HMAS Sydney leaves on three-month regional deployment

Sydney’s next three months of training and cooperation include Exercise Bersama Shield, alongside the Five Power Defence Arrangements nations Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Chief of Joint Operations Vice-Admiral Justin Jones said the deployments strengthened cooperation with partner nations across the Indo-Pacific region.

“Regional presence deployments demonstrate Australia’s ongoing commitment to supporting regional security and stability and promoting a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” Vice-Admiral Jones said.

“They highlight our contribution to the maintenance of the global rules-based order in line with our partners.”

HMAS Sydney is one of three Hobart-class air warfare destroyers in service, with a crew of more than 200 and a MH-60R helicopter.

Sydney’s Commanding Officer, Commander Ben Weller, said deployments such as this allowed the crew to exercise the ship’s capability across a range of areas and with different partners, preparing them for future cooperation.

“This deployment will coincide with the fifth anniversary of the ship’s commissioning into service with the Navy in May, and it’s fitting the crew will mark this milestone while embarked at sea,” Commander Weller said.

This regional presence deployment will conclude in early July 2025.

HMAS Hobart recently completed the first regional presence deployment for 2025, including training exercises and activities with Indonesia, France and the Philippines.