Combined Defence Exercise With Indonesia

Minister for Defence Media Mail List

Wednesday, 13 April 2005
054/2005

COMBINED DEFENCE EXERCISE WITH INDONESIA

A combined maritime air exercise between the Indonesian Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is underway in the Timor Sea this week, the first combined defence military exercise with Indonesia since 1999.

Defence Minister Robert Hill said Exercise ALBATROS AUSINDO demonstrates the renewed commitment between Australia and Indonesia to strengthen Defence relationships between the two countries.

"Exercise ALBATROS AUSINDIO is a further opportunity to build the relationship and it demonstrates the cooperation and our shared commitment to maritime security," Senator Hill said.

"The exercise will involve concurrent maritime surveillance conducted by an Indonesian Air Force B737 Surveiller aircraft and a RAAF AP-3C Orion and will run until the end of the week. This exercise was last conducted in 1998.

"The exercise, including highly complex maritime surveillance training, will include interaction between the aircrews and technicians and aims to improve the interoperability and information exchange between our two forces.

"We will continue to find ways to further develop the relationship between our two defence forces, through the conduct of exercises such as ALBATROS AUSINDIO."

Senator Hill said joint naval exercises involving Indonesia were also planned for later this year.

Exercise Kakadu, an important regional defence exercise, will be held in northern Australian waters in August and the Indonesian Navy will participate in the exercise. A joint naval exercise between Indonesia and Australia is also under consideration for later in the year involving patrol boats.

ENDS

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