Australia, Singapore and Malaysia conducted Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2014 in South China Sea last month.
Warships from the three nations were split into two opposing task groups. Anzac class frigate HMAS Stuart formed part of ‘Blue Force’ along with the Republic of Singaporean Navy ships RSS Formidable and Victory and the Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD Kasturi up against an opposing ‘Red Force’.
During a fortnight period the task groups conducted multiple independent activities including anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises as well as seamanship evolutions off the coast of Singapore and Malaysia.
The phase culminated in the task groups facing off in a 48-hour ‘freeplay’ event. Blue Force emerged as final victors securing the Red Force late in the second day with a well coordinated over-the-horizon missile engagement. A combined task force anti-air warfare serial wrapped the fortnight’s activities.
Stuart’s Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Warren Bechly said that BERSAMA LIMA 14 presented an excellent opportunity to work with a large number of aircraft in a multi-threat environment.
The at-sea-phase of BERSAMA LIMA 14 was also judged a great success and expands on Navy’s experience operating in South East Asian waters as well as building strong professional links between the participating nations.
Personnel exchanges between the warships or ‘cross decking’ enabled members of Stuart to experience daily life on board ships of other Navies in our region and to interact with their crews.
Stuart returns home to Fleet Base East Sydney this week after completing her taskings for Operation RESOLUTE, Exercise KAKADU and Exercise SINGAROO.
BERSAMA LIMA 2014 is major tactical Command Post Exercise and Field Training Exercise held in the Singapore, Malaysia and the South China Sea and is aimed at enhancing interoperability and strengthen the professional relationships between the Five Power Defence Arrangements nations of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
[mappress mapid=”14397″]
Press release, Image: Australian Navy