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A Canberra Class amphibious assault vessel and an Anzac Class frigate have engaged in maritime warfare training alongside Malaysian forces.
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HMA Ships Canberra and Anzac were joined by Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) guided missile frigates KD Lekiu and KD Jebat for bilateral military training as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2021 (IPE21).
The vessels were supported by two Royal Malaysian Air Force Hawks, which engaged in anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.
Interoperability exercises included boat drills, air defence exercises, a night encounter exercise, tactical manoeuvring and a live-fire gun exercise.
“This exercise gives us the opportunity to interact with our partners and build relationships in a tactical sense,” Commander Maritime Task Group Captain David Tietzel said.
“It was a really enjoyable three days and it was good to see the professionalism and the interoperability built between the ships over the exercise.”
As part of the combined effort, HMAS Canberra welcomed three Malaysian officers on board to observe and participate in joint maritime task group activities.
RMN Lieutenant Commander Hafiz Azami noted to the importance of maintaining the bilateral relationship.
“It is a good opportunity for both countries to show mutual understanding, sharing the same picture, the same standard operating procedures, in order to safeguard the region and build up the partnership,” he said.
“We can share and offer different capabilities, and with this understanding we can support each other.”
Commander IPE21 Commodore Mal Wise lauded the success of the exercise, despite disruptions caused by the COVID-19 crisis.
“Despite COVID-19 challenges faced in both countries, bilateral engagement has continued to allow for training, information-sharing and collaboration across different areas of government, particularly in defence co-operation,” CDRE Wise said.
[Related: ADF, Marines complete live-firing exercise]
