Established in 1971.
The Anglo-Malaysian Defence Agreement (AMDA) was replaced by the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) on 1 November 1971. 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”.
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).
FPDA over the years
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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.
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Area Defence System
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.
In 2000, HQIADS officially changed its title from Air Defence to Area Defence.
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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.
Foundations & principles
The FPDA’s founding principles continue to form the bedrock of activities and exercises. First, as a defensive arrangement, the FPDA should maintain a non-threatening posture to avoid rousing sensitivities in the region. Second, as a multilateral security arrangement, the FPDA should proceed at a pace comfortable to all, cognisant of multilateral, bilateral and national sensitivities. Third, given the constantly changing strategic environment, the FPDA should continually develop and evolve to remain relevant as a security arrangement.
At the 10th FPDA Defence Ministers’ Meeting in 2017, the founding principles were contemporised to the ‘3Rs’. The 3Rs complement the founding principles and together they continue to guide the FPDA decision making and activity.
First, the FPDA should not deviate from its Remit in contributing to the external defence of Malaysia and Singapore. Second, the FPDA should develop and evolve to ensure its Relevance as a regional security arrangement at a pace comfortable to all. Third, the FPDA should maintain its purpose and portrayal as a defensive arrangement to provide Reassurance to the region.