23rd FPDA Defence Chiefs' Conference

The Defence Chiefs of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the United Kingdom have reaffirmed their nations' strong commitment to maintaining the relevance of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) as a key contributor to regional peace and security. This reaffirmation underscores the importance of sustaining the momentum of regular FPDA exercises and continuing efforts to enhance interoperability among member nations’ armed forces. The Chiefs emphasized that conventional exercises remain the cornerstone of FPDA cooperation, as they not only strengthen operational effectiveness but also reinforce multilateral defence ties. In light of evolving security dynamics, the FPDA is also exploring avenues to address emerging threats, including the protection of Asia’s critical undersea infrastructure such as power and data cables—recognizing their growing strategic importance in the region.