As Australia and Indonesia strengthened security ties ashore with the signing of a landmark Defence Cooperation Agreement, the Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Perth has been busy strengthening ties at sea in cooperative training activities.
Perth joined the Indonesian Navy Diponegoro-class corvette KRI Sultan Hasanuddin at sea for a series of naval exercises.
The exercises were designed to improve interoperability - the ability of the two navies to operate together.
They included in-company pilotage, officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres, tactical communications exercises using signal flags and replenishment-at-sea approaches.
These exercises, capped off by a Commanding Officer's speech and a display from Sultan Hasanuddin, highlighted the mutual professional respect between the two navies.
This joint engagement showcased both nations' commitment to improving operational compatibility and strengthening the professional ties between their naval forces.
'Joint exercises such as these are vital for deepening our understanding of each other's naval operations.'
It came immediately after Perth visited the port of Makassar in Indonesia's eastern region.
Commanding Officer HMAS Perth Commander Ben Dalton said the visit and exercises marked a significant step in the partnership between the two nations' naval forces, furthering their ability to collaborate on regional maritime security.
"Joint exercises such as these are vital for deepening our understanding of each other's naval operations," Commander Dalton said.
"They strengthen our maritime partnership, helping Australia and Indonesia be well-prepared for cooperative regional security efforts in the future."
Perth's visit and naval exercises reinforced Australia's commitment to its relationship with Indonesia while also contributing to regional peace and stability.
Following the cooperative activity, Perth has continued its regional presence deployment to further strengthen trust and understanding between Australia and Indo-Pacific partners.
