Exercise Bersama Lima 2024 (XBL24) commenced in Singapore, involving over 2,000 personnel and advanced military assets from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom to enhance interoperability among the Five Power Defence Arrangements.

Exercise Bersama Lima 2024 (XBL24), a significant military exercise involving the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), officially kicked off on 1 October 2024 and will run until 18 October 2024 in Singapore. The exercise is hosted and led by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and marks a crucial collaboration between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. The opening ceremony was officiated by Singapore’s Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, alongside Malaysian Chief of Defence Force General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman and representatives from the other participating nations.

This year’s exercise involves more than 2,000 personnel, 38 aircraft, five ships, four ground-based air defence systems, over 250 ground troops, and four dive teams. Various naval assets are conducting operations such as manoeuvring exercises, naval gun firing, air-defence exercises, and diving operations. The participating air forces are engaged in combined air operations, complex air defence scenarios, and Air-Land training, including troop lift missions. The land forces are undertaking professional exchanges and force integration training that will culminate in a field exercise set in both jungle and urban environments.

A notable feature of XBL24 is the inaugural participation of fifth-generation fighter aircraft, including six F-35As from Australia and a P-8A maritime patrol aircraft from New Zealand, which adds complexity and enhances the training value of the exercise. Designed in alignment with the directives from the FPDA Defence Ministers’ Meeting held in Singapore in May, XBL24 aims to synchronise exercise scenarios across command posts and various field exercises, thereby enhancing operational realism. To stay aligned with contemporary security developments, the exercise incorporates Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs) on topics such as diving safety, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Rear Admiral Kwan Hon Chuong, Fleet Commander of the RSN and Exercise Director, emphasised the significance of the exercise, stating, “Exercise Bersama Lima 2024 has been designed to deepen the strong partnership and interoperability among our militaries. I am confident that all our participants will find great professional value and forge friendships through the exercise.”

Established in 1971, the FPDA has evolved to adapt to the shifting regional security landscape. The Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) participation in FPDA exercises, including Exercise Suman Warrior and Exercise Bersama Shield, plays a vital role in promoting cooperation and mutual understanding among the military forces of member nations.

Source: MINDEF