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Royal Australian Navy Hobart Class destroyer HMAS Brisbane has conducted a routine transit through the South China Sea in accordance with international law.
HMAS Brisbane is currently on a four-month-long regional presence deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Australia has a long history of conducting maritime activities in the region, including in the South China Sea, which is a vital waterway for the entire international community,” Chief of Joint Operations Vice-Admiral Justin Jones said.
“Australia is committed to upholding a peaceful South China Sea that remains open for trade.
“Australian vessels and aircraft will continue to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight to exercise and uphold international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the law of the Sea.”
Australia has conducted four regional presence deployments for 2025, demonstrating the Australian Defence Force’s commitment and ability to maintain a near permanent presence in the region to support regional security and stability.
These deployments play a vital role in our long-term security and prosperity by protecting Australia’s interests, preserving an international rules-based order, enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies, and developing capability and interoperability.
“This transit through the South China Sea forms an important part of HMAS Brisbane’s regional presence deployment,” Commanding Officer HMAS Brisbane Commander David Mason said.
“Throughout this deployment, the ship’s crew have conducted unilateral activities as well as multilateral engagements with like-minded countries, and we have demonstrated our resolve to maintaining a new continuous presence in the region.
“Regional presence deployments ensure Australia can continue building interoperability and enhances our response to maritime challenges in the region.”
