3 February 2025
HMAS Hobart joined eight nations off the coast of Indonesia from January 20 to 24 for the fifth iteration of Exercise La Perouse.
A French-led multilateral training activity, La Perouse involved 13 ships and more than 30 aircraft practising maritime cooperation missions.
Australia joined forces with France, Canada, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and United States.
La Perouse was conducted in the Malacca, Sunda and Lombok straits around Indonesia, and involved a range of missions, including boarding operations and air-based search-and-rescue procedures.
A French Navy Carrier Strike Group (CSG), centred on aircraft carrier FNS Charles de Gaulle, conducted the exercise as part of its Clemenceau 25 deployment to the Indo-Pacific.
Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said the exercise deepened Australia’s cooperation with France and strengthened shared engagement with partners in the Indo-Pacific.
“Multilateral exercises like La Perouse highlight our shared security interests, and allow the Australian Defence Force to strengthen cooperation and build interoperability with other nations through a live training environment,” Vice Admiral Jones said.
“Australia’s security and prosperity lies in the Indo-Pacific, and the experience gained through this exercise ensures we can collectively maintain peace, security and prosperity in the region.”
La Perouse is held biennially, with the Royal Australian Navy participating since 2019.
Commanding Officer Hobart Commander Alisha Withers said La Perouse was the largest iteration of the exercise in its history.
“The whole ship’s company is excited to put our training to the test during such a challenging but rewarding event,” Commander Withers said.
“It’s also a great honour to work with the Charles de Gaulle CSG, especially as it is the first time the French CSG has deployed so close to Australia.”
La Perouse, the first major multi-national exercise on Defence’s 2025 calendar, is also the first key event for Hobart during its three-month regional presence deployment.
Indo-Pacific regional presence deployments demonstrate Australia’s commitment and ability to maintain a near continuous presence in the region to support regional security and stability.
