Ships of four nations berthed at Kemaman, Malaysia.
Left to right - Two frigates HMAS ADELAIDE & CANBERRA, RFA BLACK ROVER (UK), three Singapore missile corvettes, TE KAHA and two Australian patrol craft (far right).

New Zealand Defence Force
Te Ope Kaatua O Aotearoa

Media Release
15 September 2005

Kiwi Sailors and Airmen Begin Multi-National Exercise

HMNZS Te Kaha is one of 20 warships from five nations heading to the South China Sea for the annual Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) exercise.

Naval and Air Forces from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and the UK are taking part in Exercise Bersama, which runs 15-28 September.

The main objective is for the FDPA Defence Forces to conduct operations in a multi threat scenario.

During Bersama Lima, Te Kaha will engage in a series of exercises designed to hone surveillance, interception and boarding skills.

A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion is also taking part in the Exercise.

Operating out of Butterworth Air Base in northern Malaysia, the Orion will today being flying surveillance missions over the South China Sea.

The challenge for the aircrew will be to distinguish the different types of vessels operating in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.

The New Zealand contribution also includes the Naval Operational Dive Team and a number of personnel working at the combined headquarters in Penang.

ENDS

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