Focus is on climate change and environment, says Australian fleet commander Earley
Vishakaptnam: The third edition of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour-2022 (IPE-22) focuses on humanitarian response assistance as well as climate change and environmental issues during its tour of 14 countries till December, the Australian fleet commander Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley has said.
Earley and his team are on a four-day visit to Vizag till November 2 as part of IPE-2022, which covers 14 countries.
Earley was speaking to the media on board HMAS Anzac, the lead ship of the Anzac-class frigates in service with the Royal Australian Navy, docked here on Monday. He said two ships, HMAS Adelaide and Anzac, have docked in Vizag for their exercise with the Indian Navy.
“Australia is committed to making an effective contributions to the humanitarian and security efforts in the region by having a vision for a secure, open, prosperous and resilient region, and with a proper plan of action with the partner nations,” he said.
IPE, one of Australia's key regional engagement activities, involves visiting a record 14 countries including the Maldives, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Indonesia and India. The exercise will involve a total of 1,800 personnel, five ships and 11 helicopters.
IPE began in 2017 as an annual activity to deliver on the promise of the 2016 Defence White Paper to strengthen Australia's engagement and partnership with regional security forces. Coordinated by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the activity will include military exercises, workshops, training, sporting events and cultural events with Indian Armed Forces partners.
The ADF band entertained the crowd at RK beach here on Monday morning as part of a joint task force of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on board two ships Adelaide and HMAS Anzac.
