FPDA Defence Ministers: FPDA Integral in Ensuring Security and Confidence-Building in the Region

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted the 10th Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Ministers' Meeting (FDMM) in Singapore earlier today. The meeting was attended by Australian Minister for Defence Marise Payne, Malaysian Minister of Defence Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, New Zealand Minister of Defence Mark Mitchell and the British High Commissioner to Singapore Scott Wightman.

The Ministers and High Commissioner had fruitful discussions on regional developments and current security challenges, where they noted that the FPDA has been an integral element of the regional security architecture. Affirming the vital confidence-building role that the FPDA plays, they agreed to enhance the observers programme for non-FPDA countries in the region to observe FPDA exercises in the spirit of promoting the FPDA's transparency. 

Looking to the 50th anniversary of the FPDA in 2021, the Ministers and High Commissioner pledged their support for the FPDA's continued efforts to enhance the operational value of its exercises, and to maintain its strategic relevance in the contemporary security architecture. In this regard, Dr Ng shared that the meeting has agreed to "update the relevance of the FPDA both in terms of the exercises, integration of new capabilities, as well as to deal with current security threats in response to a changing security environment, which now includes counter-terrorism and maritime security." 

The Defence Ministers and High Commissioner Wightman also called on Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak via video-teleconference, as well as Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Istana, during which both Prime Ministers expressed strong support for the FPDA. 

The FDMM is held every three years, with Singapore and Malaysia taking turns to host. It is the pinnacle decision-making platform of the FPDA.

###

Quotes from the FPDA Defence Ministers and UK High Commission to Singapore on the relevance of the FPDA

All countries and Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the FPDA as an integral part of the regional security architecture in this region… We look forward to the 50th anniversary of the FPDA where we will continue to monitor the progress and the continued relevance of the FPDA.

- Singapore Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen

The FPDA is a platform, we feel, that not only has the historical dimension but also the trust between these five nations to face whatever challenges the world has got to face today.

- Malaysia Minister of Defence Dato' Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein

The fact that we have, through the FPDA, an organisation and arrangement that is able to be responsive to that challenge (terrorism) that has endured over almost 50 years now, is in fact a very important matter to acknowledge. It is an integral part of the broad regional security architecture. What it gives us in people-to-people relationships at the military level, at the Ministerial level, and more broadly is essential to our capacity to defeat these threats, to work together, to exercise together, (and) to train together where appropriate.

- Australia Minister for Defence Marise Payne

The discussions were very good and in our view, the FPDA has always been very relevant and important in terms of regional security. But I think that it is growing even more in relevance in terms of the growing challenges that we see globally.

- New Zealand Minister of Defence Mark Mitchell

I think we have shown this morning as well that the FPDA is absolutely relevant for the current security agenda and able to adapt to it and it is a shared determination amongst all five members that we should be using our full range of capabilities to address those emerging threats... The commitment of the UK to the FPDA is unwavering and will continue.

- UK High Commissioner to Singapore Scott Wightman

More Resources

Joint Statement: 10th Five Power Defence Arrangements Defence Ministers' Meeting in Singapore, 2 June 2017