Anzac Class frigate HMAS Stuart sailed from Fleet Base West in Western Australia this week, as part of the Australian Defence Force’s Regional Presence Deployment program.

In the coming months, HMAS Stuart and her crew will conduct a series of patrols, visits and engagements throughout the Indo-Pacific region. This includes training activities and exercises intended to strengthen interoperability with allies and partners.                                       

HMAS Stuart’s deployment reflects Australia’s commitment to exercising the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea afforded to all nations under international law, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Commander Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO, CSC RAN, said HMAS Stuart was the sixth Royal Australian Navy ship to sail on a Regional Presence Deployment this year.

“HMAS Warramunga and HMAS Toowoomba completed deployments earlier this year, and as of August we have four ships across the region on Regional Presence Deployments,” Vice Admiral Jones said.

“The Regional Presence Deployment program, alongside a range of other ADF deployments and activities in the region, ensures we maintain a near-continuous presence across the Indo-Pacific.”

“That presence reassures our allies and partners that we’re committed to contributing to the collective security of the Indo-Pacific, ensuring it remains peaceful, stable, and prosperous.”

Commander Aaron Scott CSM RAN, HMAS Stuart Commanding Officer, said the ship last conducted a Regional Presence Deployment in mid-2024.  

“Stuart’s crew is proud to be part of a generations-long tradition of Royal Australian Navy sailors deploying into our region, representing their nation, and deepening cooperation with allies and like-minded partners,” Commander Scott said.

“The work they do on this deployment will build their own professional experience as sailors, and make them more effective when deployed on operations in future.”

“Their service would not be possible without the understanding and sacrifices made by their families and friends whilst HMAS Stuart is away. We truly appreciate their support throughout this deployment.”

Commissioned into service in 2002, HMAS Stuart has a 177-strong crew and an embarked MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopter.

HMAS Stuart is a long-range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction.

Further details of HMAS Stuart’s activities will be released during the course of the deployment.

Media note

File imagery of HMAS Stuart during a previous Regional Presence Deployment is at http://images.defence.gov.au/S20240987.

A blog for Defence’s Regional Presence Deployment is at https://www.defence.gov.au/news-events/news/2026-05-08/regional-presence-deployments-continue-2026.

More information about Regional Presence Deployments is at https://www.defence.gov.au/defence-activities/operations/indo-pacific-operations/regional-presence-deployments.