Australia’s largest multilateral naval exercise, Kakadu 2018, is underway, with China participating for the first time. The RAN’s fleet commander, Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, stressed the importance of maintaining freedom of navigation in his speech at the launch of the exercises. Canberra’s decision to invite Beijing, despite its ‘aggressive’ behaviour in the South China Sea, runs counter to the US decision to exclude China from the 2018 Rim of the Pacific exercise held in Hawaii in July.
The Chinese navy sent its first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, the Type 002, for a second round of sea trials on 26 August. The latest test is designed to assess the ship’s communication and navigation systems and its modified propulsion system. While it’s been argued that the ship’s capabilities are ‘rather antiquated’, China’s aircraft carrier program has been described as a symbol of its entry into ‘the upper tier of military powers’.
The Indian defence ministry has approved the Indian navy’s request to acquire 24 anti-submarine and anti-ship multirole helicopters. The navy proposes to purchase Sikorsky MH-60Rs through a US foreign military sale worth more than US$2 billion. The government also plans to buy 111 utility helicopters to be built in India by private companies in collaboration with foreign defence manufacturers. The timeline for these acquisitions hasn’t been announced.
Exercise KAKADU is a joint exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy and supported by the Royal Australian Air Force.
Conducted both onshore and at sea off the coast of Darwin, this year’s event involves the participation of 27 countries deploying more than 3,000 personnel, 23 navy vessels, 21 aircraft, and a submarine.
Australian Fleet commander Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead said: “Having 27 countries from such a wide spectrum involved in Exercise KAKADU is a fantastic opportunity for us all to be able to understand each other’s abilities, and to be able to develop the confidence to work together effectively.”
“Exercise KAKADU 2018 is designed to be carried out into three phases, which include a harbour phase, a force integration training phase, and a free-play phase.”
In addition to Australia, the other participating nations include Bangladesh, Canada, Chile, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, the People’s Republic of China, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the UAE, the US and Vietnam.
Australian Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said: “This premier international exercise will provide invaluable training opportunities for maritime security and surveillance for all involved.
“Participation by nations from the South West Pacific, South East Asia and from the wider Indo-Pacific further strengthens the bonds we enjoy with our close regional partners.”
Exercise KAKADU 2018 is designed to be carried out into three phases, which include a harbour phase, a force integration training phase, and a free-play phase.
KAKADU is a premier multilateral regional maritime engagement exercise that is conducted twice a year in Darwin and the Northern Australian Exercise Areas (NAXA).
This year’s exercise is scheduled to continue until mid-September.
