Five Nations Join Forces For Exercise Bersama Shield 2025

Seven surface ships and more than 30 aircraft are conducting mock warfighting scenarios across the Malay Peninsula as part of Exercise Bersama Shield 2025.

Organised under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), the annual exercise has been running since 2004 and involves assets from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the U.K.

This year’s iteration lasts two weeks and runs until April 22; it is centered in and around Butterworth Airbase, Malaysia.

Among the units taking part are Royal Australian Navy guided missile destroyer HMAS Sydney and Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel (OPV) HMS Spey.

The Australian Defence Force’s Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones said Bersama Shield was an important opportunity for Australia to exercise with Southeast Asian and regional partners.

He commented: “Exercise Bersama Shield provides us the opportunity to exercise in a contemporary and complex environment,” adding: “This exercise will improve our integration and joint operations while making a meaningful contribution to security in our region.”

The FPDA was established in 1971 as a security arrangement between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. It is the only multilateral defensive arrangement of its kind in Southeast Asia.

• You can read more details on the Defence Australia website and the New Zealand Defence Force website