Day 155:Bersama Lima

Translated from the Malay language, “Bersama Lima” means “Together Five.” It's the name given to the annual multilateral exercise conducted under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA). Since 1971, the FPDA has brought together Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, to ensure collective security within Southeast Asia. 

This year, members of the Carrier Strike Group joined the Exercise in Malaysia while on their eight-month global deployment. 

For Bersama Lima 2025 and the five member nations, the name of the game was interoperability. Training focused on Combined and Joint Operations in a multi-threat environment at sea, on land, in the air, and on the web. The forces also got stuck into humanitarian aid and disaster relief training. 

In the air, dog fighting operations and manoeuvres were led by HMS Prince of Wales and its collection of powerful F-35Bs. At sea, training focused on simulated counter-submarine operations and manoeuvring, while on land forces were joined by a Ghurka Regiment for survival and location assault training in the jungle. 

Demonstrating our ongoing commitment to security in Southeast Asia, the UK’s membership in the FPDA continues to guard against deteriorating relations and provide insurance against exploitation by rival powers. Together, with our partners in the Five Power Defence Arrangements, we remain committed to tackling our shared security challenges, promoting stability and capability in the Indo-Pacific.