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
-
Kraken’s Royal Navy USV contract signals next step in crewed-uncrewed integration
The UK Royal Navy’s rapid procurement of uncrewed platforms aligns with the force’s strategic shift towards a fleet better equipped to handle modern threats.
-
HMS Anson’s milestone stay in Australia cut short during AUKUS deployment
The Astute-class submarine’s visit to Australia was the first time maintenance activity on a UK Royal Navy nuclear submarine had been carried out in the country.
-
UK Royal Navy explores modular counter-drone capabilities for future hybrid fleet
The UK MoD is scoping out systems to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems, with a focus on low-cost modularity and speed to field.
-
US Pentagon claims to have severely damaged Iranian capabilities, promises to increase attacks
US military authorities claim to have sunk 20 Iranian vessels and destroyed Tehran’s Air Force, with the Pentagon making plans to send additional assets to the region.