STEPPING UP ON INTEROPERABILITY AT FPDA JOINT EXERCISE

Through the multinational maritime information-sharing network, a commercial ship suspected of carrying dangerous cargo has been detected and ordered to drop its anchor. Within moments of it coming to a halt, the boarding teams from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) member nations stormed the ship and swiftly rounded up the ship crew.

Meantime, another team roped down from their Super Puma helicopter and intercepted the ship from above. After inspecting the ship's documentation and cargo, they found nothing amiss and released the vessel to continue on its voyage.

As one of the highlights at Exercise Bersama Lima 2009 - a major FPDA joint exercise, this maritime interdiction operations demonstration was directed from the Multinational Operations and Exercises Centre (MOEC) in the Republic of Singapore Navy's Changi Command and Control Centre.

Hosted by Singapore, this year's exercise involves conducting joint manoeuvres in a multi-threat environment by the air, maritime and land forces of the five member nations.

Chief of Staff to Exercise Director, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Thng Chee Meng of the Republic of Singapore Navy sees the exercise as an opportunity for professional exchanges and bonding.

"We have military people from the five nations coming together and everybody brings with them loads of experience. As a well-structured exercise, Bersama Lima allows us to progressively know each other and then put forth our experience to gain professional knowledge," he said.

To express their support and extend their encouragement to the participants of the exercise, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited Exercise Bersama Lima 2009 on 21 Oct.

During their visit, the ministers toured the MOEC and were briefed on the scope of the exercise. They also interacted with the exercise participants from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

In total, over 240 personnel, 19 ships, 59 aircraft, one submarine and various support elements from the FPDA member nations are involved in the exercise.

This year's exercise, which is being held in Malaysia, Singapore and the South China Sea, from 5 to 23 Oct, aims to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding among the armed forces of the FPDA nations. It also helps to promote regional peace and stability by strengthening the FPDA's ability in dealing with the security challenges facing the region.

Over the past 38 years since its inception, the FPDA has become an integral part of the regional security architecture and continues to contribute significantly to regional stability.