Exercise Kakadu begins in Darwin

Exercise Kakadu 2022 (KA22) is set to be one of the biggest yet. There will be more than 15 vessels, more than 30 aircraft and around 3,000 personnel from more than 20 countries participating in the exercise that begins Monday, 12 September 2022.

KA22 is a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) led exercise supported by the Royal Australian Air Force. The exercise is the RAN’s flagship biennial regional International engagement activity and has grown in size and complexity since its inception in 1993.

Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, welcomed personnel from participating countries to Australia and the valuable partnerships that would be forged during the exercise.

“Exercise Kakadu is Navy’s most significant international engagement activity and is vital for building relationships between participating countries,” VADM Hammond said.

“The theme for this year’s exercise is ‘Partnership, Leadership, Friendship’ and we aim to demonstrate that in spades over 15 days of intense activity at sea and ashore.”

KA22, is the exercise’s fifteenth iteration, following its cancellation in 2020 due to COVID-19.

Commander of the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley, welcomes the return of Exercise Kakadu.

“Exercise Kakadu provides an excellent opportunity for regional partners to undertake multinational maritime activities ranging from constabulary operations to high-end maritime warfare in a combined environment,” RADM Earley said.

“As our exercise is being conducted in the Northern Australian Exercise area, I would like to extend a thank you to the Northern Territory community for their continued support and interest, and a warm welcome to our international participants to a beautiful part of our country.”

The at-sea exercise program will be complemented by a vibrant harbour phase comprising briefings, a Fleet Commanders and Senior Leaders’ conference, cultural events, sports and social functions.

KA22 is being conducted in the Northern Australian Exercise area from 12 to 24 September 2022.

Media note

Media will be able to access imagery of Exercise Kakadu when available at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20222680.