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The Anzac Class frigate has returned to Australian shores after participating in a number of military exercises alongside partner nations.
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Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat has returned to Garden Island, Western Australia, following a four-month deployment, with the frigate participating in a number of regional operations.
This included the search for the Indonesian submarine KRI Nanggala 402, Operation ARGOS — Australia’s contribution to the enforcement of UN sanctions on North Korea — and participation in a range of bilateral and multilateral exercises, namely Exercise Talisman Sabre 21 and Large Scale Global Exercise 21.
Assistant Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie thanked the 188-member crew for their service.
“HMAS Ballarat’s crew has contributed to Australia’s wide ranging and robust presence in the Indo Pacific, as we promote security and stability in the region,” he said.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia remains strongly connected to our partners and neighbours.
“Ballarat’s deployment highlights our continuing commitment to a secure, open and prosperous region.”
Commanding Officer, HMAS Ballarat, Commander Antony Pisani, said the ship’s four-month deployment helped strengthen interoperability with partner nations.
“We are proud to build on important Navy relationships across the region,” CMDR Pisani said.
“We refined our interoperability with the United States Navy by conducting cross-deck helicopter operations, joint live-fire gunnery exercises and replenishment at sea.”
Personnel completed a 14-day quarantine period at sea ahead of their arrival and have completed all required pre-arrival COVID-19 measures.
The ship and its crew are expected to deploy again later this year.
[Related: HMA Ships Ballarat, Canberra join US-led exercise]
