New Zealand Among Five Nations Uniting For Exercise Bersama Lima

Wednesday, 24 September 2025, 2:32 pm
Press Release: New Zealand Defence Force

Members from the Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and United Kingdom militaries attend the opening ceremony for Exercise Bersama Lima 2025 in Kuantan, Malaysia. (Photo/ Australia Defence Force, Corporal Nicole Dorrett)

Ships, fighter jets and cyber teams are converging in Southeast Asia this month as five nations come together for Exercise Bersama Lima 25, a major training activity under the long-standing Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).

More than 130 New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel are taking part, alongside personnel from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s HMNZS Aotearoa is among the participating assets, which include a UK Carrier Strike Group and Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter jets.

NZDF Senior National Representative Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Singleton is presented with an Exercise Bersama Lima patch to commemorate the opening of the exercise by Commander of the Armed Forces of Malaysia, General Tan Sri Hj Mohd Nizam bin Hj Jaffar (Photo/ Malaysian Armed Forces)

Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Singleton is leading the New Zealand detachment.

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“Bersama Lima is about building trust and teamwork with our regional partners,” he said.

“It’s a chance to strengthen relationships while sharpening the skills we need for future operations.”

Lieutenant Colonel Singleton said the aim was to enhance the NZDF’s ability to plan and conduct joint operations as part of a larger Task Force.

Over the course of the exercise, personnel will engage in diverse challenges including cyber defence, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and anti-submarine warfare, building the skills needed to respond together in today’s complex security environment.

Royal New Zealand Navy vessel HMNZS Aotearoa is taking part in Exercise Bersama Lima 2025 (Photo/Supplied)

Speaking at the opening of the exercise, Commander of the Armed Forces of Malaysia, General Tan Sri Hj Mohd Nizam bin Hj Jaffar, said Bersama Lima reflected the shared commitment of all five nations.

“This exercise deepens our collective commitment to regional security in the spirit of camaraderie,” he said.

“It sharpens our ability to act as one and fosters a greater understanding of one another.”

Established in 1971, the FPDA remains Southeast Asia’s only multilateral defence arrangement. More than five decades later, it continues to foster cooperation, security and enduring partnerships between its five member nations.

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