Seven Royal Australian Navy ships depart their bases to get back to training

Seven Royal Australian Navy (RAN) warships sailed in the past week from navy’s Fleet Base East and Fleet Base West to undertake a range of training activities to test newly upgraded systems and exercise as part of a maritime task group.

Amphibious assault ship HMAS Canberra, guided missile destroyer HMAS Hobart and frigate HMAS Stuart departed Fleet Base East in Sydney, while frigates HMAS Anzac, HMAS Arunta, HMAS Ballarat and replenishment ship HMAS Sirius sailed from Fleet Base West in Western Australia.

As informed, Anzac will undertake sea qualification trials following her recent mid-life upgrade and Ballarat will sail to the east coast for unit readiness training, while the remaining ships will sail in company for a period of force integrated training, essential for maritime task group operations.

This training period will take place off Australia’s east coast and northern waters.

Commander Surface Force, Commodore Stephen Hughes, said the ships are heading to sea for training that will enable them to test their systems, conduct mariner and warfare training in areas such as ship handling, damage control, emergency drills; and task group warfare.

“This year has tested us in ways we would not have expected 12 months ago, but by putting multiple ships and more than 1,300 Navy people to sea from both sides of the country we are demonstrating we’re seaworthy, adaptive and operationally ready,” Commodore Hughes said.

“Some of these ships will deploy as a Task Group for Exercise RIMPAC 2020 off Hawaii incorporating high-end tactical exercises and working with partner nations.”