Article Posted on : - Feb 22, 2011

The Te Mana frigate. A New Zealand Navy photo

FREMANTLE, AUSTRALIA (BNS): The New Zealand Navy has dispatched two of its Anzac class frigates to take part in ‘Exercise Triton Storm 2011’ with the Royal Australian Navy.

The annual maritime training exercise, which kicked off earlier this month in the east coast of Jervis Bay in Australia, involves three frigates of the Royal Australian Navy – HMA Darwin, Ballarat and Parramatta and around 600 RAN personnel.

The Royal New Zealand Navy’s HMNZS Te Kaha and Te Mana set sail on Monday to join the Australian naval frigates Ballarat and Parramatta off the coast of Fremantle.

The exercise will involve 340 personnel from the Royal New Zealand Navy and will test the ships in a number of combat areas.

“Having recently completed main engine upgrades, both ships are fully operational and ready to make a substantial contribution to this exercise,” the New Zealand Navy said.

The SH-2G Seasprite helicopters which operate from the frigates have also been dispatched to participate in the naval wargame.