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The Anzac Class frigate is set to support international efforts to prevent sanctioned goods from entering North Korea.
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Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Arunta has been deployed for Operation Argos — Australia’s contribution to international efforts to monitor and deter illegal shipments of sanctioned goods to North Korea, as part of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2397.
Deputy Chief of Joint Operations, Air Vice-Marshal Michael Kitcher, noted the importance of the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) contribution, with Australia committing to supporting enforcement of the UN resolution until North Korea complies with the international rules-based order.
“Alongside Canada, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, who all conduct national operations in support of the UN in a similar manner to Australia, we are demonstrating our commitment to enforcing UNSC sanctions against North Korea,” AVM Kitcher said.
“Australia is committed to upholding UNSC resolutions on North Korea in support of the international community’s goal of complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation.
“This will mark the eighth time an Australian warship takes part in Operation Argos.”
Australia has been supporting these efforts since 2018, providing maritime and aerial assistance.
This has included the deployment of P-8A Poseidon aircraft for intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) missions.
HMAS Arunta is among a broader contingent of RAN platforms deployed across the Indo-Pacific.
Earlier this month, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) HMA Ships Adelaide and Anzac departed Darwin to take part in Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022 (IPE22), described by Defence as Australia’s “flagship regional engagement activity”.
The Canberra Class landing helicopter dock ship (LHD) and Anzac Class frigate deployed with 11 helicopters and approximately 1,800 personnel.
The platforms are set to be joined by several other RAN platforms including HMAS Arunta, Hobart Class air warfare destroyer HMAS Hobart, and Supply Class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) vessel HMAS Stalwart.
The contingent is expected to visit 14 countries in the region, which include India, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
IPE22 commenced in late September with engagements in Maldives and Timor-Leste.
The RAN contingent is expected to return to the Top End in December.
[Related: RAN frigate, LHD depart Top End for Indo-Pacific deployment]
