11 April 2025
Australian personnel are taking part in a multi-nation military exercise to defend Malaysia and Singapore against a fictional enemy.
About 800 military personnel from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom, including seven surface ships and more than 30 aircraft, will conduct mock warfighting scenarios across the Malay Peninsula from April 7-22.
The exercise is being conducted under the Five Power Defence Arrangements. Established in 1971, it is the only one of its kind in Southeast Asia.
Guided missile destroyer HMAS Sydney, a C-27J Spartan from 35 Squadron, soldiers from 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, working in a combined ground-based air defence unit, and a headquarters element, make up the Australian contingent of almost 300 personnel.
Mine Warfare Group’s Lieutenant Samuel Semisi is working in the headquarters.
His first time in Malaysia, Lieutenant Semisi was quick to have a yarn and a laugh with his exercise counterparts during the opening ceremony.
“We’re going to be here for two-and-a-half weeks; I want to get to know people from other nations,” he said.
“The whole point of Bersama Shield is to help facilitate Malaysia and Singapore’s defence and that’s all about building relationships and working together.”
'This is about working together as a team and building partnerships so we can respond to the coordinated defence of Malaysia and Singapore.'
It was a sentiment echoed by the Australian contingent commander Major Mark Tamblyn.
“This is about working together as a team and building partnerships so we can respond to the coordinated defence of Malaysia and Singapore,” Major Tamblyn said.
Commander Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System, Air Vice-Marshal Nathan Christie, said increased complexity presented a challenge for exercise participants, as cyber capabilities were exercised alongside air, land and maritime assets.
Bersama Shield is one of two annual exercises between the Five Power militaries and is followed by Exercise Bersama Lima in September. Both have been held annually since 2004.
The exercises have evolved from air and area defence, to include disaster relief, counter-terrorism activities and maritime security.
Defence has contributed personnel to the Integrated Area Defence System operational headquarters at Royal Malaysian Air Force Base Butterworth since 1971.
