Royal Australian Navy sets sail for regional presence deployment

The Australian Defence Force is continuing to contribute to regional security, with three Royal Australian Navy ships to conduct a regional presence deployment throughout Southeast and Northeast Asia.

HMA Ships Brisbane and Toowoomba have departed their homeports on opposite sides of the country bound for the three-month deployment, with HMAS Stalwart set to sail in coming weeks.

The deployment will involve around 500 personnel including the ships’ companies, embarked helicopter teams from Navy’s Fleet Air Arm and additional command and support personnel.

During the deployment, the Australian Defence Force will contribute to Operation Argos, part of Australia’s commitment to the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea.

Ships and their crews will participate in a number of exercises and activities with regional partners including Canada, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

The deployment will also include cooperative activities at sea and navy-to-navy engagements during exercises and port visits.

Director General Maritime Operations, Commodore Mick Harris, OAM, said the latest deployment followed on from other successful ADF deployments in the region including Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 and Exercise Alon in the Philippines.

“This three-ship regional presence deployment showcases Australia’s significant commitment to engaging with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region,” Commodore Harris 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 regional presence deployment will conclude in December.

Media note

Media can access imagery of this deployment at: http://images.defence.gov.au/S20232627