ADF regional presence continues

HMAS Stuart has departed Darwin for Australia’s fifth Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment of 2024. The West Australian-based frigate has a crew of approximately 200 personnel and an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter — call sign ‘Scarecrow’. During the deployment, HMAS Stuart will support Australia’s ongoing contribution to the security and stability of our region by working and exercising with partners. This includes: Participation in Exercise Malabar in India Participation in Exercise Singaroo in Singapore Joining amphibious ship HMAS Adelaide for Exercise Keris Woomera in Indonesia, as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2024. The deployment will also include goodwill port visits and community engagements in countries throughout the region, as well as cooperative activities at sea with regional partners’ naval forces. The international engagement has already begun, with HMAS Stuart joining the US Navy Arleigh Burke class guided missile destroyer USS Dewey and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer JS Ariake for a cooperative activities in the Timor Sea. Both ships sailed from Darwin after participating in Exercise Kakadu. Australia’s Joint Force Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Jonathan Ley, said HMAS Stuart will make an important contribution to regional security while deployed. “Strong international relationships are the foundation for Australia’s response to shared security challenges,” Commodore Ley said. “HMAS Stuart will be conducting important engagements with our partners including India, Japan and the United States, as well as Singapore and Indonesia. Regional presence deployments play a vital role in Australia’s long-term security and prosperity by protecting Australia’s interests, preserving the rules-based order, enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners, and developing the Australian Defence Force’s capability and interoperability.” For Editorial Inquiries Contact : Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]