SE Asia Military Exercise 'Bersama Shield' Begins Soon

The Australian Defence Force informs that military strength and diplomatic might will come together  in the coming weeks in Malaysia for Exercise Bersama Shield during one of South East Asia’s most significant regional exercises involving Australia and its regional security partners.

Exercise Bersama Shield 2014 will see the Australian Defence Force join with the defence forces of New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom in a critical test of interoperability.
 
Leading Australia’s 500-strong contingent, Commander Michael Jacobson said Bersama Shield aimed to strengthen professional relationships and interoperability through a range of conventional and non-conventional challenges.

“The exercise will focus on building our capability to work together,” Commander Jacobson said. “Our people will face a wide variety of threats and they will need to work together in addressing them.”  
 
Bersama Shield is also designed to further enhance friendships and relationships under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), which have been building since its inception in 1971.