S'PORE, UK HOST 5TH FPDA PROFESSIONAL FORUM

More than 70 senior officials from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom, which form the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), are taking part in the 5th FPDA Professional Forum.

Jointly hosted by Singapore and the UK, the forum is held at a local hotel, from 28 to 30 Nov. The theme is 'Military Operations Other Than War', and issues such as military participation in humanitarian missions and training for peace support operations will be discussed.

Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Ng Yat Chung delivered the keynote address on the first day of the forum which was also attended by Group Captain Chris Henwood, UK; Brigadier Brian Dawson, Commandant Australian Defence Force Academy; Rear Admiral Dato' Hj Mohammed Noordin bin Ali, Assistant Chief of Staff (Defence Operations and Training), Malaysian Armed Forces; Brigadier-General Rhys Jones, Assistant Chief Development, New Zealand Defence Force; and Air Vice Marshal Greg Evans, Commander Integrated Area Defence Systems, from the Australian Defence Force.

The FPDA Professional Forum is a biennial event involving senior officers responsible for joint operations, training and doctrines from the FPDA member-countries.

It was first held in 1997, following a directive by the 4th FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference that the FPDA increase the level of professional exchanges and inter-operability among its members.

An important event in the FPDA calendar, the forum provides an opportunity for senior officers to interact and exchange professional views, as well as promotes cross-learning, thereby enhancing inter-operability among the FPDA armed forces.

The FPDA regularly conducts joint exercises involving air, maritime and land forces, as well as training programmes, seminars and forums. It serves as a platform for dialogue and exchange of views on professional, military and security issues among the FPDA Defence Ministers and senior defence officials.

Formed in 1971 as a consultative arrangement, the FPDA has become an integral part of the regional security architecture, and remains relevant today in the changing strategic environment. Since 2004, the FPDA has broadened its capacity to address non-conventional threats, such as in maritime security.

In June this year, the FPDA Defence Ministers endorsed that the FPDA explore ways to build capacity and enhance inter-operability in the area of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief.