Operation Astute is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to the Australian Government's response to a request from the Government of Timor-Leste to assist in restoring peace and stability to their country.

The ADF has deployed to Timor-Leste with a mission to assist the Government and the United Nations to bring stability, security and confidence to the Timorese to allow them to resolve their differences democratically and peacefully.

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is working alongside the ADF to assist with this mission.

Together, the ADF and NZDF personnel form the International Stabilisation Force (ISF) in Timor Leste.

International police from Australia and 20 other nations provide security in Dili as part of the United Nations Police Force. The ISF provides support to these police operations as required.

Current ADF commitment
There are now about 750 ADF and 170 New Zealand Defence Force personnel deployed in Timor Leste with the ISF.

This force will remain in Timor-Leste to provide a robust response capability to support the Government of Timor-Leste and the United Nations Police.

Australian forces now deployed to Timor-Leste include:

• Headquarters Joint Task Force 631 (HQ JTF 631) drawn from elements throughout the ADF and commanded by Brigadier James Baker; and

• A Battle Group (known as Battlegroup SAMICHON), commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Ben James, consisting of:

o Battle Group Headquarters, three Rifle Companies and Administration Company from the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment;
o A Rifle Company, Bravo Company, from the 2nd/1st Battalion, The Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment;
o Mechanised Platoon (equipped with M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers) from 7th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment;
o Elements of the 4th Field Regiment, The Royal Australian Artillery;
o Elements of the 3rd Combat Engineer Regiment, Royal Australian Engineers;
o Elements of the 3rd Combat Service Support Battalion;
o Elements from the 1st Military Police Battalion.

(The designation Battle Group “Samichon” recognises the proud operational history of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment).

• An Australian Army Aviation detachment equipped with Black Hawk helicopters;
  
  
• An Australian Army Aviation Light Observation Troop with Kiowa helicopters;
  
  
• A detachment from Number 3 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force equipped with Iroquois helicopters.

United Nations Security Council Resolution effect on Operation Astute

Australia welcomes the extension of UNSCR 1704 passed in New York on the 22nd of February 2007.

The resolution officially confirms the ongoing United Nations Integrated Mission in Timor-Leste (UNMIT) support to the stabilisation process of Timor-Leste.

The UN Security Council has agreed to an Australian-led international coalition to provide the military component for UNMIT.


Information current at 29 January 2008