Fleet Certification Period 2020 underway
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) first major exercise for 2020, Fleet Certification Period 2020 (FCP20), got underway from Sydney on 17 February.
The exercise’s sea phase will take place until 6 March, with RAN vessels HMAS Hobart, Stuart, Arunta and Sirius carrying out war games in the vicinity of Bass Strait with five other Australian ships, submarines, RAN MH-60R helicopters and Royal Australian Air Force P-8A aircraft.
The exercise will also include military aircraft from the US (P-8) and New Zealand (P-3K).
FCP20 will further develop the RAN’s ability to engage in complex and dynamic warfighting activities based around sea and air control capabilities. At the same time, Australian Clearance Diving Team One will also conduct water mine counter measure operations as part of a Mine Counter Measures Task Group deployed to North Eastern Tasmania.
The exercise will also include port visits to Melbourne and Portland in Victoria and Burnie, Devonport and Launceston in Tasmania.
FCP20 also marks the first time a Hobart-class destroyer, HMAS Hobart, has participated in a fleet certification period.
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