Russian Navy Backs Down from International Fleet Review

The Russian Navy has had to withdraw its ships from attending this month’s International Fleet Review, the Royal Australian Navy advised today.

The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, said the unfortunate change of plans was due a change in the positioning of the Russian ships.

 “While the withdrawal of the Russian ships is disappointing, it is also an example of the utility of navies and warships to flexibly react to changes in national priorities and tasking,” Vice Admiral Griggs said.

“We completely understand that all of the ships that have accepted our invitation to the International Fleet Review have done so subject to operational requirements.”

Vice Admiral Griggs said the withdrawal of the Russian Navy will not detract from the spectacle of the international contingent assembling in the coming days to join the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) for the International Fleet Review, which commemorates the RAN’s first arrival into Sydney Harbour on 4 October 1913.

Eighteen visiting warships and 16 tall ships from around Australia and the world will join 19 RAN ships to participate in what is arguably the biggest event Sydney has witnessed since the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

The warship and tall ship presence will also be supplemented with the participation of maritime patrol aircraft from Canada, Pakistan and the USA in IFR 2013 activities.

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Press Release, September 24, 2013