Think Tank: The durian pact - the Five Power Defence Arrangements

Graeme Dobell

A five-nation defence pact for which the peak ministerial council has met only 10 times in 46 years is a happy institution. Threats can’t be pressing and the military machinery must be running smoothly.

Welcome to the durian pact, the Five Power Defence Arrangements of Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Britain. Durian is Southeast Asia’s pungent fruit (think rich, soft, juicy flesh with rotting aroma). Although more aeronautical than aromatic, FPDA shares durian characteristics. Just as the strange smell doesn’t deter durian lovers, the odd nature of FPDA doesn’t worry its members—the taste is what matters.

The durian has a formidable husk, and the FPDA’s endurance means it’s preparing for 50th birthday celebrations. The fruit and pact are distinctly Southeast Asian, yet both draw adherents from beyond the region. As durian is an unusual fruit, so FPDA is strange but useful—and none of the five powers wants to give up the habit.

News Report: No Confidence: Citing Trump ‘Trust Gap,’ Asian Allies Turn Away From US

US President Donald Trump

Asian allies fearful that Washington's new nationalism will leave them open and vulnerable to China, have begun to band together.

Echoing recent remarks by German Chancellor Angela Merkel, that Europe must not rely on the US, Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull remarked at a regional security conference that allies in the area "cannot rely on great powers to safeguard our interests," as Southeast Asian countries begin to discreetly discuss strengthening old alliances, as well as creating new ones.

During his opening remarks on Sunday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, the pre-eminent annual security forum for Southeast Asia, Australian PM Turnbull stated, "We have to take responsibility for our own security and prosperity," according to Reuters.

The new turn in Asian diplomacy — away from the US — is seen to come in the wake of a growing mistrust of the administration of US President Donald Trump, particularly in light of Washington's withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and his announcement of his intent to pull the country out of the Paris climate accords.

News Story: Regional security group to focus on anti-terrorism in Asia-Pacific

SINGAPORE, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Officials from the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA) said here Friday that they have put anti-terrorism and extremism in this region on their agenda particularly at a time when terror attacks rocked many countries in the region and worldwide.

The ministers from Singapore, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and the British high commissioner said at a joint press conference that terrorism is a global challenge and a new challenge for the region in the Southeast Asia.

Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said that the incidents in the Philippines and Indonesia have showed that terrorists are determined to establish their foot holds in the region, warning that Islamic State will be in the region.

Read the full story at Xinhua

AUS: Visit to Singapore for Shangri-La Dialouge

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, will travel to Singapore today to attend the International Institute for Strategic Studies’ Shangri-La Dialogue.

The Dialogue is the Asia-Pacific’s pre-eminent meeting of regional defence leaders and is an important opportunity to discuss shared security concerns.

On Saturday, 3 June 2017, Minister Payne will address the Dialogue plenary session on Upholding the Regional Rules-Based Order.

“The Dialogue is an important opportunity to share Australia’s views on ensuring a stable, prosperous and rules-based region,” Minister Payne said.

“Australia is committed to working with its partners and allies across the Indo-Pacific to build greater trust and transparency to support regional security and stability.’’

Minister Payne will conduct bilateral and multilateral meetings in the sidelines of the Dialogue.

These includes a Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers’ Meeting, and a Trilateral Defence Ministers’ Meeting with the United States and Japan. 

AUS DoD

AUS: Regional defence ties strengthened as Exercise Bersama Shield wraps up

Members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) have improved their ability to work together during Exercise Bersama Shield 17.

From 26 April to 9 May 2017, Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and the United Kingdom conducted the exercise in international waters, off the coast of Malaysia as part of the longest standing multilateral arrangement in South East Asia.

Acting Chief of Joint Operations, Major General Stuart Smith said Bersama Shield was an important opportunity for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to strengthen cooperation with other FPDA nations.

“Around 300 ADF personnel have taken part in Exercise Bersama Shield 17, drawn from Navy, Army and Air Force,” Major General Smith said.

AUS: Regional cooperation on display as Five Powers Exercise gets underway

Exercise Bersama Shield 2017 commenced today in Malaysia and Singapore with Australian Defence Force personnel supporting South East Asia’s longest enduring multilateral defence relationship, the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

The long-running Bersama exercise series aims to enhance the interoperability between the founding members of the FPDA - Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Acting Chief of Joint Operations, Major General Stuart Smith said working alongside FPDA partners reinforces ties with regional partners in South East Asia and provides an invaluable opportunity for the Australian Defence Force to exercise in the region.

“Exercise Bersama Shield 17 is a visible example of the types of Defence relationships Australia maintains throughout the region,” Major General Smith said.

“This exercise is the centrepiece of a series of Five Power Defence Arrangements activities this year which aim to increase cooperation and interoperability between its members and makes a practical contribution to regional security resilience.”

News Story: NZ could host Singapore's fighter jets at Ohakea

Singapore F-15 (Image: Wiki Commons)

Audrey Young

Singapore is eying Ohakea air base in Manawatu as a potential base for one of its own Air Force squadrons of F15 fighter jets.

Up to 500 people would be stationed in or near the base in the region.

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee confirmed that the Singapore Government in undertaking a feasibility study to determine what the move would entail, including housing and education needs of family.

That study needed to be completed before any proposal could be put before the Singapore or New Zealand Governments.

Brownlee said that Singapore's position in Southeast Asia so close to Malaysia and near Indoesia meant that air space was very tight.

"New Zealand doesn't have the same congestion so the opportunity to fly more freely clearly exists at Ohakea."

The Singapore Air Force has other overseas bases, in France, the United States and in Western Australia's Pearce Air Base where a squadron is based.

Brownlee suggested the benefits to New Zealand would be strategic and economic

Read the full story at NZ Herald

News Story: New Zealand, Singapore seek to strengthen defense cooperation

WELLINGTON, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The defense ministers of New Zealand and Singapore on Monday pledged to continue their military cooperation and to expand it into new areas.

New Zealand Defense Minister Gerry Brownlee and his Singapore counterpart Dr Ng Eng Hen issued a joint statement after observing Exercise Thunder Warrior, an artillery live-fire exercise at the Waiouru Training Area, in the central North Island.

The ministers also conducted the inaugural Singapore-New Zealand Defence Ministers Meeting. Both nations remained committed to the relationship and looked forward to further opportunities to strengthen defense cooperation, the ministers said in the statement.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Australian-French Sub Deal Signals Appetite For Defense Uptick Down Under

By: Pierre Tran

PARIS – Defense minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is due to sign Tuesday an intergovernment agreement with his Australian counterpart, Maryse Payne, on cooperation on the AU$50 billion ($36 billion) Australian Future Submarine Program, Australian defence industry minister Christopher Pyne said. 

That signing in Adelaide, South Australia, will be “the next milestone” in working with DCNS, the boat builder, and Direction Générale de l’Armement procurement office, Pyne said after giving a Dec. 15 keynote speech to IHEDN, the Institute for Advanced Studies in National Defense, at the war college, here. 

Pyne added that he and the Australian prime minister would attend the signing and that Australia and France had already signed a security agreement in the week of Dec. 5. 

The program to build 12 ocean-going, diesel-electric submarines is the single biggest item in the Australian defense budget, he told a lecture theater packed with IHEDN students, officers and industry executives. 

DCNS will build the diesel-electric boats, with Lockheed Martin supplying the combat integration system. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

AUS: Exercise Bersama Lima 16 wraps up

Australia’s longest standing regional security exercise, Bersama Lima 16, has drawn to a close.

The Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) exercise was conducted in Malaysia, Singapore and over the South China Sea, and involved air, maritime and land elements from the five member nations; Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

The Commander of the Australian Contingent, Wing Commander Gregory Jervis, said all the Australian Force Elements gained significant training value from the exercise.

“The Australian contingent has enjoyed the interoperability opportunities from working with other Five Power Defence Arrangements nations to achieve exercise objectives,” he said

AUS: Exercise Bersama Lima 16 Officially Opens

Exercise Bersama Lima 2016 (BL16) was officially opened today at Changi Naval Base, Singapore.

The combined joint military exercise runs until 21 October 2016 and involves the military forces from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom operating together under the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

Commander Australian Contingent, Wing Commander Gregory Jervis, said the annual exercise aimed to enhance interoperability between the five armed forces by sharing tactics and operational procedures.

“Bersama Lima incorporates a field training exercise for air, land and maritime forces, as well as live fire serials and staff officer training,” he said.

“It provides an opportunity for the Australian Defence Force to conduct training within a multi-threat operational environment. By planning, coordinating and conducting complex joint procedures, ADF personnel are able to maintain their operational and tactical level capabilities.”

News Story: FPDA Defence Ministers’ Meeting takes place in Singapore

Hanoi (VNA) – Defence ministers from Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the UK, gathered in Singapore on October 4-5 to discuss measures to enhance cooperation within the Five Powers Defence Arrangements (FPDA). 

The annual meeting serves as a foundation for dialogue and exchange of viewpoints between the five countries, which signed the FPDA in 1971. 

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

News Story: New Zealand joins multinational exercise in South China Sea

WELLINGTON, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand will send 60-strong contingent and a P-3K2 Orion surveillance aircraft to Malaysia this week to take part in an annual multi-national exercise in the South China Sea, the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) said Monday.

The country is joining Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom to carry out three weeks of training as part of Exercise Bersama Lima.

Read the full story at Xinhua

AUS: Five Powers exercise concludes in Malaysia and Singapore

Australian Defence Force personnel have completed the annual Exercise Bersama Shield in Malaysia, Singapore and the South China Sea.

The multilateral training activity is part of a long-running series of exercises aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) members – Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Commander of the Australian Contingent, Wing Commander Paul Webb said the exercise was very rewarding.

“Exercise Bersama Shield 16 tested the ability of FPDA nations to work together to complete missions and objectives, and they’ve done that very well,” he said.

“Through this cooperation, we’ve built on existing friendships and strengthened our habits of collaboration. We look forward to continuing the relationship with our FPDA partners during Exercise Bersama Lima later this year.”

AUS: Relationship Endures as Five Powers Exercise Gets Underway

South East Asia’s only multilateral security agreement focused on practical cooperation of its kind remains as strong as ever as Exercise BERSAMA SHIELD 16 commences today.

The long-running BERSAMA exercise series enhances the interoperability between the founding members of the Five Power Defence Arrangements – Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Commander of the Australian Contingent Wing Commander Paul Webb said working alongside FPDA partners demonstrates the dynamic nature of Australia’s role and cooperation in South East Asia.

“Exercise BERSAMA SHIELD 16 highlights the diversity of Defence relationships Australia maintains in the region,” Wing Commander Webb said.

AUS: Ninth Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee

Joint Communiqué:

• The Hon Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs
• The Hon Steven Ciobo MP, Minister for Trade and Investment
• Senator the Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Defence
• The Hon Andrew Robb AO MP, Special Envoy for Trade
• Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Mr Lim Hng Kiang, Minister for Trade and Industry (Trade)
• Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence

Sydney

18 March 2016

1. Australian and Singaporean Ministers met in Sydney today to reaffirm the shared vision of both Governments to achieve new and ambitious levels of integration across the breadth of the bilateral relationship.
2. They recalled the Joint Declaration on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) signed by their Prime Ministers in June 2015 and underlined the strong state of the bilateral relationship. Ministers welcomed the proposed visit to Australia by      Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in May 2016. 
3. Ministers welcomed the steady progress of collaborative activities and outcomes against the CSP ten-year roadmap. Ministers renewed their commitment to advancing economic, foreign affairs, defence, security and people-to-people initiatives.   

News Story: Singapore Concludes Busy Week of Exercises and Meetings

Terrex ICV (Image: Wiki Commons)

Wendell Minnick

Terrex 2 Moving Forward

TAIPEI – The 22nd Exercise Cope Tiger, a trilateral air exercise between the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), and the U.S. Air Force concluded on March 18 during a closing ceremony at Korat Air Base, Thailand.

According to a press release issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), this year’s exercise included 87 aircraft, 48 ground-based air defense systems, and around 2,000 personnel, including Singapore’s Israeli-built Heron-1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

According to MINDEF, the Heron-1 is a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV for strategic reconnaissance and surveillance operations and built by the Israel Aerospace Industries. It was inaugurated into the Singapore’s UAV Command in 2012 to replace the Searcher-class UAV for the 119 Squadron at Murai Camp. The Searcher had been in service since 1994. Singapore’s Heron-1 also participated in the 2015 Forging Sabre Exercise in Phoenix, Arizona. The Singapore UAV Command also operates the Israeli-built Hermes 450 UAV, which is stationed with the 116 Squadron at
 Tengah Air Base.

Conducted annually since 1994, Cope Tiger is a two-phase exercise conducted first, December 8-11, at the Multinational Operations and Exercise Center in Changi Naval Base, Singapore, then, March 7-18, with a flying training exercise at Korat Air Base, Thailand.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Think Tank: Southeast Asia’s muted reaction to the 2016 Defence White Paper

Tim Huxley

Like its predecessors, Australia’s new Defence White Paper pays considerable attention to Southeast Asia. Its ‘Strategic Outlook’ chapter reiterates the long-held and axiomatic conventional wisdom that the geography of the archipelago to Australia’s north ‘will always have particular significance’, because any conventional military threat—and indeed some low-intensity challenges such as people- and drug-smuggling—are ‘likely to approach through the archipelago’.

The DWP also notes Australia’s ‘deep economic security interests’ in Southeast Asia, including the fact that nearly two-thirds of the country’s exports ‘pass through the South China Sea’. It holds that Southeast Asian instability—whether within or between countries—could affect Australia’s security, and highlights a specific current concern over the ‘return of foreign terrorist fighters from conflicts in the Middle East’. Significantly, there’s a particularly strong emphasis on the dangers of the escalating tension in the South China Sea.

While its focus on the South China Sea is striking, the White Paper’s confirmation of the importance of Southeast Asia for Australia’s security hardly represents a radical shift in the thinking of Canberra’s defence establishment. The country’s wide-ranging security interests in the sub-region are reflected in the breadth and depth of its defence relations across Southeast Asia. Those with Malaysia and Singapore are particularly strong, both bilaterally and through the Five Power Defence Arrangements, set up 45 years ago with New Zealand the UK as the other two partners.

News Story: UK Sees Export Opportunities in Asia's Dual-Source Strategy

By Andrew Chuter

SINGAPORE — Britain is hoping to profit from a growing tendency by some nations in the Asian region to dual-source their purchases of defense capability rather than rely on the US for equipment, said the boss of the the UK Government arms export agency.

“A number of countries which traditionally for decades have been Foreign Military Sales FMS] customers of the US government sometimes for entire air forces or navies now want to add to that capability with someone else as a partner,” Stephen Phipson, the head of the Defence and Security Organisation (DSO), told reporters during a briefing at the Singapore Airshow Wednesday.

“We are seeing an increasing pipeline of opportunity as the threat picture evolves for nations who do not want just to be dependent on US for capability but want to partner with other countries for additional capability,” said the DSO head.

Phipson said a good example is the growth of indigenous fighter programs in places like South Korea, Japan and Turkey.

Countries that traditionally buy through FMS want more capability that is not separate to the US but additional to it; the change in buying habit gives British exporter a great opportunity, he said.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Editorial: Great Britain and Japan to Deepen Defense Cooperation

Image: Flickr User - UK in Japan- FCO

By Franz-Stefan Gady

London and Tokyo aim to tighten their defense relations in 2016.

Japan and the United Kingdom are seeking to deepen defense cooperation in 2016 including possible joint military exercises and pushing ahead with the development of a new air-to-air missile, according to U.K. Defense Secretary, Michael Fallon, who visited Japan in the first week of January.

“Japan is our closest security partner in Asia and I want to significantly deepen defense cooperation between our two nations,” Fallon said in a joint press release. “We will do that through joint exercises, reciprocal access to our military bases, military personnel exchanges and cooperation on equipment, including a new air-to-air missile.”

The British defense secretary was in Tokyo on January 8, alongside Britain’s Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, meeting with his Japanese counterpart, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani.

Among other things, both sides are now investigating the possibility of a joint combat jet exercise involving Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of the Royal Air Force in Japan, following a Five Powers Defense Arrangement Exercise in 2016.

Read the full story at The Diplomat