Royal Australian Navy launches exercise with TNI-AL

Australia’s key bilateral maritime exercise with Indonesia commenced today in Surabaya, Indonesia.

CAPTION: Leading Seaman Jason Griffiths mans the MAG 58 light support weapon in HMAS Stuart’s MH-60R helicopter with HMAS Sirius in the background. Photo by Leading Seaman Tara Byrne.

Exercise New Horizon 2019 is designed to improve the ability of the Royal Australian Navy and Indonesian Navy, Tentara Nasional Indonesia-Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL), to work together at sea.

Commander of Australia’s Maritime Task Group Captain Andrew Quinn said the longstanding relationship between the Royal Australian Navy and the Indonesian Navy was positive and focused on a wide range of security-related matters.

“Our navies are committed to promoting peace and stability in our region and working together to strengthen regional maritime security,” Captain Quinn said.

“Exercise New Horizon 2019 is a tangible demonstration of this commitment.”

During New Horizon 2019, the newly upgraded ANZAC-class frigate HMAS Arunta and replenishment ship HMAS Sirius will practice replenishment-at-sea, anti-surface warfare, gunnery and maritime interdiction with frigates from the Indonesian Navy.

Commanding Officer HMAS Arunta Commander Troy Duggan, said the exercise was a milestone for the Royal Australian Navy as it is the first time an upgraded Anzac Mid-Life Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP) frigate had deployed.

“Arunta spent 20-months undergoing her mid-life upgrade at Henderson, Western Australia,” Commander Duggan said.

“The upgrade provides Arunta with a leap in capability for self-protection, communications, and command and control.

AMCAP upgrades ensure the ANZAC-class frigates remain one of the most advanced frigates in the world, and remain effective until the Hunter-class frigates enter service, starting in the late 2020s.

Exercise New Horizon 2019 is one of the final exercises of Navy’s East Asia Deployment, which has seen up to eleven Navy vessels, along with maritime helicopters, deploy simultaneously over the last four months.

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