The Defence Chiefs of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) member nations convened at Conrad Orchard Hotel, Singapore for the 23rd FPDA Defence Chiefs’ Conference (FDCC) on 29 May 2025, hosted by Singapore. The FDCC, which is hosted alternately between Singapore and Malaysia, is the highest professional military forum of the FPDA and serves as the key platform for dialogue and exchange of views among Defence Chiefs. Malaysia hosted the previous conference in 2023.

Chaired by Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief of Defence Force of Singapore, the 23rd FDCC saw participation from Admiral David Johnston, AC, RAN, Chief of Defence Force of Australia; General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar, Chief of Defence Force of Malaysia; Air Marshal Tony Davies, Chief of Defence Force of New Zealand; Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Chief of the Defence Staff of the United Kingdom.

During the conference, the Defence Chiefs reaffirmed their continued commitment to the FPDA and its founding principles since its inception 54 years ago, emphasising its continued relevance in an ever-changing security landscape. The Defence Chiefs also emphasised the importance of the ‘3Rs’ (Remit, Relevance, and Reassurance) which guide the FPDA’s development and future outlook. Additionally, they highlighted the FPDA’s significance as a transparent and constructive multilateral arrangement within the regional security architecture.

The FPDA remains relevant by adapting to contemporary security challenges. The FPDA exercises have evolved to incorporate non-conventional elements such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to complement the regular conduct of large-scale conventional serials.

The Defence Chiefs also discussed and acknowledged the importance of ensuring that the FPDA remains relevant and continues to contribute to regional peace and security. In line with this, the Defence Chiefs reaffirmed conventional exercises as the cornerstone of FPDA cooperation, enhancing interoperability among member-nations’ militaries and strengthening multilateral ties.

The Defence Chiefs commended the achievements of the FPDA activities and exercises since the last FDCC in 2023. This included the successful conduct of Exercise BERSAMA SHIELD in 2024 and 2025, and Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2024. The Defence Chiefs also looked forward to Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 2025 – which will feature high-end warfighting serials and next-generation assets such as the Australia’s F-35s and United Kingdom’s Carrier Strike Group. The inclusion of next generation capabilities exemplifies the unity and strength of the FPDA and reaffirms the continued commitment of member-nations to strengthening the operational value of the FPDA exercises. Air Vice-Marshal Nathan Christie, Commander of Headquarters Integrated Area Defence System (HQIADS), also provided updates on HQIADS’ development and role in enhancing FPDA exercises.

The Defence Chiefs issued the FPDA Exercise Concept Directive 2025 and endorsed a five-year roadmap for the FPDA’s advancement. This directive and roadmap will guide the development of FPDA exercises and initiatives, enhancing its capacity for both conventional and non-conventional operations.

As part of the proceedings of the FDCC, the FPDA Defence Chiefs called on Singapore’s Minister for Defence prior to the commencement of the FDCC. The Defence Chiefs expressed their commendation for the successfully convening of the 23rd FDCC and looked forward to continued collaboration within the FPDA framework.