Aussie defence to join Malaysia exercise

Australian warships, combat aircraft and soldiers are off to participate in a major
regional defence exercise with the armed forces of Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore
and the United Kingdom.
The exercise, called Bersama Shield 2010, will be conducted through the Five Power
Defence Arrangement (FPDA) security agreement in various locations on the Malaysian
Peninsula and in the South China Sea between April 26 and May 7.
Chief of joint operations command Lieutenant General Mark Evans said the Australian
Defence Force would participate as one of the founding members of the FPDA, which
was established almost 40 years ago as a regional security initiative.
"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," he said in a
statement.
Bersama Shield also provided the ADF with the opportunity to develop relationships
with important security partners, while reinforcing Australia's long-term commitment
to regional stability.
Australian elements involved in the exercise include ships HMAS Anzac and HMAS
Success, eight F/A-18 Hornet combat aircraft from 75 Squadron and an AP-3C Orion
maritime patrol aircraft from 92 Squadron.