , and the UK. Its original purpose was to help defend former colonies Malaysia and Singapore during a period of regional instability, and its members are obliged to consult each other in the event of an armed attack. Beng's Australian counterpart, Admiral David Johnston, called the F-35s a core capability of Australia's defence and welcomed opportunities for collaborative training to strengthen relationships. 'In part, some of the capabilities change, but it's equally important that the people who are the core of those capabilities continue to come into the region and be part of the training environment,' said Johnston. Advertisement Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom Admiral Tony Radakin said that the last time a UK aircraft carrier was involved in an FPDA exercise was in 1997.
