Australia's flagship regional engagement activity, Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE) 2023, has commenced this week in India and will visit 14 countries over a four-month period.
IPE supports the Australian Government's focus on deepening our diplomatic and defence partnerships across Southeast Asia and the Northeast Indian Ocean, and reinforces Australia's commitment to a peaceful, secure and prosperous region.
IPE 2023 will conduct activities with Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Maldives, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste, Thailand and Vietnam.
The first element of IPE 2023 will be joint maritime interoperability training between a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) P-8A Poseidon and an Indian Navy P-8I Neptune in India.
This year's IPE will include military exercises, workshops, training, sporting events, and cultural activities. It will deepen cooperation on matters ranging from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to gender, peace and security.
As part of IPE 2023, the Australian Defence Force and Armed Forces of the Philippines will participate in Exercise Alon for the first time. Exercise Alon involves an Australian and Philippines joint bilateral amphibious activity and will include complex air, land and maritime training.
Royal Australian Navy ships, Australian Army detachments and RAAF aircraft will also support exercises and engagement activities, sharing information and providing training opportunities throughout IPE 2023.
Other agencies will also contribute to a range of activities, reflecting Australia's whole-of-government commitment to regional stability and security.
Quotes attributable to Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Greg Bilton:
"Indo-Pacific Endeavour demonstrates Defence's commitment to investing in regional partnerships and the contribution we can make with our partners to a peaceful, secure and prosperous region.
"It is another example of the Australian Defence Force's efforts to encourage deep, sustained and effective engagement with our partners in Southeast Asia and the Northeast Indian Ocean.
"Exercise Alon is a significant activity that offers the opportunity for the Australian Defence Force to work closely with partner nations, increase interoperability and deepen people-to-people links to enhance defence cooperation.
"I thank all of the personnel deployed on Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 and their families for their contribution and service."
Quotes attributable to Air Commodore Tony McCormack, Commander IPE 2023:
"We look forward to working and training with our partners all the way from India in the west to the Philippines in the east over the next few months during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023.
"The activities that are part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 will build friendships and understanding.
"This will ultimately make it easier for us to work together in support of regional security, stability and prosperity."
