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The ADF has continued to support the enforcement of sanctions against North Korea, sending a P-8A Poseidon to monitor activities in the region.
A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon has deployed to Kadena Airbase in Japan as part of Operation Argos — Australia’s contribution to international efforts to monitor and deter illegal shipments of sanctioned goods to North Korea, as part of United Nations’ Security Council Resolution 2397.
Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton, noted the importance of Australia’s participation, adding that the maritime patrol aircraft would support the community’s goal of “complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation of North Korea”.
“The aircraft will conduct airborne surveillance to monitor and deter illegal ship-to-ship transfers,” LTGEN Bilton said.
“This is an international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea, with contributions from a number of countries including Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“Australia is committed to a stable and secure Indo-Pacific and will continue to support sanctions on North Korea until it takes concrete steps towards denuclearisation.”
The deployment marks the third time Australia has contributed to the operation this year, with Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Ballarat deploying in May.
Overall, this is the ninth time the ADF has deployed a maritime patrol aircraft for Operation Argos, with RAN vessels supporting the operation on five occasions since it commenced in 2018.
[Related: HMAS Ballarat joins Operation Argos]
