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Canberra-class landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra has led the largest gathering of foreign warships in Sydney Harbour in more than a decade.
Warships from more than 19 nations conducted a ceremonial entry into Sydney Harbour this morning, hosted by Royal Australian Navy, for the 2026 Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review.
The review marks 125 years of the Australian Navy’s service to the nation.
The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency the Hon Sam Mostyn AC, will be joined by the Deputy Prime Minister, Richard Marles, Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston AC RAN, and the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN, to conduct a ceremonial review of the Australian and international ships.
“Exercise Kakadu 2026 is extremely important. It's an opportunity for us to exercise with our closest friends and partners in the region,” according to Royal Australian Navy Commadore Surface Force Anthony Pisani, speaking to Defence Connect and embarked media on board.
“It allows us to learn from each other and it allows us to build our ability to operate together. And most importantly, it allows us to develop those personal connections and relationships as well.
“Nineteen countries, 20 ships, that's a significant undertaking and we're very much looking forward to hosting.
“The National Defence Strategy is very clear in our circumstances and the complexity and the contested nature of our environment. And so the fact that we can operate together, the fact that we train together, we learn together… what you see here represented is our closest friends and partners in the region. And so our National Defence Strategy highlighted the importance of our need to enhance those relationships. And this is an example of how we're doing that practically.
“The National Defence Strategy articulates what our circumstances are. They talk about them being the most complex circumstances since the end of the Second World War, and that environment is complex, it's contested and congested, and it reinforces why we need to do these exercises. And I think that strategy clearly articulates what's important for defence, what's important for the nation, and these exercises are an example of how we're doing that.
“This exercise enhances our preparedness for any contingency. And so it does that because we get to exercise with our partners and our friends, and also because of the fact we get to exercise those high-end war fighting functions that our ships are designed to do. And so whilst the exercise has different components and different layers and the shore-based components, and the like. At the end of the day, we'll walk away from here as a better prepared Navy and a better prepared Defence Force.”
The RAN will be joined by the Royal Australian Air Force in an impressive aerial display over Sydney Harbour. Following the flying display, the RAN will conduct a ceremonial gun salute.
The Fleet Review is being held in conjunction with Exercise Kakadu, the RAN’s premier multinational maritime exercise. This pairing transforms the occasion from a ceremonial event into a practical demonstration of regional partnership, readiness and interoperability.
“The Fleet Review highlights the depth of our partnerships across the region, demonstrating the strength of the relationships and the importance of working together to ensure a secure maritime domain,” according to Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond.
“For 125 years, Australia’s Navy has defended our nation, protected our maritime approaches, and supported regional stability but we have never done it alone. Our partners and allies have played a critical role in our 125-year history.”
