Warfare Phase at Exercise Kakadu

Over 1,200 people, eight warships and 26 aircraft from throughout the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions are in Australia 25 August - 12 September for the Royal Australian Navy’s premier maritime warfare exercise, KAKADU 2014. Participants will conduct tactical warfare planning and cultural exchanges in Darwin for the first week of the exercise, then head to sea for high-end warfare serials including naval gunfire, communications, boarding's and air defence in the following two weeks. Many countries will be represented including Australia, Japan, the Philippines, Pakistan and New Zealand who are sending warships and aircraft. Representatives from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste, Tonga and Vanuatu will also have key roles, either working in one of the two KAKADU Task Groups or as part of the ‘observer-at-sea’ program. KAKADU 2014 aims to concentrate neighbours from the Asia Pacific and Indian Ocean regions to build on and enhance maritime capability. Solid naval cooperation between coalition nations enables a secure and stable maritime environment, ultimately leading to safety, trust, peace and prosperity on the high seas for all. The Royal Australian Navy is represented by HMA Ships Sydney, Stuart, Newcastle and Arunta along with S-70-B2 Seahawk, Bell 429 helicopters and MRH90 Taipan helicopters. Royal Australian Air Force assets include four 127 Hawks and four F/A 18 Super Hornets.