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Australia and the Republic of Korea (ROK) will participate in Exercise Haedoli Wallaby, a bilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise, from 1–3 November 2017.
Defence said the biennial exercise "demonstrates a shared commitment by Australia and the ROK to regional security and security of the Korean Peninsula".
Royal Australian Navy frigates HMA Ships Parramatta and Melbourne and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8 maritime patrol aircraft will participate in the exercise with six ROK ships, a submarine and a maritime surveillance aircraft from the ROK Navy.
Commander of the Joint Task Group Captain Jonathan Earley said the frigates are visiting the ROK as part of Exercise Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017 (IPE17).
"As two regional middle powers that share common democratic values as well as security interests, Haedoli Wallaby is an important activity for Australia and the ROK," CAPT Earley said.
"During the exercise, we will strengthen our core sea-based maritime skills, while working together on briefings, table top exercises and international engagement activities on shore.
"Australia’s defence relationship with the ROK is an important component of the broader bilateral relationship, and we welcome the opportunity to further co-operation with our ROK counterparts."
IPE17 includes six ships and over 1,300 personnel, making it the largest co-ordinated task group deployed to the region in more than 40 years. The deployment is focused on security co-operation and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training.
Defence said the 11-week deployment will strengthen military co-operation with some of Australia’s key regional partners, such as Brunei, Cambodia, the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the ROK, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.
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