HMAS Choules completes Pacific deployment
The Australian Defence Force’s (ADF's) first enhanced regional engagement activity in the Pacific for 2019 concluded with the return of HMAS Choules to Townsville earlier this month.
HMAS Choules’ month-long deployment incorporated a series of bilateral activities in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
In PNG, Choules strengthened ADF relationships with the PNG Defence Force by delivering tools and equipment to the Lombrum Naval Base and providing on-board training opportunities to the PNG Defence Force Maritime Element, including training with the ship’s MRH-90 helicopter.
Personnel from the 6th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment and the 1st Joint Public Affairs Unit provided training in the Solomon Islands’ capital, Honiara. In Vanuatu, the ADF personnel conducted a programme of training and engagement to support the needs of the Vanuatu Police Force, including the Vanuatu Mobile Force and the Police Maritime Wing.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration]()
UK MoD’s confirmation of MBDA missile for Type 26 points to more European collaboration
The Type 26 will also be fitted with the Sea Ceptor vertically launched air defence system that can fire CAMM missiles and a 24-cell Mk 41 vertical launch system that can fire the Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, anti-submarine rockets and long-range anti-ship missiles.
-
![Second Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship is on schedule to be launched mid-2026]()
Second Royal Canadian Navy Joint Support Ship is on schedule to be launched mid-2026
While the first Joint Support Ship is currently in the final stages of outfitting, the second one is on schedule for launching next year.
-
![Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?]()
Is South Korea finally being taken seriously for Western submarine programmes?
South Korean shipbuilders are beginning to make their mark beyond Asia, competing for major North American and European submarine programmes and becoming serious contenders on a global scale.
-
![AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official]()
AUKUS Pillar 2 could narrow focus to “four key areas” says UK official
Few concrete ideas have emerged so far on which “advanced capabilities” will be brought forward under Pillar 2 of the AUKUS partnership, but the Pentagon’s review of the programme could bring more clarity.
