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The Royal Australian Navy recently completed a joint sea mine training exercise, Artemis Trident, in the Arabian Gulf alongside the UK, US and France.
The RAN recently completed a joint exercise alongside personnel from the UK, US and France as part of exercise Artemis Trident, to build expertise in keeping sea lanes open in the Arabian Gulf in the event of a sea mining event.
The four nations assessed their mine hunting abilities, with seven mine warfare ships, several patrol boats, helicopters, dive teams and a command ship all taking part in Artemis Trident. Exercise Artemis Trident occurs every two years, with the recent exercise marking the completion of the fifth Artemis Trident.
Lieutenant Commander Peter Needle of the Royal Navy welcomed the opportunity to expand the RN’s mine warfare procedures.
“The exercise provided an excellent opportunity to practise and develop expeditionary mine warfare tactics, techniques and procedures, sharing ideas and experiences between the three nations,” Lt Cdr Needle said.
“It will provide valuable lessons learned as the Royal Navy moves towards increasing use of offboard, autonomous systems alongside existing capabilities such as clearance divers.”
The RN’s Commander James Lovell, heading the Gulf mine forces for the United Kingdom described that the exercise was the opportunity for allied countries to prepare for a potential warlike scenario.
“Exercising with our Gulf partners and coalition partners in the region is all about maintaining our military fitness so that we are ready to work together when the time comes,” Cdr Lovell said.
“Artemis Trident is even more poignant this year as the UK is celebrating its 15th year of a continuous mine warfare presence in the Gulf.”
[Related: Royal Australian Navy, Royal Malaysian Navy undertake joint training]
Liam Garman
Editor – Defence and Security, Momentum Media
