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HMAS Ballarat and USS Dewey have engaged in bilateral operations in the South China Sea as part of routine training exercises.
Australian and US naval forces have conducted routine operations and bilateral training in the South China Sea to “enhance interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges,” said Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC RAN.
Last week, Anzac Class frigate HMAS Ballarat and US Arleigh Burke Class destroyer USS Dewey engaged in transits across the South China Sea over a two-day period. In accordance with international law, the training was supported by Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft.
“Australia has a long history of operating in the South China Sea both unilaterally as well as in conjunction with allies and partners,” VADM Jones said .
Throughout the training, the frigates engaged in a myriad of standard naval exercises, including simulated fire exercises, formation sailing and communications training.
“It was a fantastic opportunity to work alongside Ballarat and our Australian allies,” US Commander Ivan Dobrev, commanding officer of USS Dewey, said in a statement.
Commanding Officer of HMAS Ballarat, Commander Dean Uren, explained how the recent activity in the region was a “component of a planned routine”.
“This activity is an important demonstration of the resolve that Australia has to supporting an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific, where international law is respected.”
In early September, HMAS Ballarat began undergoing a regional presence deployment, which will see the frigate sailing across the Indo-Pacific for exercise training to demonstrate Australia’s “commitment to a secure, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region”. Throughout the three-month period, cooperation, training and collaboration with international allies will remain a central feature of the deployment.
“During this deployment, we will see HMAS Ballarat conduct multilateral maritime training with India, Japan and the United States through Exercise Malabar,” VADM Jones said.
“HMAS Ballarat will also participate in Exercise Bersama Lima 25, alongside our Five Powers Defence Arrangements partners from Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.”
Australia has had national security interests in the South China Sea for years as the geopolitical tension in the region remains unstable. Australia’s Department of Defence said naval deployments in the region are crucial in ensuring the national position remains secure, stable and cooperative with allies to increase capabilities.
