Australian warships to exercise off Korea next week

Royal Australian Navy and Republic of Korea Navy warships and planes will participate in a bilateral anti-submarine-warfare exercise from 1 to 3 November 2017.

FILE PHOTO: Lieutenant Paul Hodgins keeps watch from the bridge wing of HMAS Stuart on the way to Exercise Haedoli-Wallaby 2015. Photo by Able Seaman Kayla Hayes.

Defence says the biennial Exercise Haedoli Wallaby demonstrates a shared commitment by Australia and the Republic of Korea to regional security and security of the Korean peninsula.

Royal Australian Navy frigates HMA Ships Parramatta and Melbourne and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft will participate in the exercise with six Republic of Korea Navy ships, a submarine and a maritime surveillance aircraft.

The exercise will be conducted under the auspices of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017.

Commander of Australia’s Joint Task Group on Indo-Pacific Endeavour Captain Johnathan Earley said Exercise Haedoli Wallaby was an important activity for Australia and the Republic of Korea, as two regional middle powers that share common democratic values as well as security interests.

“During the exercise, we will strengthen our core sea-based maritime skills, while working together on briefings, table-top exercises, and international engagement activities on shore,” Captain Earley said.

“Australia’s defence relationship with the ROK is an important component of the broader bilateral relationship, and we welcome the opportunity to further cooperation with our Republic of Korea Navy counterparts.”

Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017 includes six ships and more than 1300 personnel, making it the largest coordinated task group deployed to the region in more than 40 years. The deployment is focused on security cooperation, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training.

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