The Australian Defence Force has completed the first Regional Presence Deployment for 2025, demonstrating the Australian government’s ongoing commitment to ensuring a stable and secure Indo-Pacific. Departing Australia on 17 January, the Guided Missile Destroyer, HMAS Hobart, conducted a range of maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific region during its six-week deployment. HMAS Hobart participated in multilateral training including the Indonesian-led Exercise Komodo 25, the French-led Exercise La Perouse 25, and a Maritime Cooperative Activity with Japan, the Philippines the United States.
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO, CSC RAN, said the deployment reinforced Defence’s ability to work with regional navies to enhance collective security. “Regional Presence Deployments work to strengthen Australia’s commitment to a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific,” Vice Admiral Jones said. “They not only demonstrate Defence’s ability to operate seamlessly alongside our partners, but show the importance of maritime collaboration in safeguarding regional stability.”
Commanding Officer of HMAS Hobart Commander Alisha Withers, said the Regional Presence Deployment was conducted across more than 8,000 nautical miles. “Our participation in multilateral navy exercises was extremely beneficial for testing our operational readiness in complex military environments,” Commander Withers said. “The more we practise with our regional partners and allies, the better equipped Hobart will be to deal with future regional challenges.”
HMAS Sydney will support the second Regional Presence Deployment for 2025, which will include Exercise Bersama Shield alongside our Five Power Defence Arrangements partner nations Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
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