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Australia has reinforced its naval presence in the Indo-Pacific, with Royal Australian Navy vessels joining multilateral activities in the South China Sea while HMAS Ballarat begins its fourth regional presence deployment for the year.
From 2 to 3 September, guided-missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane took part in a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone alongside the Philippine Navy’s frigate BRP Jose Rizal and the Royal Canadian Navy’s HMCS Ville de Québec. Maritime patrol aircraft, including Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidons and US Navy aircraft, also supported the operation.
The MCA, conducted with the Philippines, Canada and the United States, was aimed at demonstrating the partners’ collective commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight, respect for maritime rights, and adherence to international law as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Australia also reiterated its position that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award is final and legally binding on the parties.
Meanwhile, Anzac Class frigate HMAS Ballarat has sailed from HMAS Stirling in Western Australia to begin a three-month regional presence deployment, underscoring the Australian Defence Force’s policy of maintaining a near-continuous naval presence in the region.
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO, CSC, said Ballarat’s deployment would build on decades of regional engagement.
“Regional presence deployments reinforce Australia’s position as a trusted and reliable security partner within the Indo-Pacific region,” VADM Jones said.
“During this deployment, we will see HMAS Ballarat conduct multilateral maritime training with India, Japan and the United States through Exercise Malabar.
“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.”
Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO, RAN, said the work of the Ballarat’s crew reflected Australia’s reliance on secure sea lanes for national prosperity.
“We are a trading nation, surrounded by three oceans and dependent on our access to the sea for our economic wellbeing. Personnel from HMA Ships Ballarat and Brisbane should be proud of the impact they’re having in helping to preserve our national security interests,” VADM Hammond said.
“From border protection, Middle East deployments, and around-the-world voyages, HMAS Ballarat has a proven track record in any maritime environment.”
Commissioned in 2004, HMAS Ballarat carries a crew of 177 and an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, with capabilities spanning air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction.
The concurrent deployments of HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Brisbane highlight Australia’s ongoing commitment to regional security and the international rules-based order at a time of growing tensions in the South China Sea.
