Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters have been conducting training sorties with the Royal Malaysian Air Force as part of the preparations for Exercise Bersama Lima, the annual Five Powers Defence Arrangements exercise.
Deployed to the Malaysian Air Force base at Butterworth in Penang, Malaysia, the Typhoon pilots from the RAF Lossiemouth based II (Army Cooperation) Squadron are conducting high energy training with the Royal Malaysian Air Force Su30 Flankers and F18 Hornets.
A II(AC) Squadron pilot said:
"This is a rare opportunity to fly against uniquely capable aircraft under high-G whilst deployed in Asia. This has enabled us to demonstrate Typhoon’s awesome capability against agile fighters whilst learning and sharing tactics that will enable enhanced future cooperation.”
“As fighter pilots, this type of flying gives us the chance to test our skills against the pilot as well as the aircraft following years of tough training. It requires intense concentration for the short duration flight but is a very rewarding experience.”
The bilateral training has allowed the squadron to work in new conditions and with aircraft unfamiliar to RAF fast jet pilots. The squadron will now begin flying sorties as part of Exercise BERSAMA LIMA 19. During the exercise the jets will join with aircraft from Singapore, New Zealand and Malaysia to work together in complex air situations and also to conduct Air Land and Air Maritime integration exercises.
The Five Powers Defence Arrangements is the corner stone of British defence policy in the region and brings the militaries of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom together in a defensive arrangement in the region.