Australia’s commitment to regional security is on display during the Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). This week Australia joins FPDA nations, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and New Zealand for Exercise BERSAMA GOLD 21 (BG21).
Conducted across Singapore, Malaysia and parts of the South China Sea, Australia’s involvement in the exercise includes HMA Ships Canberra and Anzac, a P-8A Poseidon and F/A-18F Super Hornets. The ADF is complying with state and territory COVID-19 measures to ensure the safety of exercise participants, including compliance with international entry requirements.
Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton acknowledged the importance of this anniversary and the FPDA exercise series. “The FPDA is a trusted mainstay of regional security architecture. When our five nations come together we strengthen cooperation, deepen our interoperability and sustain professional links,” Bilton said. “The 50th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, reinforce the FPDA’s constructive role in regional security, and shape its future focus. BERSAMA GOLD 2021 is a fitting tribute and its execution in a COVID-safe manner is a testament to our collective ability to work together.”
This year’s exercise will involve contactless air and maritime scenarios and a virtual land-focused seminar.
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