IFR 2016: Australian, Indonesian, Malaysian ships ready

Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Darwin sailed in company with Indonesian Navy Ship Kri Usman Harun and Malaysian Navy Ship KD Lekir in preparation for the International Fleet Review 2016.

Each ship has been selected to represent their respective country’s Navies at the IFR.

The Royal Australian Navy has prepared for its role in the 2016 IFR with HMAS Darwin sailing in company in the Bay of Bengal.

The Fleet Review provides an opportunity for Navies from around the world to build trust and confidence with their maritime neighbours and partners.

This event allows the host nation to display its maritime capabilities and the relationships it has built with other maritime nations.

Darwin’s passage to the IFR in company presented significant opportunities for manoeuvring and communication exercises, and the chance to better understand how each Navy does business.

Passage activities included the conduct of replenishment approach manoeuvres with Darwin acting as the guide, and cross-decking of personnel between Kri Usman Harun and Darwin.

Darwin’s navigator Lieutenant Scott Benstead said the occasion provided rare opportunities for cooperation: “It was a pleasure to be on the bridge today. The professionalism of the Indonesian and Malaysian crews was on display and they didn’t disappoint.”

Personnel from Darwin will participate in a number of events at the IFR including the Opening Ceremony, a visit to the Maritime Museum and IFR village and participation in the massed Fleet Review itself.

Darwin will also host the Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Tim Barrett, for an afternoon during the IFR.

Under Command of Commander Phillip Henry, Darwin is currently transiting via South East Asia to the Middle East (Operation MANITOU) as part of the 62nd rotation of Royal Australian Navy units to the region since 1990. This will be Darwin’s seventh deployment to the Middle East.

[mappress mapid=”17669″]