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Enter the Five Power Defense Arrangements (FPDA) , a cornerstone of Malaysia's defense diplomacy since 1971. This pact-binding Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom-serves as a psychological and practical deterrent, emphasizing consultative mechanisms over binding commitments.

In 2025, the FPDA has been more active than ever. Exercise Bersama Shield in April involved seven ships and over 30 aircraft from the five nations simulating warfighting across the Malay Peninsula, honing integrated air and maritime defenses.

This was followed by the 23rd FPDA Defense Chiefs' Conference in May, where leaders reaffirmed the pact's role in maintaining regional stability and previewed Exercise Bersama Lima , scheduled for later this year, featuring next-generation warfighting scenarios.

For Malaysia, the FPDA isn't just exercises; it's a signal to potential aggressors that any incursion could invite a multilateral response. Analysts highlight its historical value in deterring assertiveness , particularly from neighboring states, through confidence-building and shared intelligence.

Complementing the FPDA are growing bilateral ties that strengthen Malaysia's defensive posture. Relations with South Korea, deepened by the FA-50 deal, include technology transfers and joint training that foster interoperability.

Ties with the US – through a potential deal for surplus Kuwaiti Hornets – could provide stopgap fighters and access to upgrades and spares for Malaysia's existing fleet.

FPDA partners Australia and the UK offer advanced radar and cyber support, while dialogues with Japan and India explore co-production opportunities .

These pacts and relations ensure that, even with delayed deliveries, Malaysia isn't isolated. The Ministry of Defense's 2025 priorities include enhancing such cooperation, including through joint patrols and intelligence sharing to monitor hotspots like the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.

Soft power deterrent

However, hardware and pacts alone won't bridge the gap; soft power is the glue. As ASEAN's 2025 chair under the theme“Inclusivity and Sustainability,” Malaysia wields diplomatic leverage to build“strategic trust” and prevent conflict.

Kuala Lumpur hosted the ASEAN Regional Forum's May meeting on confidence-building and preventive diplomacy, emphasizing tools to avoid conflict escalation.

This chairmanship positions Malaysia as a neutral hub in regional crises, such as the Thailand and Cambodia border crisis , a key driver for progress on a South China Sea Code of Conduct .

The pinnacle of Malaysia's diplomatic effort is the upcoming East Asia Summit (EAS) in Kuala Lumpur, October 26-28 , marking the forum's 20th anniversary. With leaders from 18 nations attending-including ASEAN's 10, plus Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, the US and Russia-Malaysia will be the epicenter of global dialogue.