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Two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft has successfully completed air surveillance of illegal activity in North Korea as part of an international effort to eliminate nuclear weapons in the country.
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As part of Operation Argos, Defence deployed two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to enforce United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on the rogue nuclear state.
Chief of Joint Operations Lieutenant General Greg Bilton explained the importance of Australia’s continued support for UN sanctions, saying, “Operation Argos reinforces Australia’s commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and directly contributes to maintaining the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region alongside our partner nations.”
Operating from Kadena Air Base in Japan, the P-8A Poseidon aircraft conducted airborne surveillance to monitor and deter illegal ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods in the region.
“Australia remains committed to enforcing UN Security Council sanctions and our own sanctions against North Korea. This operation is Australia’s contribution to a multinational effort, alongside Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States, all of which conduct operations in support of UN Security Council resolutions,” LTGEN Bolton adds.
These comments were reinforced by Commanding Officer No. 11 Squadron Wing Commander Adam Saber, who added, “Since the first Operation Argos deployment back in 2018, and on every subsequent 11 Squadron rotation, our teams have delivered a major contribution to regional security and stability.
Operation Argos is the Australian Defence Force’s commitment to the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea.
United Nations Security Council sanctions limit North Korea’s imports of refined petroleum and crude oil, and its exports of coal, all of which are facilitated by such transfers.
WNGCDR Saber added, “Though Operation Argos is conducted a considerable distance from Australia, the importance of maintaining regional stability cannot be understated, particularly noting the interconnected nature of global affairs. The range and speed of the P-8A makes it an ideal platform to conduct these long-range operations.”
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) contributes via Operation Argos by monitoring and deterring illegal ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods.
“I am exceptionally proud of the 11 Squadron aviators who routinely deploy as part of this operation, and it is their dedication and professionalism that underpins the successes of each deployment,” WNGCDR Saber said.
ADF assets that are periodically dedicated to Operation Argos for tasking include Royal Australian Naval ships and Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft.
