UK joins Five Power Defence Arrangement's Exercise Bersama Shield in Southeast Asia

The UK has deployed to support the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) on Exercise Bersama Shield in Southeast Asia.

The exercise is a key component of the FPDA, which is a multilateral security arrangement comprising Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK. 

The drills are taking place in and around the South China Sea and across the Malaysian Peninsula, as well as the surrounding air and maritime regions.

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It is designed to improve joint operations in complex, multi-domain scenarios across land, sea, air and cyber environments. 

The FPDA was created in 1971. It is the longest-standing multilateral defence arrangement in Southeast Asia, representing more than five decades of collaboration, trust and collective commitment to regional stability.

Exercises such as Bersama Shield remain critical to ensuring the FPDA continues to adapt to contemporary security challenges while promoting cooperation and preparedness among partner nations.