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The Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019 (IPE 19) Joint Task Force has begun its engagement program in Indonesia during the final port visits before its return to Australia later this month.
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HMA Ships Canberra and Newcastle arrived in Jakarta on 18 May, with HMAS Success visiting Makassar in South Sulawesi on the same day as part of the 2019 iteration of Indo-Pacific Endeavour.
Commander IPE 19 Joint Task Force, Air Commodore Rick Owen, said the visits are a valuable opportunity to enhance one of Australia’s most important regional defence partnerships.
"We have a shared maritime border and a common interest in promoting peace and stability in the region. Our defence relationship is long standing and focused on a wide variety of security-related matters including counter-terrorism, maritime security, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, peacekeeping, defence industry co-operation and intelligence," AIRCDRE Rick Owen explained.
In Jakarta, members of the Joint Task Force are conducting a series of civilian and military engagements, with the Australian Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mike Noonan, AO, joining IPE for high level talks with Indonesian National Armed Forces officials.
In Makassar, members of the Joint Task Force are conducting a similar program, hosting local authorities and conducting Ramadan activities.
IPE 19 is the ADF’s major regional engagement activity, delivering on the promise of the 2016 Defence White Paper to strengthen Australia’s engagement and partnerships with regional security forces.
The IPE 19 Joint Task Group is comprised of more than 1,000 personnel from Navy, Army and Air Force. Previous port visits included Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.
For the first time, the Joint Task Force is incorporating Australian defence industry through showcasing some of the country’s industry capabilities and services during official receptions on board HMAS Canberra.
Stephen Kuper
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
