Article Posted on : - Apr 19, 2010

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Newcastle.Photo: RAN

SYDNEY (BNS): Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Newcastle will depart from Garden Island, Sydney on Monday to perform maritime exercises in Sea of Japan, Canada and US (Hawaii).

HMAS will do combined maritime exercise 'Nichi Go Trident' with Japan Maritime Self Defence Forces in Yokosuka, for enhancing the two navies’ maritime coalition operations.

Following Nichi Go Trident, Newcastle will transit to Esquimalt, Canada in company with HMNZ Ships Te Kaha and Endeavour.

Later, the Newcastle will join Centennial International Fleet Review of Canadian Navy, with other 25 nations from the Indo-Pacific region.

"The ship is proud to represent the Royal Australian Navy at the Canadian Navy’s International Fleet Review," said Commanding Officer of HMAS Newcastle, Commander Justin Jones in an official news release

“The event provides a forum for us to engage with international navies and discuss international maritime security issues,” he added.

Recently, Newcastle was awarded the Gloucester Cup by the Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, which recognised the ship as being the foremost fleet unit in all aspects.

HMAS Newcastle is a long range escort vessel, capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reliability and unit level training.