Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen hosted breakfast today for Australia Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Malaysia Minister of Defence Dato' Seri Mohamad Hasan, New Zealand Minister of Defence Andrew Little, and the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace on the sidelines of the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue.

During the breakfast, the Ministers reaffirmed their nations' commitment to the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and acknowledged the significant progress that the FPDA has made since its inception. They discussed the importance of the FPDA as a constructive and peaceful arrangement, which has served as an anchor for regional security and stability.

The Ministers also agreed that the FPDA provided a valuable platform for member-nations' militaries to strengthen interoperability and enhance cooperation through regular exercises such as Exercise Bersama Shield and Exercise Bersama Lima. The Ministers further exchanged views on ways to enhance the FPDA's relevance by strengthening the operational value of the exercises in conventional areas, and growing collaboration in non-conventional domains in the face of contemporary security challenges.

Formed in 1971, the FPDA continues to play a key role in promoting regional cooperation, and contributes constructively to the regional security architecture through the conduct of regular exercises, dialogues, and platforms for professional interactions.