Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Spey has participated in Exercise Bersama Lima 24, joining Commonwealth allies in Southeast Asia for a demonstration of unity and military cooperation, according to a Royal Navy news release.
The exercise, which involved the forces of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK under the Five-Power Defence Arrangement, highlighted the longstanding partnership aimed at ensuring regional security in the Indo-Pacific.
HMS Spey, known for its distinctive dazzle paintwork, was one of five ships to take part in the exercise, alongside 38 aircraft and over 2,000 military personnel.
The naval element featured complex warfare scenarios such as air defence, escort missions, and naval gun firing. HMS Spey worked alongside warships from the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy.
Lieutenant Commander Kris White, Spey’s Executive Officer, highlighted the benefits of the exercise for his relatively young crew, saying it provided invaluable opportunities to form and strengthen professional relationships with counterparts from other nations. “Exercises like Bersama Lima provide invaluable opportunities to enhance our cooperation, interoperability, and trust with our regional partners,” he noted. He further emphasized the importance of these exercises in addressing shared security challenges in an evolving global landscape.
General Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohammad bin Ab Rahman, Malaysia’s Chief of Defence Forces, praised the exercise for demonstrating the “shared purpose” of the five nations, stressing the importance of remaining vigilant, agile, and united in the face of shifting security challenges. “The friendships and professional ties we have forged here will continue to grow and evolve as we embark on future exercises,” he added.
Exercise Bersama Lima 24 spanned 18 days and included both land-based planning and active naval, air, and ground operations, reinforcing the collective readiness of the participating nations to respond to any threats in the region.
Is that a Bofors 57mm on the 3rd ship back, Malaysian frigate?
Do we know how well the gun is doing in service with other navies?
If Starmer said the other day, that the UK needs more presence in Pacific, so we need a uplift in RN presence there?
If the need is more urgent, could that mean a interim purchase of a vessels from the U.S? What would we buy, LCS?