Participating ships of Exercise KAKADU 2022 sail in formation during the Photo Exercise off the coast of Darwin. Image: Royal Australian Navy
More than 3,000 sailors and officers from 22 participating nations have completed the two-week Kakadu 2022 maritime exercise, the Royal Australian Navy announced Wednesday.
This year’s multinational training — the biennial event’s 15th iteration — drew the largest audience and number of assets to date, involving 34 aircraft, 15 warships, and a submarine.
Kakadu 2022 drilled Australia’s regional partners in capabilities including humanitarian and disaster relief, seamanship, maritime law enforcement, and maritime warfighting, the navy said in a statement.
The exercise also featured “15 air warfare serials, 13 anti-submarine warfare exercises, 17 gun-firing drills, and more than 13,000 rounds of ammunition in high-end training scenarios.”
HMAS Perth’s flight deck marshaller boatswains mate guides a French Navy Dauphin SA-365N helicopter as it departs the ship on completion of a cross-decking activity. Photo: Leading Seaman Jarryd Capper/Royal Australian Navy
“The post-COVID environment allowed us once again to build relationships through a range of cross-decking opportunities, where sailors and officers were immersed in the way partner navies do business, creating enriching learning and development opportunities,” Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley said.
The next Kakadu Exercise is slated for 2024.
Australian Navy, 21 Countries Complete Kakadu 2022 Maritime Exercise
More than 3,000 sailors and officers from 22 nations have completed the two-week Kakadu 2022 maritime exercise, the Royal Australian Navy announced.
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