NWI - Naval Warfare
Australia launches aerial surveillance programme
The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has begun an aerial surveillance service across the Central and Western Pacific region as part of the government’s $2 billion Pacific Maritime Security programme, the DoD announced on 28 January.
Once implemented, two long-range aircraft will provide up to 1,400 hours of aerial surveillance every year across the Western and Central Pacific region.
According to DoD, the surveillance, in conjunction with the Pacific Patrol Boat programme will provide targeted maritime patrol and enhance the ability of Pacific Island countries to defend against regional maritime security threats such as transnational crime and illegal fishing. Pacific countries will have access to surveillance information to support intelligence-targeted patrolling and protection of their resources.
The $10 million aerial surveillance service is funded by the Australian DoD, and aircraft tasking will be coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), along with communication with regional maritime law enforcement agencies.
The Australian DoD has engaged Technology Service Corporation to provide the aerial surveillance service.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Euronaval 2018: RN issues caution to politicos on HMS Queen Elizabeth
As HMS Queen Elizabeth goes full steam ahead with its sea trials a senior Royal Navy official urged caution to politicians keen to utilise the ...
-
Euronaval 2018: France marches on with naval ambitions
With France's military embarking on a series of modernisation programmes the naval service has its focus on providing for its future requirements under a variety ...
-
Russian Navy’s Burya ship ready for float out
The St Petersburg’s Pella Shipyard will float out the Russian Navy‘s third new generation small missile ship, Burya, on 23 October, the Russian Ministry of ...
-
Opinion: Royal Navy navigates icy waters
The annual UK party political conference season is over. An opportunity for politicians to make promises they know they’ll never have to keep and ministers ...
-
China, SE Asia to hold maritime drill to ease tensions
China and Southeast Asian states will hold their first joint maritime exercises next week, officials said Friday, in a move aimed at easing tensions but ...
-
BMT to support Thailand’s submarine programme
BMT has received a contract to support the Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) new Midget submarine programme, the company announced on 17 October. Under the contract, ...