Australia and Indonesia complete maritime training Exercise Cassowary

The Royal Australian Navy and the Indonesian Armed Forces have concluded naval training Exercise Cassowary in Indonesia.

Exercise Cassowary is aimed at improving maritime security along the shared maritime borders of Australia and Indonesia.

The six-day training exercise conducted off the coast of Kupang, Indonesia, involved the Australian Navy’s Armidale-class patrol boat HMAS Maryborough and Indonesian Patrol Boats KRI Tongkol and KRI Langyang.

The exercise focused on combatting maritime threats, including illegal fishing.

Australia Defence Minister Linda Reynolds stated that the maritime exercise helps in improving Australia’s ties with Indonesia.

Reynolds said: “Combating illegal fishing and protecting the marine environment is not confined to jurisdictional boundaries, and no single military or government can successfully address this shared problem without a cooperative approach.

“Australia and Indonesia are not only regional neighbours, but also crucial security partners in the Timor Sea and Indian Ocean.

“Every opportunity we get to work together deepens that partnership, which makes both of our nations more effective at conducting maritime patrols.”

Cassowary allowed the navies of the two countries to share tactics and procedures to improve readiness. The forces shared best practices in maritime patrol and boarding.

The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) noted that the two nations have a mutual interest in maintaining ‘the security and stability of shared maritime domains’.

Exercise Cassowary helps improve mutual understanding between the Indonesian Navy and the Australian Navy. Australia hosted Exercise Cassowary 2018.