The Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019 (IPE 19) Joint Task Force is continuing its international engagement activities with the arrival of three ships into the Malaysian ports of Port Klang and Langkawi on 21 April.
HMA Ships Canberra and Newcastle are visiting Port Klang, outside of Kuala Lumpur, while HMAS Success is visiting Langkawi before continuing to Port Klang.
The visit to Malaysia will see the ship’s companies and embarked forces participate in a series of cultural exchanges and training activities with the Malaysian Armed Forces, as well as commemorative activities for Anzac Day.
Commander of the IPE 19 Joint Task Force, Air Commodore Rick Owen, AM said the visit to Malaysia was a highly anticipated part of the IPE 19 program.
“Malaysia is the third country the Indo-Pacific Endeavour Joint Task Force is visiting this year, following successful visits to Sri Lanka and India in March and April,” Air Commodore Owen said.
“We are particularly looking forward to training opportunities with the Malaysian Armed Forces, including jungle warfare training, subject matter expertise exchanges and a reciprocal band activity.
"Also of note will be Anzac Day commemorations in Kuala Lumpur, as Anzac Day is a special occasion for all Australian and New Zealand Defence personnel. More than 1,000 Australian and New Zealand sailors, soldiers, aviators and officers are looking forward to commemorating the 104th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings while in Malaysia.”
Members of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour Joint Task Force will also participate in the unveiling of a plaque at the Australian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur which commemorates those ADF personnel who died in support of operations in Malaysia between 1948 and 1966.
Australia’s Defence relationship with Malaysia involves high-level defence consultations, the Malaysia Australia Joint Defence Program and the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
In addition, Australian defence industry was on prominent display at the 2019 Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) exhibition. Attending companies included Armour Australia, Austal, AVT Australia, GE Aviation Systems, Hawker Pacific, Holmwood Highgate, Moog Australia, Point Trading, Prism Defence, Rosebank Engineering Australia, Sentient Vision Systems, TAE Aerospace and Zone Products Australia.
The recently elected Malaysian Government is promising to draft a new Defence White Paper in July, but in the meantime, however, there appears to be very little money available for defence spending and no major contracts were announced.