Australia to embark on its largest ever defence engagement with Sri Lanka

[Gibbs]

Australia to embark on its largest ever defence engagement with Sri Lanka

Australia will embark on its largest ever defence engagement with Sri Lanka next week as part of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019 (IPE-19).

Australian high commissioner to Sri Lanka Jon Philp in a briefing in Colombo said that more than 1,000 defence personnel will be involved in the exercise comprising of Australian naval, army and air force assets.

He said that after departing Sri Lanka, IPE19 ships and assets will visit India and other regional partners.

The high commissioner said Australia’s vision for the Indo-Pacific is a region that is secure, open, prosperous and resilient.

The defence advisor of Australia Group Captain Sean Unwin said Sri Lanka is an important place in the Indian Ocean region and Colombo will the main focus of IPE-19.

He said Indo Pacific Endeavour is designed to promote security and stability in Australia’s near region through bilateral and multilateral engagement, training and capacity building.

The move assumes significance as several nations have enhanced engagement in Indian Ocean region after rising influence of China.

Australia along with India, Japan and US had formed the Quad to promote their interests in the Indo- Pacific region.

 

[Godman]

The ships that will be coming are
HMAS Canberra
HMAS Newcastle
HMAS Sirius
HMAS Parramatta

 

[Godman]

Four Australian Naval ships arrive in Sri Lanka for Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019

Four (04) Australian ships belong to the Royal Australian Navy HMAS “Canberra” , HMAS “Newcastle”, HMAS “Success” and HMAS “Parramatta” arrived in Sri Lanka today (23rd March) to participate in the Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2019. HMAS “Canberra” and HMAS “Newcastle” entered to the port of Colombo while HMAS “Success” and HMAS “Parramatta” entered to the port of Trincomalee. The ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on their arrival.

In view of strengthening the cooperation on maritime affairs in the Indian Ocean under the Indo-Pacific Endeavour, an Australian Task Force consisted of Army, Navy and Air Force personnel has arrived for this programme. Accordingly, humanitarian and disaster relief activities, Helicopter exchange operations, Maritime domain awareness activities, Tri Forces Band performance with Australian Defence Force Band and Sports events between Tri Forces personnel of both countries etc. are scheduled to be conducted during the whole programme.


The two ships arrived at port of Colombo are HMAS “Canberra” and HMAS “Newcastle”. The 230.9m long and 7.9m wide HMAS “Canberra” which is commanded by Captain Ashley M Papp under the Flag Officer Air Commodore Richard Owen, has a displacement of 27500 tons and a crew of 483 officers and sailors onboard. HMAS “Newcastle” commanded by Commander Anita Sellick which has a displacement of 4200 tons and a crew of 205 officers and sailors onboard, is 138.1m long and 7.9m in width.

Out of other two ships arrived at port of ,Trincomalee HMAS “Success” which is commanded by Captain Darren G. Grogan, is 157.2m in length and 8.4m in width and has a displacement of 17900 tons with a crew of 178 officers and sailors onboard. HMAS “Parramatta” commanded by Commander T Van Tienhovan which has a displacement of 3900 tons and a crew of 190 officers and sailors onboard, is 118m long and 6.2m in width.

HMAS “Success” and HMAS “Parramatta” are scheduled to set sail from the island on 27th March while HMAS “Canberra” and HMAS “Newcastle” are scheduled to depart Sri Lanka on 30th March.


http://news.navy.lk/eventnews/2019/03/23/201903231710/