Introduction

Exercise Kakadu IX is a vital maritime exercise that strengthens ties with Australia’s international counterparts and seeks to improve maritime interoperability.  Exercise Kakadu IX will be held in the Northern Australian Exercise Area, off Darwin from 21 July – 8 August 2008.  It is the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) premier international engagement activity for 2008.

During Kakadu IX the RAN will be represented by the Replenishment Vessel HMAS Sirius, the Anzac Class Frigate HMAS Toowoomba, Adelaide Class Frigate HMAS Melbourne, a Collins Class Submarine, HMAS Collins, two Huon Class Mine Hunters HMA Ships Diamantina and Gascoyne and the Armidale Class Patrol Boats HMAS Maryborough and HMAS Maitland.  The Australian contingent also includes the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), who will contribute assets including two AP-3C Aircraft and Hornet and Hawk Fighter Strike Aircraft.


Regional participating forces will contribute 10 ships to the Australian contingent, as well as various supporting military aircraft. The 19 day exercise will bring together defence personnel from Australia, New Zealand, the French Armed Forces – New Caledonia (FANC), Singapore, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, Japan and Thailand; with observers from India, the Philippines and Indonesia. Around 2,000 personnel will take part in Exercise Kakadu IX.

Through integrated harbour and sea phases, Kakadu IX aims to improve the RAN’s ability to work with international naval forces.  The harbour phase will consist of briefings and cultural exchange activities between participating international forces. The sea phase will promote a shared understanding of maritime security issues through graduated training activities and weapons practices. The planned maritime security exercises and evolutions will test the effectiveness of participating assets at sea. 

The defence relationships between RAN and foreign Navies, fostered by exercises such as Kakadu IX, fulfil a vital component of Australian strategic and national interests.