FPDA DEFENCE CHIEFS MEET IN MALAYSIA

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Ng Yat Chung was in Malacca, Malaysia on 28 Mar for the 10th Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Chiefs' Conference.

Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, Chief of Defence Force, Australia; Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson, Chief of Defence Force, New Zealand; Admiral Sir James Brunell-Nugent, Commander-in-Chief Fleet, United Kingdom, representing Chief of Defence Staff United Kingdom, also attended the conference which was chaired by Admiral Tan Sri Dato' Seri Mohd Anwar bin Hj Mohd Nor, Chief of Defence Force, Malaysia.

The Defence Chiefs exchanged views on the regional security situation and discussed the training arrangement and overall cooperation within the FPDA.

They agreed that the conference had served to promote greater cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and foster friendship among the five member countries.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to the FPDA, looking at it as a relevant defence arrangements.

After 35 years, the FPDA has developed to meet growing regional and global security requirements.

Beginning as purely air defence exercises, the FPDA has become more joint and combined in nature. Its focus has also broadened to include non-conventional threats like terrorism and maritime security. These positive developments will further enhance defence relationships in the region through military exercises and activities.