Australian Defence Force to Participate in Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2011

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will participate in Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2011, a major military exercise with Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the successful FPDA, illustrating the long-term commitment of the founding members to regional stability and defence to defence cooperation.

To mark this important milestone, Minister Smith will attend the 40th Anniversary FPDA Defence Ministers Meeting in Singapore next month.

Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2011 will be conducted by the FPDA member countries in various locations on the Malaysian Peninsula and in the South China Sea from 17 October to 4 November 2011.

Chief of Joint Operations Command, Lieutenant General Ash Power said the FPDA provides the ADF with the opportunity to develop relationships with important security partners while reinforcing Australia’s long-term commitment to regional peace and prosperity.

“The FPDA continues to be an integral part of the regional security architecture because of its ability to remain relevant to the needs of its members by adapting to the changing security environment,” Lieutenant General Power said.

“Since the FPDA’s formation the scope of its activities has expanded from air defence to the development of joint capabilities, which has helped to develop greater interoperability among the armed forces of member nations,” Lieutenant General Power said.

Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2011 will involve a total of 68 aircraft, 19 ships, 2 submarines and various support elements.

Australia’s contribution to the exercise includes Air Force multi-role F/A-18 Hornets, two Minehunters, a Replenishment ship and a Collins Class submarine.

The Commander of the ADF forces, Brigadier Chris Hamilton, said BERSAMA LIMA aims to enhance the interoperability of the combined air, ground and naval forces of the FPDA countries to conduct combined and joint warfare activities.

“BERSAMA LIMA also explores opportunities to incorporate Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief capacity building,” Brigadier Hamilton said.

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Source: navy, October 20, 2011