MALAYSIAN AND AUSSIE NAVIES IN JOINT EXERCISE

MELBOURNE, May 5 (Bernama) -- The Australian and Malaysian navies are
taking part in a week-long exercise called "Mastex", a bilateral maritime
warfare exercise being conducted in the Straits of Melaka since Tuesday.

Anzac class frigates HMAS Parramatta and Ballarat are involved in the
exercise, alongside Royal Malaysian Navy's corvettes KD Lekiu and KD Kelantan,
the Australian Defence Force said in a statement.

It said Mastex would provide the opportunity for both navies to improve
their operations and mutual understanding in common aspects of naval warfare.
The exercise will also involve the use of multinational air assets.

Commanding Officer of HMAS Parramatta, Commander Heath Robertson, said the
opportunity to work alongside a close regional partner would be of great
benefit to both navies.

"Exercising with the Royal Malaysian Navy and operating in a joint
environment will enable techniques to be practised and improved in the area of
maritime security, including anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare
scenarios," he said.

The statement said this year marked the eighth iteration of the Mastex
series which underscored the long-standing and mature relationship that
Australia had with Malaysia, and recognised that the two nations shared a common
interest in the stability and security of the Southeast Asian region.

The Royal Australian Navy maintains a regular bilateral exercise programme
with Malaysia, with both nations also engaging in multilateral exercises under
the Five Power Defence Arrangements framework.