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The Australian Maritime Task Group has been commended on its efforts during Exercise OCEAN EXPLORER 2019, with anti-submarine warfare capabilities showcased by the joint task group.
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A maritime task group travelled from Sydney to Western Australia to join up with Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft in the West Australian Exercise Area, to "locate and prosecute potential submarine threats".
Commander of the Australian Maritime Task Group, Captain Andrew Quinn, highlighted the "impressive" capabilities used during the exercise.
“Submarines complicate the manoeuvre of a maritime surface task group,” CAPT Quinn said.
“The world-leading identification, location and tracking capabilities offered by the Poseidon and Romeo aircraft provide a potent response to the growing proliferation of potential submarine threats in Australia’s near region.
“The joint maritime effect delivered by Navy and Air Force in this domain positions Australia as a capable partner in maintaining a rules based global order."
Simulated hostile submarines were identified and located by a RAAF P-8A Poseidon aircraft partnered with Royal Australian Navy MH60-R 'Romeo' maritime combat helicopters from HMA Ships Canberra and Newcastle.
“With 24 Romeos between our training and operational squadrons, Navy is currently supporting eight embarked flights in various fleet units,” said Aviation Warfare Officer, Lieutenant Commander Damian Liberale.
“Currently the Romeo operates mainly from Anzac Class and Adelaide Class frigates, and in the near future Hobart Class destroyers, and it is exciting to see them embarked in the Canberra Class amphibious assault ships to augment other anti-submarine warfare assets.
“The sophisticated combat systems in the aircraft allow us to accurately locate a submarine using organic sensors and engage with anti-submarine warfare weapons during the prosecution of a hostile adversary.”
The OCEAN EXPLORER Task Group, HMA Ships Canberra, Newcastle and Success, is continuing its transit to WA, which will be followed by deployments to various ports in south Asia.
