Navy's Largest Biennial Exercise "KAKADU" Concludes in the Top End

23 September 2024

Navy ships conduct a multilateral cooperative activity during Exercise Kakadu 2024 off the coast of Darwin, Northern Territory (photo: Aus DoD)

The 16th iteration of Australia’s largest biennial maritime warfare exercise, Exercise Kakadu, has come to a successful close at the port of Darwin, Northern Territory.

RAAF F35 conducts a low level fly past of HMAS Warramonga (photo: Aus DoD)

Exercise Kakadu involved warships and personnel from over thirty nations contributing to planning, briefings, sporting and cultural events, to the full spectrum of maritime warfare from constabulary operations through to high end, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare.

HMAS Warramunga (photo: Aus DoD)

Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Chris Smith, said the enduring success of Exercise Kakadu lay in the development of people-to-people connections. 

“The exercise is about so much more than ships and aircraft,” Rear Admiral Smith said.

Indonesian ship, KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai (photo: Aus DoD)

“This is about bringing our partners together; to discuss shared values and security challenges and to continue to strengthen our mutual understanding.”

The harbour phase of the exercise featured a Regional Fleet Commanders’ conference, including presentations on humanitarian and disaster relief responses and discussions between star ranked officers from over 30 nations.

Royal Malaysian Navy ship KD Lekir (photo: Aus DoD)

“One of the outcomes of this is the assurance that we are all united in a common purpose – the security of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” Rear Admiral Smith said.

Exercise Director, Captain David Tietzel, said the exercise also included a number of “firsts”.

Republic of Singapore Ship Supreme and HMAS Dechaineux (photo: Aus DoD)

“We were delighted to welcome the participation of the Vietnamese People’s Navy corvette VPNS18 in a constabulary role,” Captain Tietzel said.

A number of expeditionary logistics tasks were successful including a parachute air drop of stores from a Royal Australian Air Force C-27 Spartan aircraft to HMAS Warramunga and a replenishment of the frigate from fuel reserves at Port Melville in the Tiwi Islands.

Vietnam People's Navy ship FS18 (photo: Aus DoD)

“These types of activities demonstrate the versatility of our ships, aircraft and personnel to maintain a competitive edge,” Captain Tietzel said.

Exercise Kakadu, held in the Darwin region, provides a unique and challenging training environment for all participants.

Japanese ship Ariake (photo: Aus DoD)

“I’d also like to extend my gratitude to the Northern Territory Government and members of the local community for their ongoing support of the Royal Australian Navy and Exercise Kakadu,” Captain Tietzel said.

(Aus DoD)