Australian Ship on Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022
New Delhi: The Australian Defence Force’s flagship regional engagement activity, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, will see two ships, embarked helicopters, and around 1,500 personnel visit Vishakhapatnam, India from October 30 to November 2 (IPE22).
This year’s IPE is said to be the largest one since it began in 2017. It will consolidate partnerships by visiting 14 countries, including India.
Australia’s High Commissioner to India, Barry O’Farrell, said, “IPE22 supports the Australian Government’s commitment to an open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific region. The activity will strengthen Australia’s engagement and partnerships with regional nations.”
“India is an important strategic partner for Australia and has a critical role to play in the security and stability of the wider Indo-Pacific. IPE22 will pave the way for deeper and more sophisticated operational cooperation between our defence forces,” added Mr O’Farrell.
Australian Navy personnel with shotgun
The ships of the Royal Australian Navy are HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Anzac which are engaged into IPE22. These ships are coming from Sri Lanka.
Commanded by Captain SJ Watters, HMAS Adelaide is a 230m-long Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) and has 08 ship-borne attack helicopters and 543 crew members.
Similarly, HMAS Anzac is a 118m-long Frigate. It is commanded by Commander DM MCPHERSON.
She is manned by a crew of 119 and the ship also possesses a ship-borne attack helicopter.
Coordinated by the Australian Defence Force, the activity will include military exercises, workshops, training, sporting events, and cultural activities with Indian armed forces partners.
It will deepen cooperation on issues ranging from amphibious operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, to gender, peace and security.
Commodore Mal Wise AM, Commander IPE22 said, “I look forward to leading Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022 to make new relationships and strengthen our ties in the region. We plan to learn from our partners all the way from India to Indonesia.”
“Regional security is more than a military task. I am pleased that a range of government agencies are contributing to Indo-Pacific Endeavour as we work together to support a peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood,” Commodore Wise added.
Australian Navy personnel
IPE22 commenced in late September and will conduct activities with the Maldives, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia before the ships return to Australia by mid-December.
