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Singapore Hosts 23rd FPDA Defence Chiefs’ Conference

29 May 2025

The Defence Chiefs of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) member-nations gathered in Singapore on 29 May 2025 for the 23rd FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference (FDCC).

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Five military officers in uniform pose under flags of Australia, Malaysia, NZ, Singapore, UK.
Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Vice Admiral (VADM) Aaron Beng (centre) with Australia's CDF Admiral David Johnston, Malaysia's CDF General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar, New Zealand's CDF Air Marshal Tony Davies, and the United Kingdom's Chief of Defence...

The Defence Chiefs of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) member-nations gathered in Singapore on 29 May 2025 for the 23rd FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference (FDCC). The conference, chaired by Singapore's Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Vice Admiral (VADM) Aaron Beng, brings together Australia's CDF Admiral David Johnston, Malaysia's CDF General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar, New Zealand's CDF Air Marshal Tony Davies, and the United Kingdom's Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin.

During the conference, the Defence Chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to the FPDA. They exchanged views on the ever-changing regional security landscape and discussed opportunities to strengthen defence cooperation and enhance interoperability between their armed forces. The Defence Chiefs also welcomed the participation of advanced platforms and assets, such as the Australia’s F-35 fighter aircraft and the United Kingdom's Carrier Strike Group in upcoming FPDA exercises, which demonstrates the member-state’s commitment to regional security and the FPDA.

Following the conference, VADM Beng highlighted the enduring value of the FPDA. He said, “The FPDA is one of the longest-standing regional security groupings in this region, having been established in 1971…We evolve and progress as a regional security grouping at a pace comfortable to all and ensure that we meet evolving security needs…We are a defensive arrangement, and we ensure that all our activities are done in a manner that is reassuring to the region. We have maintained a steady cadence of activities over this past year – this includes command post exercises, full troop exercises, and many other meetings and exchanges. Our next upcoming full troop exercise is our high key annual exercise, known as Exercise Bersama Lima….We will also look forward to the inclusion of advanced assets such as the F-35 from the Australian Air Force, as well as a UK aircraft carrier.” 

The FDCC, which is hosted alternately by Malaysia and Singapore, serves as the highest professional military forum of the FPDA. The previous conference was hosted by Malaysia in 2023.

The Defence Chiefs also called on Singapore's Minister for Defence Mr Chan Chun Sing earlier this morning.

Five military officers in uniform pose under flags of Australia, Malaysia, NZ, Singapore, UK.

Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Vice Admiral (VADM) Aaron Beng (centre) with Australia's CDF Admiral David Johnston, Malaysia's CDF General Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar, New Zealand's CDF Air Marshal Tony Davies, and the United Kingdom's Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin (left to right) at the 23rd Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Chiefs' Conference (FDCC).

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23rd Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Chiefs’ Conference

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