Article Posted on : - Sep 06, 2010

SYDNEY (BNS): The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) largest international maritime Exercise Kakadu 2010 concluded in Northern Australian exercise area off Darwin.

The biennial multilateral naval exercise was conducted from 16th August to 3rd September, 2010.

During Exercise Kakadu the RAN was represented by the replenishment vessels HMA ships Sirius and Success, three ANZAC-class frigates HMA ships Warramunga, Arunta and Toowoomba, two submarines, HMA ships Dechaineux, Collins and an Armidale-class Patrol Boat HMAS Albany.

Australia was also represented by RAAF assets, including AP-3C, F111 and Hawk fighter aircraft.

"Exercise Kakadu has provided an invaluable training opportunity for the Royal Australian Navy and visiting Navies to work together and build our effectiveness when we operate together in the areas of maritime operations and security," Exercise Director of Kakadu 2010, Captain John Vandyke, said in an official news release.

"The participation of two submarines made it a great opportunity for the ships to further enhance their skills at anti-submarine operations, while also providing excellent training for Australian submariners," he added.

In the exercise, the ships and submarines were tested on their ability to react and deal with many different maritime scenarios, while increasing their ability to operate effectively with other navies.

Exercise Kakadu involved naval and air assets from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, and Japan. Royal Malaysian Naval Officers participated in the exercise coordination. In addition the exercise was observed by representatives from India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, France and Republic of Korea.