Article Posted on : - May 17, 2010

Patrol Boat ‘HMAS Broome’ leaves Darwin to take part in Exercise Cassowary 2010. Photo: Australian Navy

SYDNEY (BNS): The Australian and Indonesian navies have commenced a joint naval exercise, CASSOWARY 2010 (CA10), to strengthen maritime ties between both the countries.

The CA10 is a bilateral exercise which began on May 8th in Kupang, Indonesia. It includes combined patrol boat exercise, designed to enhance interoperability in maritime operations between the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

During the exercise, two Armidale Class Patrol Boats, HMA Ships Broome (Assail Two) and Pirie (Assail six) of Royal Australian Navy have undertaken a number of maritime activities with the TNI-AL ships KRI Untung Suropati and KRI Kerapu.

“A key part of Australia’s national strategy for defence is to promote regional stability. This is achieved through a wide variety of measures, one of the most important of which is through exercises like CASSOWARY 2010,” Commanding Officer of HMAS Broome Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Barry Learoyd RAN, said in an Australian Navy’s official news release.

“The importance of Indonesia as a key strategic partner for Australia has been increasing in recent years. The RAN enjoys a solid and deepening relationship with the TNI-AL and we are committed to developing even greater practical cooperation between our forces in years to come,” LCDR Learoyd added.

The patrol boats are currently undergoing a number of exercises in communications, tactical manoeuvres, boarding operations, small boat transfers and damage control, as reported in the release.

The importance of Indonesia as a key strategic partner for Australia has been increasing in recent years.

According to LCDR Learoyd, by developing an effective military relationship with Indonesia, Australia can strengthen its nation to nation ties, which is essential for regional security of both the countries.

The CA10 will conclude on 18 May 2010.