The air forces of Singapore and Malaysia will deploy jetfighters to each others' air bases in their first cross basing exercise since 1998, said a Malaysian military officer.

This is part of a two-week joint exercise among member states of the Five Power Defense Arrangement (FPDA), comprising the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Malaysia, Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, Malaysia's Chief of Defense Force told at a press briefing in conjunction with the opening ceremony of Exercise Bersama Lima 2013 at the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

The exercise started on November 6 involving 2,000 members of the defence forces, 68 aircrafts, 10 ships, and a number of ground-based air defence units.

The drill will enable the Royal Malaysian Air Force and the Singapore Air Force to cooperate and assist each other to cater to the needs and requirements in terms of security of both countries, said Zulkifeli.

It is also aimed at enhancing ties and understanding among member of the two air forces, he added.-VNA