Bersama Shield 2011
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Exercise Bersama Shield 2011 is an annual Five Powers Defence Arrangement (FPDA) exercise to conduct combined and joint operations in a multi-threat limited conflict scenario.
Bersama Shield 2011 aims to cultivate regional ties and seeks to enhance Australia’s interoperability with the defence forces of the other FPDA member countries, being Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom.
Bersama Shield 11 aims to enhance the interoperability of the combined air, ground and naval forces of the FPDA countries to enhance regional security including the defence of Singapore and Malaysia,
Bersama Shield 2011 will be conducted between 2 – 13 May in the South China Sea and on the Malaysian Peninsula.
The exercise scenario challenges the Australian Defence Force (ADF) assets and the other FPDA member countries to apply escalating levels of force in accordance with international law to defend the Malaysia/Singapore Peninsula.
This annual joint training activity is designed to exercise FPDA nations’ armies, navies and air forces in the conduct of combined and joint operations at an operational and / or tactical level to enhance regional security.
Bersama Shield 2011 develops and validates the doctrine and procedures for interoperability among FPDA nations’ armies, navies and air forces in a combined and joint scenario.
The FPDA represents 40 years of successful co-operation between the participating nations. Exercises such as Bersama Shield 2011 continue to reinforce the relevance of this long-term relationship to the regional strategic environment.
The FPDA was founded 40-years ago to develop the defensive capacity of Singapore and Malaysia as a means to strengthen regional security.
Bersama Shield 2011
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The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is participating in the exercise as one of the founding members of the FPDA security initiative, which marks its 40th anniversary this year.
Australia’s involvement in FPDA exercises provides an important connect to some of the leading powers in our region.
Training exercises such as Bersama Shield 2011 are important for our people to obtain key skills, work as a combined force and build relationships with the FPDA nations.
Australia and other contributing nations share common interest in the security and stability of the region.
The Australian Government has reaffirmed, through the 2009 Defence White Paper, its deep commitment to engagement with South East Asia and the Pacific.
In South East Asia, Defence cooperation will continue to focus on supporting the development of regional military capacity in areas such as counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and peacekeeping.
Australian Defence Force Contribution
The ADF contribution to the exercise includes six F/A-18F Super Hornets from Number 1 Squadron, HMA Ships Ballarat and Parramatta.
Exercise Bersama Shield 2011 represents the first overseas deployment for the F/A-18F Super Hornets and brings the project another step closer to declaring Final Operational Capability anticipated in 2012.
The Australian contingent includes support personnel from 324 Combat Support Squadron and augmentees from Navy, Army and Air Force. More than 800 ADF personnel are involved in Exercise Bersama Shield 2011.