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HMA ships Brisbane, Toowoomba, and Stalwart will conduct a regional presence deployment throughout Southeast and Northeast Asia, including the enforcement of sanctions on North Korea.
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HMA ships Brisbane and Toowomba have already departed for the three-month deployment, with the Stalwart scheduled for departure over coming weeks.
While at sea, the ships will contribute to Operation Argos, the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea.
The deployment will include a range of engagements and port visits, with the ships undertaking exercises alongside regional partners including Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Five hundred Australian Defence Force personnel will take part in the deployment, including helicopter teams from the RAN’s Fleet Air Arm and command and support personnel.
“This three-ship regional presence deployment showcases Australia’s significant commitment to engaging with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” Director General Maritime Operations, Commodore Mick Harris, OAM, said
“We look forward to working with our regional partners at sea and ashore and building on existing relationships while demonstrating Australia’s resolve for a stable, peaceful, resilient, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.
“Our sailors and officers will relish opportunities to meet Navy people from other nations as well as step ashore and experience different cultures, further increasing our mutual understanding as Indo-Pacific partners.”
The deployment is scheduled to conclude in December.
The announcement is the latest iteration of ADF regional deployments.
In September, the Commonwealth confirmed deployment of six Australian F-35A Lightning II deployed to Indonesia for the first time as part of Exercise Elang AUSINDO 23.
The Manado-based exercise will see 150 RAAF personnel training alongside 160 of their Indonesian counterparts, planning and undertaking offensive and defensive counter air missions, basic fighter and air combat manoeuvres, as well as air-to-air refuelling with a RAAF KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport.
The Indonesian Air Force is expected to deploy their F-16 fighter aircraft as part of the mission.
The exercise commenced in 1993 alongside air cooperation exercises Albatross AUSINDO, which hones bilateral maritime surveillance capabilities, and Rajawali AUSINDO for tactical aircraft.
“Exercise Elang AUSINDO is a regular combined training activity to increase our capacity to work together,” Air Vice-Marshal Glen Braz, Air Commander Australia, said of the deployment.
“Through this exercise we can build mutual cooperation, trust and understanding, both at the aviator level and more broadly between the Australian Defence Force and Indonesian National Armed Forces.
“We are fully committed to a strong bilateral partnership with Indonesia; this important exercise allows our air forces to develop deeper relationships and enhance cooperation.”
