Australia has joined Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom for Exercise Bersama Lima 2026.

Hosted by Singapore, Bersama Lima brings together Five Power Defence Arrangements nations to train maritime, air and land forces in combined and joint operations across a range of security scenarios, strengthening preparedness, interoperability and collective resilience.

Australia's participation demonstrates the practical application of the 2026 National Defence Strategy by strengthening regional partnerships, enhancing collective deterrence and building the integrated warfighting interoperability required to respond to crises and conflict across the Indo-Pacific.

A contingent of around 220 Australian Defence Force personnel, Royal Australian Navy replenishment ship HMAS Stalwart with its embarked MH-60R helicopter and Royal Australian Air Force F-35A Lightning II strike fighter and P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft will participate in the exercise this year.

The exercise provides an opportunity for the ADF to integrate maritime, air, land and information capabilities with partner nations, sharpening the procedures and relationships required to employ military force effectively in a modern operational environment.

Commander Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, AO, CSC, RAN, said each Exercise Bersama Lima deepens interoperability and strengthens key partnerships.

“Our strength lies in our ability to operate seamlessly together across all domains. Exercises such as Bersama Lima strengthen our combined warfighting capability, integrate high-end military effects and ensure our forces are ready to respond alongside trusted partners when required,” Vice Admiral Jones said.

“By training together in increasingly complex environments, we enhance joint force readiness, strengthen our ability to fight and operate together, and contribute to a credible collective deterrent across the Indo-Pacific.

“Exercises such as Bersama Lima ensure the ADF remains a credible and capable warfighting force, able to integrate seamlessly with allies and partners, contribute to regional deterrence and respond when Australia’s interests require it.”

Beyond operational training, Bersama Lima provides valuable opportunities for personnel from all five nations to strengthen professional relationships, build trust and deepen the people-to-people connections that underpin the FPDA partnership.

Established in 1971, the Five Power Defence Arrangements remain Australia's longest-standing regional security mechanism and the only multilateral security arrangement of its kind in Southeast Asia.

Media note

Media can access imagery/vision at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20262048.