Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017 Begins
Posted by Aiswarya Lakshmi September 5, 2017


Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Darwin, HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Toowoomba steam line astern during their departure from Sydney Harbour during the fleet departure for Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017 (IPE 17). Photo: Royal Australian Navy

A group of warships departed Sydney on 4 September to participate in a series of key military exercises throughout the Indo-Pacific region – grouped as Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017.

Running from 4 September to 26 November,Indo-Pacific Endeavour will focus on enhancing military cooperation with some of Australia’s key regional partners including Brunei, Cambodia, the Federated States of Micronesia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.

More than 1,200 Australian Defence Force personnel will participate, which is being led by Canberra class amphibious ship HMAS Adelaide.

Adelaide will be accompanied at various stages of the deployment by frigates HMAS Melbourne, HMAS Darwin, HMAS Toowoomba, HMAS Parramatta, and replenishment ship HMAS Sirius, making it the biggest coordinated Australian task group deployment since the early 1980s.

Minister for Defence Marise Payne said the Indo-Pacific Endeavour deployment, which has been in planning for over 12 months, was part of ongoing efforts to enhance and develop strong positive relations with regional militaries through both dialogue and practical activities.

“This deployment is another opportunity to promote security cooperation in the region and exercise our humanitarian and disaster relief capability where it may be used,” Minister Payne said.

“The Australian Defence Force regularly conducts exercises with a range of militaries to strengthen relationships and cooperation.”

Minister Payne said activities like Indo-Pacific Endeavour generated personal relationships, shared experiences and common understanding with our regional partners that could be crucial to success in times of uncertainty or crisis.

“Maintaining the rule of law and respecting the sovereignty of nations large and small is fundamental to continued peace and stability in our region,” Minister Payne said.

Indo-Pacific Endeavour will also involve service personnel from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force and include Defence civilians, helicopters, and fixed wing aircraft.

“The Joint Task Group will demonstrate the Australian Defence Force’s ability to operate across the full spectrum of military operations, from high-end military capabilities such as anti-submarine warfare to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” Minister Payne said.

https://www.marinelink.com/news/indo...ndeavour429053

Australia-led military drills show tougher China stance: experts
By Liu Caiyu Source:Global Times Published: 2017/9/7 0:18:39



Australia's largest military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region show it has toughened its stance toward China, especially on South China Sea issues, experts said.

An Australian Navy fleet left Sydney on Mondayfor its biggest military exercises since the 1980s, called Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2017.

Running from Monday to November 26, the exercises will focus on enhancing military cooperation with countries including Brunei, Cambodia, Micronesia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste, according to Australian defense ministry on Monday.

"Australia is strengthening its military network, an alliance that is US-centered," Chen Xiangmiao, a research fellow at the National Institute for the South China Sea, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Australia keeps saying it won't take sides but in terms of military strategy, it has always been following the US, Chen added.

Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne said the deployment, which was planned more than 12 months ago, is "part of ongoing efforts to enhance and develop strong positive relations" with regional countries' militaries.

It also shows that the Australian government has turned tough toward China strategically and on South China Sea issues. During the exercises, the Australian fleet will visit countries surrounding China, Chen said.

"Australia's behavior is for political purpose rather than military goal, because Australia's naval power is not enough to shake the stability of the region again, and even the US is getting tired of making trouble in the region," said an anonymous naval expert who used to served in the PLA Navy.

More than 1,200 Australian Defense Force personnel will participate in the exercises, with the Australian fleet.

http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1065191.shtml