The Defence Chiefs of the FPDA member-nations gathered in Singapore today for the 19th FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference (FDCC). Chaired by Singapore's Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Lieutenant General Melvyn Ong Su Kiat, this year's conference was attended by Australia's CDF, General Angus Campbell; Malaysia's CDF, General Tan Sri Dato' Seri Panglima Hj Zulkifli bin Hj Zainal Abidin; New Zealand's Vice CDF, Air Vice Marshal Tony Davies; and United Kingdom's Vice Chief of Defence Staff (VCDS), Admiral Tim Fraser.

During the conference, the Defence Chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to the FPDA. They discussed the increasingly complex security environment and the evolving regional security challenges. They agreed that the FPDA continues to be relevant as it keeps pace with the evolving security challenges. The Defence Chiefs also issued the FPDA Exercise Concept Directive during the conference. The directive will guide the development of future FPDA exercises and activities, so as to strengthen interoperability and interaction between the defence forces of the five member-nations. The FPDA will continue to enhance its capacity in conducting conventional and non-conventional operations as the FPDA progresses towards its 50th anniversary in 2021.

Since its formation in 1971, the FPDA has evolved over the years to adapt to the changing security environment. This has enabled the FPDA to continue to be an integral part of the regional security architecture. The FDCC is the highest professional military forum of the FPDA and serves as a useful forum for dialogue and exchange of views among the Defence Chiefs. The conference is hosted alternately by Malaysia and Singapore, and was last held in Malaysia in 2018.

Following the conference, the Defence Chiefs were hosted to lunch by Singapore's Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen today. They will also observe Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 19 at Butterworth Airbase, Penang, Malaysia tomorrow. The exercise is a major joint FPDA exercise involving 7 ships, 48 aircraft, 1 submarine, 5 ground-based air defence units and 5 army platoons from the five FPDA member-nations. The exercise, which is being held from 1 to 17 October 2019, provides the armed forces of the FPDA member-nations with a valuable platform to enhance military cooperation, professional interactions and military interoperability.