Fourth three-ship Indo-Pacific deployment for 2022 departs

Three Royal Australian Navy ships have commenced a regional presence deployment through the Indo-Pacific region, marking the fourth such deployment this year.

FILE PHOTO: HMAS Hobart. Photo courtesy the AWD Alliance.

During this deployment HMA Ships Hobart, Stalwart, and Arunta will participate in maritime exercises with regional partners and conduct port visits.

Commander Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley said the routine deployments demonstrated Australia’s commitment and engagement with partners in the region.

“Australia has maintained a robust program of international engagement with countries in and around the Indo-Pacific for decades,” Rear Admiral Earley said.

“This deployment follows a high-activity period for the RAN fleet with HMA Ships recently taking part in Exercise Kakadu 22 and, before that, Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2022.

“This routine deployment is aimed at strengthening practical cooperation with regional partners and enhancing interoperability, and it demonstrates Australia’s resolve for an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific.”

During the deployment, HMA Ships Hobart, Stalwart, and Arunta will also conduct activities as part of our flagship regional engagement activity, Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022, in the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Vietnam.

These engagements deepen Australia’s partnerships across the region and enhance our ability to operate with partner nations during security or humanitarian crises.

Australian vessels and aircraft will continue to uphold international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and exercise freedom of navigation and overflight. Defence supports others doing the same.

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