Australia and New Zealand send N-Korea-watching Orions to Japan

Australia will deploy two AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft to Japan to conduct maritime surveillance in support of the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions on North Korea.

FILE PHOTO (May 2018): Royal Australian Air Force Warrant Officer David Bradshaw monitors a radar onboard an AP-3C Orion during a night exercise in the Philippines. Photo by Leading Seaman Jake Badior.

It has been reported elsewhere that New Zealand is also sending an Orion on the same mission.

Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne said this deployment supported Australia’s ongoing economic and diplomatic pressure on North Korea.

“It is a continuation of our strong stand to deter and disrupt illicit trade and sanctions-evasion activities by North Korea and its associated networks,” Mr Pyne said.

“This deployment follows on from our previous contribution of a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft earlier in the year.

“Australia continues to work with partners to enforce sanctions to pressure North Korea to take concrete and verifiable steps to denuclearise.

“A stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific remains Australia’s priority.”

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