DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 516/10
Thursday, 04 November 2010
Major Five Power Defence Arrangements Exercise comes to an end
in SE Asia
A milestone exercise in the Bersama series has come to an end in Malaysia and the South
China Sea with the official closing ceremony of Exercise Bersama Padu 2010 (BP10) held on
29 October at RMAF Butterworth.
Exercise BP10 was the first in the series to include a land force element comprised of soldiers
from Australia and Malaysia, collectively known as the Five Powers Rifle Company (FPRC).
In total, BP10 involved 1100 Australian Defence Force personnel, which Commander of the
Australian Contingent Wing Commander Kenneth Robinson said demonstrated the
importance Australia placed on the Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) and its
commitment to security and stability in the region.
“The Australian Defence Force’s contribution to Bersama Padu 10 is a tangible sign of our
enduring commitment to the FPDA,” he said.
“The maritime component of Australia’s contribution to the exercise was the largest in several
years, and we were especially pleased with the exercise activity and the value derived by our
task group.”
Wing Commander Robinson made special mention of the introduction and integration of the
land component into the Field Training Exercise.
“The Commanding Officer of HMAS Tobruk, Commander Paul Scott, has conveyed to me a
particular sense of pride and achievement in terms of that ship’s contribution to the effective
and safe amphibious lodgement of a composite rifle company,” he said.
The FPDA was established in 1971 and 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.
Exercise BP10 was conducted from 11-29 October, and involved four RAN ships, Clearance
Diving Team 1, eight F/A 18s from No3 Squadron, and Rifle Company Butterworth.
Information about Exercise Bersama Padu 2010 is available at:
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
