COMMITMENT
9 Five Power Defence Arrangements
(FPDA)
Under the FPDA, the participating powers (UK, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand) undertake to consult in the event of attack or threat of attack on Malaysia or Singapore. There is no specific commitment to intervene militarily.
Main physical manifestations of FPDA are the integrated Air Defence System (IADS) for West Malaysia and Singapore and a programme of joint exercises.
FPDA Defence Ministers meet every 3 years.
10 British Indian Ocean Territory
(BIOT)
Joint US/UK Defence Facility on Diego Garcia.
11 Armilla Patrol
FORCE DEPLOYMENT
No permanent UK contribution except for 5 RAF personnel in the IADS HQ at RMAF Butterworth
Since 1981, there have been annual exercise programmes under the FPDA consisting of naval, land command post and air defence exercises. In recent years all 3 UK services have participated. For 1991 the UK deployments will comprise a destroyer and Patrol Craft from Hong Kong, and a Royal Marines Contingent. In previous years up to 4 Tornadoes and a VC10 have taken part.
42 Royal Navy and Royal Marines serving in Diego Garcia, fulfilling civilian tasks but also acting as security force for BIOT.
Consists of 2 Destroyer/ Frigates in the Gulf area, with a third vessel deployed further afield in the Indian Ocean but available for speedy return to the Gulf if needed.
PROPOSED CHANGES
No changes are proposed under Options for Change although RAF and naval deployments will be affected by the reversion of Hong Kong to China. Indeed we and the MOD agreed in 1989 to renew efforts to make our contribution to the FPDA as positive as possible.
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None. MOD have however complained from time to time about deployment of manpower.
It has been agreed with the MOD that the patrol will be reduced to a 2-vessel operation by the end of 1991, with one in the Gulf and one further afield.
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