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The vessels have taken part in maritime warfare training alongside counterparts from four partner nations.
Royal Australian Navy vessels HMA Ships Brisbane and Warramunga have concluded nine days of interoperability training alongside the US Navy, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Royal Canadian Navy and the German Navy in the Philippine Sea.
The exercises, which formed part of ANNUALEX 2021, involved maritime communications training, flying operations, replenishments at sea, and anti-submarine and anti-air warfare.
Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Mark Hammond, reflected on the importance of positive navy-to-navy co-operation.
“Navy’s thorough program of engagement with our partner nations was key to Brisbane and Warramunga’s success during ANNUALEX 2021,” RADM Hammond said.
“We worked closely with each of the participating nations, integrating our ships into the exercise which highlighted the importance of our enduring commitment to co-operating with our regional partners.”
Commanding Officer of HMAS Brisbane, Commander Aaron Cox, said ANNUALEX 2021 had helped strengthen ties between the partner nations.
“By working together to refine our common maritime skills and tactics we also reaffirm our shared values and commitment to a stable Indo-Pacific,” CMDR Cox said.
“I thank Japan for hosting a great training event and we look forward to sailing with the United States, Canada, and Germany again.”
RAN destroyer HMAS Brisbane and frigate HMAS Warramunga are two of seven RAN major fleet units to have conducted deployments this year.
The vessels are expected to return to their homeports later this month.
[Related: RAN, US Navy conclude mine warfare training]
