HMNZS Te Kaha was one of 20 warships from five nations which took part in the annual Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) exercise in the South China Sea recently.
Naval and Air Forces from New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and the UK are taking part in Exercise Bersama Lima, from September 15-28.
The main objective was for the FDPA Defence Forces to conduct operations in a multi- threat scenario.
During Bersama Lima, Te Kaha engaged in a series of exercises designed to hone surveillance, interception and boarding skills. A Royal New Zealand Air Force Orion also took part in the exercise. Operating out of Butterworth Air Base in northern Malaysia, the Orion flew surveillance missions over the South China Sea.
The challenge for aircrew was to distinguish different types of vessels operating in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
The New Zealand contribution also included the Naval Operational Dive Team and a number of personnel working at the combined headquarters in Penang.
Ships of four nations berthed at Kemaman,Malaysia.