Operation Gateway continues to strengthen regional security

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has successfully completed its latest deployment under Operation Gateway on the northwest coast of Malaysia, reaffirming Australia’s commitment to regional security and stability.

During the three-week deployment, two Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft conducted surveillance missions from Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) Base Butterworth.

Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC RAN said the missions provided maritime domain awareness of the North Indian Ocean and South China Sea.

“For over 40 years, Operation Gateway has been one of the main elements of the longstanding Malaysia-Australia Joint Defence Program,” Vice Admiral Jones said.

“The Indian Ocean is now the globe’s busiest and most strategically significant shipping corridor, with more than half of the world’s shipping container traffic and two thirds of oil shipments transiting the region.

“The successful completion of this rotation reflects the ADF’s ongoing commitment to working alongside our regional partners to ensure a stable, secure, and rules-based Indo-Pacific.”

The latest deployment included engagement between RAAF and counterparts from the Malaysian Armed Forces, including subject matter exchanges and information-sharing initiatives aimed at strengthening interoperability and mutual understanding.

The operation demonstrates the ADF’s ability to operate seamlessly across a range of environments in support of Australia’s and Malaysia’s mutual strategic interests.

Operation Gateway involves personnel from RAAF No 92 Wing deploying from RAAF Base Edinburgh in South Australia to RMAF Base Butterworth in Malaysia.

Established in 1980, Operation Gateway is one of Defence’s longest continuously running overseas operations.

Media note:

Media can access imagery of ADF’s previous support to Operation Gateway at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20243729    

Information about Operation Gateway is available at https://www.defence.gov.au/defence-activities/operations/indo-pacific-operations/gateway