Marhalim Abas, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, covers Southeast Asian defense. He has worked as a journalist specializing in Southeast Asia defense and security since 1994, initially with the New Straits Times newspaper.
Warm-up drills for Exercise Bersama Lima 16, held in Malaysia Oct. 4-21, provided the first opportunity for Royal Air Force (RAF) Typhoons to be pitched against the Su-30MKMs of the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
A Royal Air Force deployment of Eurofighter Typhoons is taking personnel from three British squadrons to exercises stretching from Southeast Asia to Japan and South Korea in the next three months.