DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 137/10
Monday, 26 April 2010
ADF joins regional security exercise
Warships, combat aircraft, and soldiers from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will
join the armed forces of Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom
in a major military exercise focussed on enhancing regional security.
Exercise BERSAMA SHIELD 2010 will be conducted under the auspices of the Five
Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) in various locations on the Malaysian Peninsula
and in the South China Sea between 26 April and 7 May 2010.
About 240 personnel, 19 ships, 59 aircraft and various support elements are involved
in the exercise that will enhance the interoperability of the combined air, ground and
naval forces of the FPDA countries.
Chief of Joint Operations Command, Lieutenant General Mark Evans, said the ADF
will participate in the exercise as one of the founding members of the FPDA, which
was established almost 40 years ago as a regional security initiative.
“The FPDA continues to be an integral part of the regional security architecture
because of its ability to remain relevant to the needs of its members by adapting to the
changing security environment,” he said.
“Since the FPDA's formation, the scope of its activities has expanded from air
defence to the development of joint capabilities, which has helped to develop greater
interoperability among the armed forces of member nations.”
Lieutenant General Evans said BERSAMA SHIELD also provides the ADF with the
opportunity to develop relationships with important security partners while
reinforcing Australia’s long-term commitment to regional stability.
The ADF assets involved in this exercise include HMA Ships Anzac and Success,
eight F/A-18 combat aircraft from 75 Squadron and an AP-3C Orion maritime patrol
aircraft from 92 Squadron.
The Commander of the ASC, Wing Commander Kenneth Robinson, said BS10 would
continue to develop and validate doctrines and procedures for interoperability among
FPDA nations' navies, armies and air forces in a combined, joint scenario.
“BS10 is a fantastic opportunity not only for the Royal Australian Air Force but all
the ADF assets and personnel involved to enhance key skills in an international
environment,” he said.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: (02) 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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