27 November 2024
HMA Ships Adelaide and Stuart completed a four-day port visit to Jakarta, Indonesia, with about 1400 ADF personnel across both ships, just two days after completing Exercise Keris Woomera.
The exercise was the largest joint amphibious operation ever conducted between Australia and Indonesia, and marked a significant milestone in Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE).
During the port visit, ADF personnel conducted workshops alongside their Indonesian National Armed Forces counterparts, exchanging knowledge on topics including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, military medicine and helicopter operations.
Commander IPE Commodore Michael Harris said IPE enhanced cooperation between Australian and Indonesian forces.
“It gives us the chance to improve our coordination, and to work together to reinforce our shared commitment to the region and the rules-based order,” he said.
“Maintaining a near continuous presence in the Indo-Pacific, including through routine deployments and port visits such as this, demonstrates Australia’s resolve to work with and support international partners like Indonesia to achieve a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
“As outlined in Australia’s National Defence Strategy, our partnerships are crucial for this.
“IPE is an important opportunity to further strengthen the relationships we value so highly between our respective defence forces.”
Exercise Keris Woomera involved about 2000 personnel from Australia and Indonesia.
The week-long exercise included a joint amphibious beach assault, a non-combatant evacuee operation, and a live-fire exercise, including small arms, artillery, jet aircraft and helicopters.
During IPE, Defence and other government agencies have conducted a range of activities with 14 host nations across south-east Asia and the north-east Indian Ocean.
