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Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds has announced a strategic reorientation of the ADF as part of the government’s commitments to focus on the Indo-Pacific region as part of the 2020 Defence Strategic Update.
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The changes include ceasing the annual deployment of a Royal Australian Navy ship to the Middle East, and not extending Australia’s time-bound commitment to the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) beyond December 2020.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the Royal Australian Navy is more active in the Indo-Pacific region than it has been in decades, "This year alone has seen Navy respond to the bushfire and COVID-19 crises, a five-ship deployment throughout south-east Asia and the Pacific, a continued commitment to initiatives under the Pacific Step Up, and several highly successful activities with our regional partners.
"We now face an increasingly challenging strategic environment, which is placing greater demand on ADF resources closer to home. As a result, the Australian Defence Force will reduce its naval presence in the Middle East to enable more resources to be deployed in our region."
The Australian Defence Force will maintain staff positions with the Combined Maritime Forces, the US Naval Forces Central Command, and within Joint Task Force 633.
Minister Reynolds said Australia is proud of its longstanding commitment to maritime security in the Middle East.
"For over 30 years we have supported freedom of navigation, maritime security and the free flow of commerce in the Middle East. In cooperation with our partners, our commitments have been invaluable in disrupting global drugs trade, supporting the reduction of funding lines to terrorism activity and building the capacity of regional forces," Minister Reynolds said.
Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, AO, CSC, said these are historic changes for the Australian Defence Force: "The outstanding contribution of Royal Australian Navy ships has been highly valued by our partners in the Middle East. We should all be proud of what the Royal Australian Navy has achieved over such a long period of sustained operations."
HMAS Toowoomba was the last Australian ship to deploy to the Middle East under Operation MANITOU. Toowoomba returned to Australia in June 2020.
Since 1990, the RAN has conducted maritime security operations in the Middle East region (MER), which remains strategically important to Australia's economic and trade interests.
Operation MANITOU is the current name for the Australian government's contribution to support international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the MER. An enhanced security environment ensures Australia's safe and open access to the region while fostering trade and commerce.
Operation MANITOU is under command of Joint Task Force 633 (JTF633), which is the Australian national HQ in the MER. The RAN routinely sends a Major Fleet Unit to the MER for assignment to Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).
CMF is composed of 32 nations and has three principle task forces:
- Combined Task Force 150, which conducts counter-terrorism and maritime security operations;
- Combined Task Force 151, which conducts counter piracy operations; and
- Combined Task Force 152, which conducts Arabian Gulf maritime security operations.
The Australian Defence Organisation also provides a small staff that is permanently embedded within the CMF Headquarters. This team, which presently comprises eight RAN personnel and one DSTG scientist, also undertakes the role of the Maritime Operations Support Group. The RAN also provides an International Liaison Officer for the UK Maritime Trade Operations Office.
