Royal Australian Navy ships HMAS Anzac and HMAS Sirius will join vessels from France, India, Japan and the United States for the French-led maritime Exercise La Perouse.

This annual exercise will be conducted in the Bay of Bengal from 5-7 April 2021.

Minister for Defence the Hon Peter Dutton MP welcomed the exercise, saying Australia’s participation highlights the importance of building and maintaining strong navy-to-navy relationships in the region.

“This exercise will see an Australian frigate and auxiliary oiler conduct a range of activities, including officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres, replenishments at sea and flying operations,” Mr Dutton said.

“Exercise La Perouse will also demonstrate the complementary capability of our partner nations and highlight our shared commitment to a stable and secure Indo-Pacific.”

Commander of the Australian Task Force, Rear Admiral Mark Hammond, said Exercise La Perouse would refine the skills of the more than 260 Royal Australian Navy personnel taking part.

“Exercising with other navies strengthens our collective mariner skills and re-affirms our commitment to maintaining robust working relationships with our partners in the region,” Rear Admiral Hammond said.

“By training together we learn from one another, and we look forward to showing our partner navies what skills we bring to Exercise La Perouse.”

Following the conclusion of Exercise La Perouse, Anzac and Sirius will continue their deployment, conducting further international engagements across the region.