Editing Five Power Defence Arrangements (section)

==History==
[[File:Avro Vulcan Malaysia.jpg|thumb|An [[Avro Vulcan]] [[strategic bomber]] of [[Royal Air Force]] at [[RMAF Butterworth]].]]
The FPDA was set up following the termination of the United Kingdom's defence guarantees of Malaya under the [[Anglo-Malayan Defence Agreement]], as a result of the [[1966 Defence White Paper|UK's decision in 1967]] to withdraw its [[British Armed Forces|armed forces]] [[east of Suez]] on 1 November 1971. Under the Five Powers Defence Arrangements, the five member-nations of ([[Australia]], [[Malaysia]], [[New Zealand]], [[Singapore]] and the [[United Kingdom]]) agreed to consult one another in the event of armed aggression against Malaysia and Singapore. The 1971 Joint Communiqué states: 

“In the event of any form of armed attack externally organised or supported or the threat of such attack against Malaysia and Singapore, their governments would immediately consult together for the purpose of deciding what measures should be taken jointly or separately in relation to such attack or threat”.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fivepowerdefencearrangements.org/history | title=History }}</ref>

In line with the FPDA Joint Communiqué of 16 April 1971, two councils, the Joint Consultative Council and the Air Defence Council, were established. The Joint Consultative Council provided a forum for regular consultations at the senior official-level on matters relating to the defence arrangements. The Air Defence Council was responsible for the functioning of the Headquarters Integrated Air Defence System (HQIADS). 

With the expansion and complexity of FPDA exercises and the move towards joint and combined exercises over the years, the two councils were amalgamated in terms of their functions and tasks as well as memberships to improve the management and coordination of FPDA activities. The merged Council was named the FPDA Consultative Council (FCC).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fivepowerdefencearrangements.org/history | title=History }}</ref>

===Air defence===
During the early years of FPDA, the arrangements were focused on the air defence of Malaysia and Singapore. Commander IADS held the responsibility and authority for operational air defence. By 1990, Malaysia and Singapore’s military capacity progressed, and the FPDA’s focus shifted towards training and support.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fivepowerdefencearrangements.org/history | title=History }}</ref>

The FPDA based at [[RMAF Butterworth]] under the command of an Australian [[Air Vice-Marshal]] ([[2 star rank|2-star]]). RMAF Butterworth, was under the control of the [[Royal Australian Air Force]] until 1988, and is now run by the [[Royal Malaysian Air Force]] but hosts rotating detachments of aircraft and personnel from all five countries.

===Area defence system===
In 1981, the five powers organised the first annual land and naval exercises. Since 1997, the naval and air exercises have been combined. 

In the 1990s, land exercises were added to the exercise programme and by 2000 the FPDA was actively pursuing the development of a capability for joint and combined operations in which air defence would contribute only as part of broader air, land, and maritime operations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fivepowerdefencearrangements.org/history | title=History }}</ref>

In 2001, HQ IADS was redesignated Headquarters Integrated "Area" Defence System. It now has personnel from all three branches of the armed services, and co-ordinates the annual five-power naval and air exercises, while moving towards the fuller integration of land elements. An annual FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference (FDCC) is hosted by either Malaysia or Singapore, and is the highest military professional forum of the FPDA and serves as an important platform for dialogue and exchange of views among the Defence Chiefs.<ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/nr/2013/nov/07nov13_nr.html#.UnwdBpy5_Kk |title=News - Singapore Hosts 15th FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference (07 Nov 13) |publisher=MINDEF |access-date=7 April 2014 |archive-date=15 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315070216/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/nr/2013/nov/07nov13_nr.html#.UnwdBpy5_Kk |url-status=dead }}</ref> There is also a Five Powers Defence Arrangements Ministerial Meeting (FDMM).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theyworkforyou.com/wrans/?id=2013-11-05a.173509.h&s=Five+Powers+Defence+Arrangements#g173509.q0 |title=Military Alliances: 5 Nov 2013: HansardHansard Written Answers |publisher=TheyWorkForYou |date=5 November 2013 |access-date=7 April 2014}}</ref>

[[File:Cope Taufan 140618-F-XT249-549.jpg|thumb|[[RMAF Butterworth]] in [[Penang]], [[Malaysia]].]]
[[John Moore (Australian politician)|John Moore]], then [[Minister of Defence (Australia)|Minister of Defence of Australia]] said, "As an established [[multilateralism|multilateral]] security framework, the FPDA has a unique role in Asia. It is of strategic benefit to all member nations and, in Australia's view, to the wider [[Asia-Pacific]] region."<ref>{{cite press release |url= http://www.defence.gov.au/minister/Mooretpl.cfm?CurrentId=192|title=Media Release: Five Power Defence Meeting|date=4 July 2000 |publisher= Defence Ministers & Parliamentary Secretary(Australia)|access-date=25 November 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080202162440/http://www.defence.gov.au/minister/Mooretpl.cfm?CurrentId=192 |archive-date = 2 February 2008}}</ref> Malaysia's CDF, former General (GEN) Tan Sri Dato' Sri Zulkifeli Bin Mohd Zin concurred: "We can help each other... and cooperate with one another."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/resourcelibrary/cyberpioneer/topics/articles/news/2013/nov/07nov13_news.html#.UnwfB5y5_Kk |title=Cyberpioneer - Five Power Defence Arrangements remain relevant (07 Nov 13) |publisher=Mindef.gov.sg |date=7 November 2013 |access-date=7 April 2014 |archive-date=28 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828144813/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/resourcelibrary/cyberpioneer/topics/articles/news/2013/nov/07nov13_news.html#.UnwfB5y5_Kk |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the latest New Zealand defence White Paper released in June 2016, it was outlined that given New Zealand was a longstanding member of the Five Power Defence Arrangements, it would, "meet its commitments should Malaysia or Singapore be subject to a military attack."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nzdf.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/public-docs/2016/defence-white-paper-2016.pdf/|title=Defence White Paper 2016|publisher=The New Zealand Ministry of Defence Manatū Kaupapa Waonga|date=June 2016|accessdate=9 June 2016|archive-date=4 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804113221/http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/downloads/pdf/public-docs/2016/defence-white-paper-2016.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===40th anniversary===
On 1 November 2011, Singapore hosted FPDA's 40th anniversary celebrations, with the defence ministers, aircraft and servicemen from all five signatory countries converging on [[Changi Air Base (East)]] to participate in the event. Later, a gala dinner was hosted by Singaporean Defence Minister [[Ng Eng Hen]] at [[Istana (Singapore)|Singapore's Istana]] whereupon they called on Prime Minister of Singapore [[Lee Hsien Loong]] to discuss a multitude of issues. Codenamed ''Exercise Bersama Lima'', the three days joint exercise tested the readiness and co-operation between all participating countries and concluded on 4 November 2011.<ref name="MINDEF1">{{cite press release|title=Singapore Hosts FPDA 40th Anniversary Celebrations|publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (Singapore)|Singaporean Ministry of Defence (MINDEF)]]|date=1 November 2011|url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2011/nov/01nov11_nr.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224234251/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2011/nov/01nov11_nr.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 December 2012|access-date=2 November 2011}}</ref>

===50th anniversary===
On 18 October 2021, FPDA celebrated its 50th anniversary with joint air and naval displays involving the ships and aircraft of the member countries. These were observed by Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and the [[High Commissioner]]s of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Prior to this, a two-week joint exercise had taken place, known as Exercise Bersama Gold in honour of the FPDA's [[golden jubilee]]. It was the first FPDA exercise held since the start of the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and involved 2,600 military personnel, air and maritime sea training exercises, and a virtual jungle warfare workshop.<ref name="bersamagold">{{cite news |title=FPDA Member-Nations Commemorate 50 Years of Friendship and Close Defence Relations |url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2021/October/18oct21_nr |access-date=20 October 2021 |agency=Singapore Government |date=18 October 2021 |archive-date=23 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211023232540/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2021/October/18oct21_nr |url-status=dead }}</ref> Participating ships included the Australian amphibious assault ship {{ship|HMAS|Canberra|L02|6}} and New Zealand's {{HMNZS|Aotearoa}} replenishment tanker. The British destroyer {{HMS|Diamond|D34|6}} also took part in the exercise but missed the final days due to technical issues.<ref name="cna1">{{cite news |last1=Mahmud |first1=Aqil Haziq |title=FPDA nations mark 50 years of defence pact with aerial, naval display at Marina South |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/fpda-nations-mark-50-years-defence-pact-aerial-naval-display-marina-south-2251426 |access-date=20 October 2021 |work=Channel News Asia |date=18 October 2021}}</ref> Whilst in the region at the time, {{HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}} did not participate in the exercise, likely due to the presence of [[United States Marine Corps]] on the aircraft carrier.<ref name="usmc">{{cite news |last1=Graham |first1=Euan |title=Reflections on the Royal Navy's Indo-Pacific engagement |url=https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2021/10/reflections-on-the-royal-navys-indo-pacific-engagement |access-date=20 October 2021 |work=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |date=19 October 2021}}</ref>

===50 years and beyond===
The five member-nations continue to contribute to combined and joint exercises, and training opportunities that focus on high-end conventional warfighting, while also being flexible in responding to the changing security landscape. This includes expanding maritime security, counter-terrorism, HADR, and non-combatant evacuation operations. 

Additionally, new and emerging capabilities will become more prevalent over the next decade, such as cybersecurity and unmanned aircraft systems. Progress on developing capacity in these areas will continue to be made at a pace comfortable to all member-nations.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fivepowerdefencearrangements.org/history | title=History }}</ref>

===FPDA website===
Minister for Defence Dr [[Ng Eng Hen]] hosted the 12th Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) Defence Ministers' Meeting [FDMM] in Singapore on the 31th May 2024. The meeting was attended by Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, Malaysian Defence Minister Dato' Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, New Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins KC, and the United Kingdom's Director General (Security Policy) Paul Wyatt.<ref>https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2024/May/31may24_nr2 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}</ref>

The official FPDA website, https://www.fivepowerdefencearrangements.org/ was also launched on the FDMM, that seeks to give additional insight to the public on how the FPDA functions as a defensive arrangement aimed at building trust and confidence in the region.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nst.com.my/world/region/2024/05/1057830/fpda-expand-cooperations-non-conventional-areas | title=FPDA to expand cooperations into non-conventional areas &#124; New Straits Times | date=31 May 2024 }}</ref>

The FPDA Website serves to promote the FPDA as an authoritative source on its history, supporting the guiding principles of; Remit; Relevance; and Reassurance.  It seeks to demonstrate the FPDA’s relevance as a security arrangement, with accurate information and provide a comprehensive story of the FPDA.