Australia's Pacific Support Vessel, Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant, has departed Brisbane on its first deployment of 2025.
Further enhancing Australia's partnership with the Pacific, ADV Reliant and crew will spend three months visiting Pacific island countries to deliver stores and equipment, and assist with maritime surveillance during the high-risk weather season.
During the deployment, ADV Reliant will deliver firetrucks to Kiribati, relief stores and infrastructure support to Tonga, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief stores to Solomon Islands. Regular port visits in the region reinforce and strengthen Australia's relationships with local communities.
Acting Chief of Joint Operations Major General Paul Kenny said since entering service in 2022, ADV Reliant had enhanced Australia's provision of aid and support.
"Over the past two years, ADV Reliant has proven to be a highly capable and responsive vessel," Major General Paul Kenny said.
"It has the ability to respond to any situation within the maritime domain, including significant incidents, rendering assistance to personnel in need and responding to medical emergencies."
ADV Reliant is deployed at sea for 300 days a year utilising a multi-crew system, and can provide support such as search and rescue, maritime surveillance, transport of essential cargo, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
