The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and crew to Japan as part of Operation Argos, supporting the enforcement of United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanctions on North Korea.

Operating from Kadena Air Base, the P-8A and its crew will undertake coordinated surveillance missions to deter and disrupt illegal maritime activity by monitoring and recording ship-to-ship transfers of sanctioned goods at sea.

Since 2006, the UNSC has passed nearly a dozen resolutions imposing sanctions against North Korea for developing nuclear weapons and related activities. 

These sanctions effect trade and activities relating to weapons and military equipment, dual-use technologies, industrial machinery, rare earth metals and coal; and caps the import of oil and refined petroleum products.

The Australian Defence Force has enforced these sanctions through Operation Argos since 2018, using a combination of aircraft and ship deployments.

Sanction enforcement operations are also conducted by Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, and United States.

Quotes attributable to Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones:

“Through Operation Argos, the Australian Defence Force continues to play a vital role in maintaining peace and security in the Indo-Pacific, working alongside our international partners to enforce UNSC sanctions.

“Australia remains committed to enforcing United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea until it takes concrete steps towards denuclearisation.

“Our deployment reinforces Australia’s strong commitment to uphold international law and support the rules-based global order.

Quotes attributable to RAAF No 11 Squadron Detachment Commander, Squadron Leader Tristan Hull: 

“This is the 16^th time Australia has deployed maritime patrol aircraft to enforce these sanctions, with our most recent P-8A deployment occurring in April this year.

“The P-8A Poseidon is an effective platform for sanctions enforcement, able to loiter for long periods and use a sophisticated suite of sensors to monitor and record maritime activity.

“The crew is well trained and prepared for the Operation Argos mission, and our deployment forms part of No 11 Squadron’s proud history of service in the Indo-Pacific region.”

MEDIA NOTE:

Media can access file imagery at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20251009 (stills) and http://images.defence.gov.au/S20251009 (video). 

Information about Operation Argos is available from https://www.defence.gov.au/operations/argos.