KUANTAN, 6 NOV – Exercises conducted under the Five-Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) signified their remarkability and enduring significance, in a world characterised by continuous evolution.
Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohammad Abdul Rahman said that the FPDA had evolved from defence-centric activities into a wider collaboration with other government agencies and non-government organisations, particularly for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercises.
“Throughout this journey, the FPDA has steadfastly adhered to its founding principle that unity fosters strength – meaning we will continue to confront every future challenge together.
“We will also cultivate stronger inter-personal relationships, heighten our awareness and share our commitment to achieve our common objectives,” Mohammad said at the conclusion of the ‘Exercise Bersama Lima 2023’ at the Joint Warfare Centre, Al-Sultan Abdullah Camp, Joint Forces Headquarters in Kuantan, Pahang.
His speech was read by Joint Force commander Lieutenant-General Datuk Noor Mohamad Akmar Mohd Dom.
Mohammad firmly believed that the exercise participants had strengthened their bonds of camaraderie.
“Hence, in this context of unity, the FPDA has become a significant and a pre-eminent organisation in this region.
“My heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for your remarkable contributions.
“Your tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed and they have played an essential role in the success of ‘Exercise Bersama Lima 2023’.
“May you carry the invaluable lessons acquired here with you for the next edition in Singapore (in 2024),” said Mohammad.
‘Exercise Bersama Lima’ is an annual joint exercise between the Armed Forces of the FPDA nations – Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
A Joint Force Headquarters statement said that the exercise was conducted through the Command Post Exercise (CPX) and Field Training Exercise (FTX) format from October 2-20 over land, sea and air in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore – including within Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone in the South China Sea.
The exercise involved more than 1,800 members of the military from all three branches of service from the army, air force and navy.
A total of seven warships, 40 aircraft of various types and several land assets belonging to the FPDA countries were also involved.
“The exercise was intended to train the capabilities of FPDA defense forces in organising, planning and conducting operations at the Combined Joint Task Force level by specialising in combined tactical integration on multi-threat environments.
“In accordance with the philosophy of establishing a defensive FPDA, the implementation of this exercise is not a form of threat to the surrounding countries but it is an exercise to enhance the professionalism of the armed forces of the FPDA countries.
“This exercise also provided an opportunity and space for FPDA countries to share their expertise in facing any form of conflict in the future,” said the statement.
At the closing ceremony, Noor Mohamad Akmar handed over the exercise pennant to the deputy commander of the Singapore Armed Forces, Brigadier-General Frederick Choo as the host for the ‘Bersama Lima 2024’ joint exercise.
Also present at the ceremony were representatives of the Malaysian Army chief Lieutenant-General Datuk Pahlawan Muhammad Huzaimi Sabri, of the Royal Malaysian Navy chief Rear-Admiral Farizal Myeo and of the Royal Malaysian Air Force Major-General Datuk Mahadzer Amin. – airtimes.my
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