Five Powers unite for Exercise Suman Protector

More than 260 military personnel from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom have deployed to Singapore for the latest iteration of Exercise Suman Protector.

30 Defence personnel will attend the nine-day Command Post Exercise (CPX), which builds on decades of cooperation under the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and supports common security goals.

Australia’s Vice Chief of the Defence Force Vice Admiral David Johnston, AC, RAN, attended the exercise opening ceremony in Singapore and used the opportunity to emphasise the important contribution the FPDA makes to the region.

“The FPDA is an anchor for regional security and stability,” Vice Admiral Johnston said.

“It strengthens interoperability between our militaries and provides a recognised and well-rehearsed platform for partner nation cooperation, with a focus on high-end conventional warfighting.”

Vice Admiral Johnston said the ADF’s participation in Suman Protector continued Australia’s five decade-long commitment to the FPDA.

“The Suman series of command post exercises builds on Defence’s other contributions to the FPDA, including the Bersama series of field exercises, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief planning, and our other broader commitments including Rifle Company Butterworth,” he said.