RAAF F-35s are now participating in their first-ever Exercise Bersama Lima, which has commenced in Malaysia and Singapore.
In total, 400 ADF personnel will work closely with members from the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), a defensive arrangement between the nations of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said Australia’s commitment to the exercise demonstrated an unwavering investment in the FPDA.
“The ADF’s contribution to Bersama Lima supports our ongoing shared vision of a peaceful, stable and prosperous region,” VADM Jones said.
“The deployment of a significant Royal Australian Air Force capability, alongside units from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Navy demonstrates Australia’s commitment to collective security in our region.”
Commander of the Australian contingent, Major Mark Tamblyn, said Bersama Lima was a valuable opportunity to work with FPDA partners.
“The contingent looks forward to working closely with our FPDA partners, strengthening people-to-people links that have endured for more than five decades, while increasing our interoperability,” MAJ Tamblyn said.
“The deployment of Air Force F-35As and the Navy clearance diver team are significant achievements in our ongoing pursuit of enhancing training realism and sophistication and building capacity within the FPDA.”
The ADF has previously deployed F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, C-27J Spartan military transport aircraft and the Royal Australian Navy Hobart Class guided missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane to the exercise.