Exercise Bersama Lima: Britain's Commitment To Regional Security In The Far East

It's an exercise expected to gain the attention of the Far East over the coming years.

Fought out in the South China Sea, 11 warships and one submarine from Commonwealth countries battle through air and sea attacks for Exercise Bersama Lima 18.

It involves Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and the UK. 

HMS Argyll is the first British warship to take part in the exercise in more than five years, a sign that the UK government is taking a greater interest in the region. 

"We haven't been able to send a frigate here for a couple of years now but we are pleased we've been able to do so this year," Commander Toby Shaughnessy, HMS Argyll's Captain said.

"There has been a real step change in the complexity of the exercise as it evolves year on year." 

"Exercise Bersama Lima is an enduring exercise run every year as part of Five Power Defence Agreement series of exercises involving the UK, Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia," said Cdr Shaughnessy.

"We are here as HMS Argyll is part of the UK's enduring commitment to that series of exercises in order to reassure our friends, allies and partners in the region of the UK's commitment to peace, security and prosperity in this important part of the world."

The agreement states that in the event of threat or attack on the Malay Peninsula, the Five Powers would consult each other on what action to take - or not - as the agreement doesn't guarantee intervention.

"So that is very much a national decision to make," Cdr Shaughnessy added. 

"But we do have a commitment to this region, an arrangement is in place and that would be for the Government to decide whether they wish to honour that arrangement. 

"Our business is to train and prepare for that eventuality."

The exercise is the output of the Five Power Defence Agreement.

Signed in 1971 at the end of the Anglo-Malayan Defence Agreement, it offers military protection to the Malay Peninsula by the five Commonwealth countries. It is believed to be the UK's longest standing defence agreement.

Commander John Livesy, an exercise controller, said it's an important arrangement, especially in today's climate.

"South East Asia is quite a lively area so the relevance of the Five Power Defence Agreement is more marked today than it perhaps has been in recent times," he added.

The two-week war game saw the first Royal Marines boardings serials, the first amphibious landings with the boots of 2 PARA on the beaches and the first occasion nighttime naval gunnery has taken place during Bersama Lima.

In the past, the UK's commitment has almost exclusively been subject matter experts and personnel support.

This year is a sign of a big increase in support for the region suggesting a greater political interest in the area. 

HMS Argyll is now midway into her nine-month deployment.

"For us, the exercise is now over and we've got about two hours to get us down to the Singapore Strait," said Lieutenant Tom Reed, the Navigator onboard HMS Argyll.

It is expected future years will see a repeat of the 2018 effort - from all countries. 

Commander Chris Leece, the captain of HMAS Stuart, an Australian Anzac class frigate, said: "I think this exercise particularly will begin to grow in importance as it has done over the last 30 or 40 years. 

"It's always a good opportunity for us to work with our colleagues and partners in the region in the interest of building up the world's based global order."

There have been contributions from the Five Powers' armies, navies, air forces and marines. In 2016, the RAF provided Typhoon jets, while this year the Australians operated their F18 fighter jets.

In 2021, the agreement will mark its 50th anniversary. Exercise controllers are already looking towards the occasion planning a battalion-sized amphibious landing in Malaysia.