Royal Australian Navy

Amphibs Called to Evacuate Australian Fire Victims

Evacuees from Mallacoota are transported by landing craft to M/V Sycamore on Jan. 3, 2020. RAN Photo

The wildfires in Australia have damaged significant parts of the country on an unprecedented scale and put large numbers of people at risk in remote locations as well as in population centers.

So far, the role of the military under Operation Bushfire Assist has been limited to a support role as the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is not specialized in fighting fires.

The ADF is “not trained,...

https://news.usni.org/2020/01/06/amphibs-called-to-evacuate-australian-fire-victims

Navy Busy in INDO-PACOM with Multinational Exercises, Freedom of Navigation Operations

The Virginia-class fast attack submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) steams alongside the French FREMM-class frigate FS Provence during a photo opportunity while conducting a bilateral anti-submarine warfare exercise in the Indian Ocean on May 13, 2019. Photo courtesy of the French Navy.

Several multinational exercises focused on interoperability have taken place in the Indo-Pacific region recently, including two involving French Navy aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R 91) on its first deployment...

https://news.usni.org/2019/05/20/navy-busy-in-indo-pacom-with-multinational-exercises-freedom-of-navigation-operations

BAE Systems Starts Design Work on Hunter-class Australian Frigate

Hunter-class version of BAE Type 26 frigate. BAE artist rendering

BAE Systems and the Australian government signed a contract on Friday to start detailed design and engineering work for the Royal Australian Navy’s planned Hunter-class frigate.

The Hunter-class frigate mission will primarily involve anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, missile defense, surveillance and interdiction missions. The frigates will be outfitted with CEA Phased-Array Radar and the Aegis combat management system,...

https://news.usni.org/2018/12/14/39660

Australia, U.S. Set to Expand Papua New Guinea Naval Base

Undated photo of ship approaching the Lombrum Naval Base in Papua New Guinea

The U.S. has announced it will join an Australian effort to push back against China’s expanding presence in South East Asia with the decision join in the modernization of the Lombrum naval base at Manus in Papua New Guinea.

This unlikely country has suddenly become the focus of the struggle between the Western Pacific powers and China, which has been using its soft power to increase its influence in South East Asia over...

https://news.usni.org/2018/11/23/australia-u-s-set-expand-papa-new-guinea-naval-base

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