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A multinational response to a regional security threat is the focus of the latest military exercise to involve all three services of the Australian Defence Force.
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This year, 750 ADF personnel will participate in Bersama Lima 18 conducted in Malaysia, Singapore and over the South China Sea from 2 to 19 October 2018. The exercise involves member nations of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA): Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the UK.
Chief of Joint Operations, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, said the FPDA was one of the ADF’s most enduring regional relationships, and exercises such as Bersama Lima contributed directly to regional security and stability.
The ADF commitment to Bersama Lima is significant and includes nine Royal Australian Air Force Hornet fighters, a P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, a KC-30 refuelling tanker, an E-7A Wedgetail and a B-350 Kingair aircraft, HMA Ships Stuart and Sirius, as well as a platoon of Australian Army soldiers from Rifle Company Butterworth.
Commander of the Australian Contingent, Group Captain Nicholas Pratt, said Bersama Lima would again prove invaluable in terms of building both interoperability with regional militaries and the realistic training scenarios involved.
"This exercise will include a field training element, live fire serials as well as a command post exercise that will test the operability of Australian maritime, land and air elements," GPCAPT Pratt said.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
