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Anzac Class frigate HMAS Ballarat has returned to Western Australia following a successful three-month regional presence deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.
Sailing close to 20,000 nautical miles throughout the vessel’s deployment, HMAS Ballarat was used in a range of engagement exercises and activities with partner and allied navies within the region.
Australia has continued to maintain a consistent presence in the Indo-Pacific region in a commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region, a point echoed by Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones.
“Australia has maintained a robust program of international engagement with countries in and around the Indo-Pacific for decades,” VADM Jones said.
“Regional presence deployments directly contribute to the security and stability of the region by building trust, mutual understanding and interoperability between partner nations and their armed forces.
“Regional presence deployments leverage the expertise of the ADF and our multinational partners to enhance regional capacity in a dynamic security environment.”
Throughout the regional deployment, HMAS Ballarat conducted several patrols and transits through the South China Sea to stabilise security and ensure tensions are minimal in the region.
In October, HMAS Ballarat’s commanding officer, Commander Dean Uren, said the “Indo-Pacific is one of the world’s most important maritime areas”.
Crews trained alongside navies from a range of allied nations, including India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. Collaborative efforts with these nations aimed to increase interoperability and cooperation in the region through exercises such as AUSINDEX 25 and Exercise Malabar.
“I am immensely proud of the crew and the way they represented our nation as Australia’s ‘saltwater diplomats’,” Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said.
“Deployments of this nature require significant commitment from our people and their loved ones.
“We could not do what we do without the love and support of our families ashore, so I am pleased we could return them home safe and in time for Christmas.”
This was Australia’s fourth regional presence deployment for 2025, with the next one scheduled in January 2026.
