Ships get underway for sea phase of Bersama Lima 16

Navy ships departed the Singaporean Sembawang Naval Base today to begin the naval component of exercise Bersama Lima 16, the Royal Australian Navy announced.

The ships will operate out of the South China Sea for the next two weeks for maritime field training exercises.

The at-sea phase will involve 71 aircraft, 11 ships, 1 submarine and 5 ground based air defense fire units.

Bersama Lima involves the military forces from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom operating together under the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

Signed in 1971, the Five Power Defence Arrangements provide a framework for defense co-operation between the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore.

The defense chiefs of the FPD member nations met in Singapore in October this year for the FPDA 45th anniversary celebrations, which will mark 45 years of commitment and cooperation among member nations.