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The RAAF has wrapped up a series of maritime surveillance missions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Conducted as part of the Air Force’s first iteration of regional presence deployments for the year, 11 Squadron’s P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft worked alongside the Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Hobart in the South China Sea on maritime domain awareness operations.
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Defence bills the Poseidon as Australia’s “proven multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft”, with applications including anti-surface and anti-submarine operations, search and rescue, surveillance and recon, and maritime and overland intelligence.
“The P-8A Poseidon employs specific capabilities and mission systems that make it invaluable when conducting maritime patrols both unilaterally and when operating as a joint force,” RAAF Deputy Detachment Commander Flight Lieutenant Johnathan Logan said.
“With regional presence deployments, we are often provided the opportunity to participate in multilateral activities with partners operating in the region, further enhancing our interoperability.
“For our deployed crew, participating in these activities is a powerful reminder of our ability to project integrated power in pursuit of a stable and secure region.”
According to Defence, Australia regularly operates alongside its allies and partners in the region.
“An earlier opportunity in the region involved the P-8A Poseidon, Hobart, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ship Akizuki, Philippine Navy ship BRP Jose Rizal, and United States Navy ship USS Benfold participating in a multilateral maritime cooperative activity within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone under Hobart’s Regional Presence Deployment 25-1,” the ADF said in a statement.
“These Defence activities form part of Australia’s longstanding contribution to regional security and stability, while enhancing maritime security and upholding international law and ensuring readiness to respond to shared security challenges.”
A RAAF Poseidon was last month involved in an incident over the South China Sea when a Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft dropped flares nearby on 11 February.
No injuries were sustained by Australian Defence Force personnel nor was damage caused to the RAAF aircraft; however, the safety and wellbeing of ADF personnel continues to be the utmost priority, according to Defence.
“This was an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre that posed a risk to the aircraft and personnel,” according to a Defence statement.
“Australia expects all countries, including China, to operate their militaries in a safe and professional manner.
“For decades, the ADF has undertaken maritime surveillance activities in the region and does so in accordance with international law, exercising the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.”
