'Five Power Defence Arrangements' members in joint exercise at South China Sea

KUALA LUMPUR – More than 2,300 military personnel from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) countries, namely Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom, are participating in Bersama Lima 2023 (BL23) Exercise from October 2 to 20.

The Public Affairs Division of the Joint Force Headquarters in a statement today informed that the BL23 opening ceremony was officiated by Singapore’s Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Aaron Beng Yao Cheng at the Joint Warfare Centre, Camp Al-Sultan Abdullah, Joint Force Headquarters in Kuantan today.

"This BL23 Exercise is carried out as a Field Training Exercise (FTX) in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, including the waters and air space of Malaysia's Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea.

"It is an annual Joint Exercise of the FPDA Armed Forces," it said.

According to the statement, the Malaysian Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Ab Rahman was given the honour of pinning the BL23 badge on the representatives of the Armed Forces of the FPDA countries.

"The pinning of the badge marks the official start of the BL23 Exercise, which involves seven warships, 40 aircraft of various types and several land assets belonging to FPDA countries.,” it said, adding that Brig Gen Muhammad Taha Hamdan had been appointed as director of the exercise.

The Bersama Lima exercise is carried out yearly by the armed forces of Malaysia and Singapore on a rotational basis, to train the capabilities of FPDA defence forces in organising, planning and conducting operations at the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) level, specialising in combined and joint tactical integration in a multi-threat environment.

Also present at the opening ceremony of the BL23 Exercise were the Australian Chief of the Defence Force General Angus John Campbell, New Zealand Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin R. Short, the United Kingdom’s Vice Chief of the Defence Staff General Gwyn Jenkins and Malaysian Army Chief General Datuk Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan. – Bernama, October 5, 2023