Partner forces from Europe, Oceania and Southeast Asia honed battle plans for “the cutting edge of warfare” during Exercise Suman Warrior in New Zealand. Personnel from the member states of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) — Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom — rehearsed command, staff and logistics procedures during the drills at Linton Military Camp in early November 2025.
“Training with partner forces deepens mutual trust, understanding, and respect — the very qualities that sustain enduring friendships, and enhance interoperability and operational excellence,” stated Lt. Col. Bani Faizal, who led the Singapore Armed Forces contingent. “The exercise continues to provide an invaluable platform for professional interaction and knowledge exchange among the FPDA land forces.”
The FPDA was established in 1971 as a nonbinding security accord centered on defending Malaysia and Singapore, both of which had gained independence in the preceding decade. It is Southeast Asia’s only multilateral defense arrangement. The annual Suman Warrior is among several FPDA exercises; Bersama Lima in September 2025 drew more than 2,100 personnel, 60 aircraft and 10 warships for air, land, sea and cyber drills around the Malay Peninsula.
“Exercises like these, which fundamentally revolve around building strong partnerships and working together to protect our region, also allow us to sharpen tactics, develop the most effective battle plans and learn from each other to stay at the cutting edge of warfare,” New Zealand Army Col. Mike van Welie said.
“It may look less intense than firing live rounds in the training area, but it’s certainly no less important, because without a robust tactical plan, your frontline troops won’t be as effective,” he said.
The command post drills at the New Zealand Army’s largest camp featured five battle groups devising tactical responses to a conflict scenario designed by the New Zealand Army’s 1st Brigade and Army Training Group’s Mission Command Training Centre. Each plan was entered into a simulation program for war-gaming and analysis, according to the New Zealand Defence Force.
“Not only do our personnel get an opportunity to test their tactical skills in a high-intensity environment, but they get to do so alongside some incredibly talented military minds from our ally and partner nations,” van Welie said.
FPDA engagements include high-end conventional warfighting, humanitarian assistance, counterterrorism and maritime security, said Vice Adm. Justin Jones, the Australian Defence Force’s joint operations chief.
Jones and other FPDA military leaders met in Australia in mid-2025 to discuss future exercises as the pact adapts to emerging security challenges, including China’s rapid military buildup and aggressive posturing, particularly in the South China Sea. Beijing arbitrarily claims much of the vital global trade route as its territory in defiance of an international tribunal’s 2016 ruling rejecting those claims. In mid-2024, for example, China demanded that Malaysia halt oil exploration at Luconia Shoals, within Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone. Kuala Lumpur reiterated that it would continue oil and gas exploration in its waters.
“Exercise Suman Warrior 2025 is a demonstration of Australia’s enduring commitment to working with our regional partners in support of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific that respects sovereignty,” Jones said.