Latest news with #FPDA
The Sun
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Sun
UK strengthens ASEAN ties via FPDA, security cooperation in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: The United Kingdom has reinforced its dedication to regional security and economic stability by deepening ties with ASEAN, particularly under Malaysia's leadership, through established defence agreements and international legal frameworks. UK High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma highlighted the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) as a cornerstone of this cooperation. The FPDA, involving Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, was established in 1971 to ensure regional defence post-Britain's military withdrawal. Today, it addresses modern challenges like maritime security and counter-terrorism through joint exercises. Sharma emphasised the UK's adherence to global norms such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which supports maritime stability. 'Through agreements like UNCLOS and collaboration with Malaysia and regional partners, we aim to resolve differences diplomatically,' he said during an interview on Bernama TV's *The Diplomatic Dispatch*. ASEAN's role in fostering inclusive dialogue was also praised. 'ASEAN's centrality allows the UK to engage on critical issues, ensuring peaceful resolutions through strong international institutions,' Sharma noted. With Malaysia chairing ASEAN this year, the UK seeks to expand its partnership, focusing on ASEAN-led initiatives. 'Asia is the future, and we want to be part of it. Strengthening ties with ASEAN, especially under Malaysia's leadership, is a priority,' he added. The UK became ASEAN's Dialogue Partner in 2021, its first new partner in 25 years. The 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related sessions will take place in Kuala Lumpur from July 8 to 11, offering further opportunities for collaboration.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
UK Reaffirms ASEAN Commitment Through FPDA, Security Cooperation
By Nur Atiq Maisarah Suhaimi KUALA LUMPUR, June 26 (Bernama) -- The United Kingdom (UK) has reaffirmed its commitment to regional peace and stability by strengthening cooperation with ASEAN member states under Malaysia's chairmanship, through international legal frameworks and long-standing defence arrangements. UK High Commissioner to Malaysia Ajay Sharma said this includes the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), a security partnership involving Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as adherence to global norms such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which underpins maritime stability in the region. bootstrap slideshow 'As part of our relationship with Malaysia, we are working bilaterally, regionally and internationally to promote stability and create the conditions for economic growth. 'Through agreements such as the law of the sea, and cooperation with Malaysia and other countries in the region, we aim to ensure that international agreements are respected and that any differences are resolved diplomatically and through dialogue,' Sharma told Bernama after appearing on the Bernama TV programme The Diplomatic Dispatch on Thursday. Established in 1971, the FPDA is a multilateral security arrangement formed in the context of Britain's military withdrawal from the 'East of Suez', to support the defence and stability of Malaysia and Singapore following their respective independence and separation. Since its establishment over 50 years ago, the FPDA has evolved to cover a broader range of security tasks, including air defence, maritime security, and counter-terrorism, as demonstrated in major annual exercises. Sharma noted that ASEAN plays an essential role in fostering inclusive dialogue and multilateral cooperation on regional and global challenges. 'ASEAN is great because it brings together, with ASEAN centrality and inclusivity at its heart, a group of countries that we in the UK can engage with on a range of important issues.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Singapore relationship with UK is ‘one of certainty' amid global disruption: Melvyn Ong
British F-35B fighter jets and Royal Navy Merlin helicopters on the flight deck of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales on June 24. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG SINGAPORE – The Republic's relationship with the United Kingdom is one of certainty as 'the world around us loses their heads,' said permanent secretary for defence development Melvyn Ong. Amid the geopolitical uncertainties and the disruptions in the world, it is important to try to find this in relationships, said Mr Ong at the opening of a defence industry trade show on board the UK aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. Mr Ong, a former defence chief, said: 'The certainty in our relationship with the UK is one such thing that we continue to rely on, and the fact that we're able to stand here as the world around us loses their heads, is testimony to abiding friendship and abiding relationships and abiding trust.' Some 30 UK businesses were gathered in the cavernous hangar of the 284m-long vessel – the flagship of a multinational UK-led strike group, which docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre on June 23. The group is on an eight-month deployment to ensure the stability of the Indo-Pacific called Operation Highmast, which departed from Britain in April, with the ships sailing from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Also speaking at the opening, British Minister of State for Defence, Lord Vernon Coaker, said the carrier's hangar makes an ideal setting to showcase some of the UK and Singapore's world leading technology and the innovation of their defence companies. This event falls in the same month that the UK published a strategic defence review, which names Singapore as a key partner, he noted. He said: '(This) reflects our commitment to developing our defence cooperation and inter-operability as Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) partners. The review makes clear that our policy of Nato first does not mean Nato only.' Singapore and the UK, along with Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia, are members of the FPDA, which will convene for the annual Bersama Lima drills in September. The HMS Prince of Wales is scheduled to join the exercise – the first aircraft carrier to do so since 1997. The visit is a rare opportunity for the industry and new technology companies to represent themselves, said Mr Marcus Ralphs, enterprise commercial lead for Whitespace, an artificial intelligence (AI) company whose technology is being used on the HMS Prince of Wales. The company provides an AI platform for organisations with higher security needs, like militaries. The visit is is hugely valuable to show that UK and Singapore industry players can partner effectively not just as individual companies but collectively, he said on the sidelines of the event. Ms Natasha Pheiffer, regional managing director for British multinational aerospace, defence, and security company BAE Systems, said the company is very pleased to contribute to the carrier strike group's deployment and the visit to Singapore. British F-35B fighter jets on the flight deck of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre on June 24, 2025. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG She said: 'With world-class equipment across the fleet, we had the opportunity to promote our capability to our colleagues and friends in Singapore and beyond.' British Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle said at the sidelines of the event that the UK is here to show its partners around the world that British companies are available for them to partner with as well. He said: 'When you look at the global economy, the high growth sectors: space automation, AI, health technology, climate technology, drones – these are all areas where Singapore has real expertise, and Britain is leading the world in many of these areas. So there are some great opportunities for us to come together and fully seize the moment.' Some work is already being done ahead of the drills in September. Speaking to the media at a doorstop earlier that day, the commander of the carrier strike group, Commodore James Blackmore, said he is meeting senior leaders from the Republic of Singapore Navy on this visit. He said: 'We increasingly recognise that as we go forward, the two navies need to be able to operate together.' (From left) Captain Will Blackett, Commodore James Blackmore and Captain Colin McGannity speaking to the press on the flight deck of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, docked at the Marina Bay Cruise Centre. ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG Some preparations are happening during this deployment, he added. This will allow the two countries to bring their navies together when the carrier is back for Bersama Lima, he said. He said: 'That's where we'll see all of those five navies coming together and air forces and working seamlessly during that exercise, that then gives us the confidence that we know we can all dock in and work together.' The carrier is set to leave Singapore on June 29. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Focus Malaysia
6 days ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
SDR 2025 and Malaysia's Defence Response
THE Strategic Defence Review (SDR) 2025 highlights the United Kingdom's position as a central pillar of NATO while also reinforcing its commitment to key alliances such as AUKUS and the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), the latter of which includes Malaysia as a founding member. As global security dynamics shift, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, the UK and its allies are increasingly turning to mini-lateral and technology-focused defence pacts to counter emerging threats. Malaysia, while traditionally adopting a non-aligned and hedging posture in international affairs, can no longer afford to remain on the sidelines of these evolving security frameworks. The growing prominence of mini-lateral arrangements means that countries not actively engaged risk being excluded from future regional security architectures especially those involving the sharing of high-end defence technologies. To stay relevant and enhance its strategic value, Malaysia should take proactive steps to strengthen the FPDA. This includes advocating for deeper technological collaboration among member states through initiatives such as joint drone exercises, AI-driven wargaming, and interoperability trials. These steps would modernise the FPDA's operational focus and align it more closely with the demands of 21st-century warfare. Additionally, Malaysia should leverage its existing strategic partnerships with countries like the UK, Japan, Australia, and South Korea to build capacity in critical areas such as cyber defence, logistics resilience, and defence industry co-development. These partnerships can serve as platforms for technology transfer, joint training and capability development. Also, Malaysia should consider initiating a Defence Tech Dialogue with AUKUS partners. While not a member of AUKUS, Malaysia can benefit from structured engagement that ensures it remains part of conversations around defence innovation and regional security planning. Defence industrial base and economic security The UK's SDR draws a clear link between national security and economic security, emphasising the need for a resilient and sovereign defence industrial base. This includes not only the capacity to export but also the ability to rapidly scale production during times of crisis. In contrast, Malaysia's defence industry remains fragmented, heavily dependent on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suffers from a lack of consistent research and development investment. To build a more self-reliant and future-proof defence sector, Malaysia should begin by launching a Defence Industrial Masterplan 2030. This strategic blueprint should outline clear targets for developing indigenous capabilities in critical technologies such as drones, sensors, artificial intelligence (AI), and command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems. Establishing such goals would provide long-term direction and attract both public and private investment into key technology areas. Reorganising and scaling up existing institutions like DEFTECH and the Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE) is also essential. These organisations should be supported through direct state funding and venture-capital-style investment mechanisms, taking inspiration from innovation-driven models used in Denmark. Such support would enable them to incubate advanced technologies, commercialise innovations, and compete globally. Additionally, Malaysia should implement a 'Buy Malaysian First' policy for defence procurement. Prioritising local suppliers during the early phases of technology adoption would help cultivate a robust domestic ecosystem, encourage knowledge transfer, and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. Over time, this approach would contribute to building a more sovereign and agile Malaysian defence industry capable of supporting both national security and economic resilience. Strategic communication and national resilience The SDR places strong emphasis on resilience as a broad concept encompassing not just military strength, but also the robustness of infrastructure, the integrity of information, and the cohesion of society. In today's strategic environment, cyber warfare, disinformation, and psychological operations have become standard tools of geopolitical competition, often targeting a nation's vulnerabilities without the need for conventional force. Malaysia's capacity in cyber defence remains limited and lacks an integrated framework that bridges the military and civilian spheres. To address this gap, Mindef has announced the formation of the Defence Cyber and Electromagnetic Division (DCED), which will align the Malaysian Armed Forces with international standards and advance the goals outlined in the Defence White Paper. This command would be responsible for overseeing military cyber operations and would work closely with the National Cyber Security Agency (NACSA) to ensure seamless coordination between defence and civilian cybersecurity efforts. Such a structure would allow for more effective responses to cyber incidents and enhance national cyber resilience. In parallel, Malaysia must strengthen its information warfare capabilities. This involves training and equipping specialised psychological operations (PsyOps) units capable of detecting, countering, and pre-empting foreign disinformation campaigns. These units would play a vital role in safeguarding public perception, preserving national unity, and ensuring that the information space is not dominated by hostile narratives. Lastly, national resilience must extend to the civilian population. Increasing public awareness through civil defence drills, strategic communication campaigns, and the inclusion of national security education in school curricula would help prepare society to face non-traditional threats. Building societal resilience ensures that Malaysians are not only protected by the state but also active participants in the nation's defence against hybrid and information warfare. The time to act is now. Waiting until the next conflict or crisis emerges will be too late. Proactive adaptation is not just a strategic choice but it is a national imperative. ‒ June 24, 2025 R. Paneir Selvam is the principal consultant of Arunachala Research & Consultancy Sdn Bhd, a think tank specialising in strategic national and geopolitical matters. The views expressed are solely of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia. Main image: Unsplash
Straits Times
01-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Australia DPM meets Singapore leaders, reaffirms defence relationship with Singapore
Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and Australia DPM and Defence Minister Richard Marles reaffirmed Australia's long-standing bilateral defence relationship with Singapore at the June 1 meeting. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/CHAN CHUN SING SINGAPORE — Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles met with Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing on June 1. Mr Marles, who was in town for the Shangri-La Dialogue, also called on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during his visit. At their dinner meeting, Mr Chan and Marles reaffirmed Singapore and Australia's close and long-standing bilateral defence relationship, which extends to the Asean Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus and Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), Mindef said in a statement. The two leaders also looked forward to strengthening defence cooperation under the next phase of their countries' Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). These include areas such as support for expanded access to facilities in each other's country, and deeper cooperation in defence science and technology, as well as defence logistics and supply chains. Singapore and Australia said previously that they intend to sign an ambitious and wide-ranging new CSP in 2025, when the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations. The new agreement would build on a 'great track record' of cooperation achieved since the first CSP was signed in 2015, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said in Dec 2024 at the 14th Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee meeting here. The ADMM-Plus, which had been meeting annually since 2017, is a platform for Asean and its eight dialogue partners – Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States – to strengthen security and defence cooperation in the region. The FPDA is an arrangement among Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom, which first took form in 1971 to safeguard the external defence of Singapore and Malaysia, amid the withdrawal of British forces from Singapore. At their June 1 meeting, Mr Chan further expressed appreciation for Australia's support for the joint development of training areas in Australia, which will benefit both armed forces through an increase in training capacity and more sophisticated training opportunities. Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel will have access to training areas in Australia that are approximately 10 times the size of the city-state by 2028, when the expanded Shoalwater Bay Training Area and the new Greenvale Training Area in Queensland are completed, the SAF said previously. Mr Marles was in Singapore with a delegation of senior Australian officials, including Admiral David Johnston, Australia's chief of defence force, and Mr Greg Moriarty, who is secretary of its Department of Defence. Earlier in the day, Mr Chan also hosted a ministerial roundtable, and met with Sweden Minister for Defence Pål Jonson, and Indian Armed Forces Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. The 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue was attended by more than 40 minister-level representatives, and another 40-plus chiefs of defence forces and senior defence officials from 47 countries. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
