NSC staff invited to exclusive Five Power exercise

On 28-29 April, the ANU National Security College (NSC) were observers at the Enhanced Engagement Activity for Exercise: Bersama Shield at RMAF Butterworth, Malaysia.

These exercises comprise part of the training mission of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), the agreement between Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom to consult each other in the event of an armed attack against Malaysia and Singapore, which has been in effect since 1971.

The aim of the inaugural enhanced engagement activity – which saw academics and think-tankers from across the five nations gather - was to raise awareness of the little-known agreement, and to reassure as to the defensive intent of the military exercises.

Associate Professor Mike Cohen and Senior Policy Advisor Justin Burke travelled to the base in a RAAF C-27J Spartan aircraft and were 'mock intercepted' by several fighter aircraft while the rear cargo doors remained open. On the ground, two days of stimulating briefings, demonstrations and a convivial reception followed.

The engagements continued for the NSC in Singapore with roundtables at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, and with the team at IISS-Asia. Topics of discussion included regional security dynamics, the effects of the Iran conflict, and the recently released report of the NSC’s Community Consultations on national security, “No Worries”, amongst others.