Australian and Malaysian Navies will join forces this week to participate in Exercise Mastex, a bilateral maritime warfare exercise being conducted in the Malacca Straits, Malaysia.
Anzac Class Frigates HMA Ships Parramatta and Ballarat will take part in the week long exercise, alongside Royal Malaysian Corvettes KD Lekiu and KD Kelantan.
Exercise Mastex will provide the opportunity for both Navies to improve their interoperability and mutual understanding in common aspects of naval warfare. The exercise will also involve the use of multinational air assets.
Commanding Officer of HMAS Parramatta Commander Heath Robertson said the opportunity to work alongside a close regional partner will be of great benefit to both Navies.
“Exercising with the Royal Malaysian Navy and operating in a joint environment will enable techniques to be practiced and improved in the area of maritime security including anti-surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare scenarios,” Commander Robertson said.
“We will conduct professional exchanges and a graduated exercise program, including weapons practices and a structured free play exercise.
“Exercise Mastex provides the Navies of Malaysia and Australia the opportunity to improve their effectiveness for any common taskings in the future,” said Commander Smith.
2011 marks the eighth iteration of the Mastex series which underscores the longstanding and mature relationship that Australia has with Malaysia, and recognises that the two nations share a common interest in the stability and security of the Southeast Asian region
The RAN maintains a regular bilateral exercise program with Malaysia, with both nations also engaging in multilateral exercises under the Five Power Defence Arrangements framework to which both countries are committed.
AUS Navy
