Family and friends watch HMAS Parramatta depart Fleet Base East, Sydney, bound for a four-month deployment to South East Asia. Photo by Able Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill.

HMAS Parramatta departs on SE Asia tour

03/02/202003/02/2020 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1759 Views 0 Comments

Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta today departed Fleet Base East in Sydney for a four-month deployment to South East Asia.

CAPTION: Family and friends watch HMAS Parramatta depart Fleet Base East, Sydney, bound for a four-month deployment to South East Asia. Photo by Able Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill.

Parramatta will participate in several major military exercises to enhance interoperability and build practical cooperation with navy partners including in India, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said the deployment would help strengthen the stability and security of our region.

“This highly capable warship and her crew of 190 officers and sailors will reinforce the positive relationships Australia has with our regional partners,” Minister Reynolds said.

Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead farewelled Parramatta and said she was well-prepared for the deployment.

“Parramatta is a long-range frigate capable of countering simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines, and the ship’s company is ready for the deployment’s busy schedule,” Rear Admiral Mead said.

Parramatta will engage in various activities including Exercise Milan in India, Exercise Bersama Shield off Singapore and the Malay Peninsula, and International Fleet Reviews in the Philippines and Vietnam.