HMAS Hobart trains with JMSDF
The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Hobart has completed the initial phase of its first operational deployment, engaging with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as part of Exercise Nichi Gou Trident.
Hobart is part of a task force of nine ships, two submarines and four helicopters representing Australia from Southeast Asia to East Asia for multinational exercises and regional engagement activities.
The vessel has now arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, after completion of the exercise alongside JMSDF assets, and will continue on to other countries in the region for bilateral exercises.
This deployment is an important milestone for Hobart following a 12-month period maintenance, upgrades, testing and training.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
How the Hormuz mine threat exposes potential Baltic MCM shortfalls
Ageing Baltic vessels and an absence of active minehunting vessel programmes in the region have been put under the spotlight in the recent conflict.
-
“We must end the mentality of ever larger platforms”: Why USVs are scaling
Multiple USV programme milestones announced last week, aligned with a reinforcement of the Royal Navy’s vision for a hybrid fleet, point to innovation-led ambition but also to a structural calculation with resource ceilings that neither London nor Washington can ignore.
-
As uncrewed naval systems advance, capabilities to counter them are emerging
Research programmes and system procurement efforts to counter uncrewed surface and underwater vehicle threats are accelerating as naval drone uptake spreads.
-
US Coast Guard to receive the first three Offshore Patrol Cutters in FY2026 and FY2027
After recording a nearly six-year delay in the OPC schedule, the USCG intends to advance with the programme, reaching multiple milestones in the short term.