Article Posted on : - May 16, 2012

(L-R) Tentara Nasional Indonesia (Indonesian Armed Forces) naval vessels KRI Kakap and KRI Tongol sail from Darwin Harbour in formation with HMA Ships Larrakia and Ararat for Exercise CASSOWARY 2012. Photo: Australian MoD.

SYDNEY (BNS): Australia and Indonesia have completed a biennial patrol boat exercise off the coast of Darwin.

Exercise CASSOWARY involved Royal Australian Navy Armidale Class Patrol Boats HMA Ships Ararat and Larrakia along with Indonesian Armed Forces patrol boats KRI Kakap and KRI Tongkol, the Australian Ministry of Defence said.

Commodore Braddon Wheeler, Officer Conducting the Exercise, said CASSOWARY provided an opportunity for skills development between the two nations and the exchange of ideas.

"By regularly working together and sharing ideas, our Navies develop their teamwork to better protect our shared maritime interests."

"CASSOWARY featured a number of practical activities including simulated coordinated patrols, boarding party procedures, safety of life at sea and search and rescue exercises," he said.

"It helped build on maritime security cooperation between Australia and Indonesia and provided insights into how each Navy does business."

CASSOWARY built on the recent success of joint Australian-Indonesian coordinated maritime security patrol, AUSINDO CORPAT 2012 and was conducted in parallel with minor war vessel exercise TRITON THUNDER 01-12.