Defence to Contribute to Anti-Piracy Efforts

29 May 2009

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will commit assets to fighting piracy off the Eastern coat of Africa.

Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) assets, currently deployed to the Middle East Area of Operations under Op SLIPPER, will be flexibly tasked between their existing counter-terrorism and maritime security roles, and anti-piracy efforts.

The contribution includes Navy Anzac Class frigate HMAS Warramunga and RAAF AP-3C Orion patrol aircraft.

This will enable Australia to provide a robust and effective contribution to anti-piracy efforts, while still being able to respond to the most pressing tasking across the region.

Australia will also provide, on a rotational basis, a commander, fleet battle staff and Navy planning staff to international Task Force 150, based at Combined Maritime Forces in Bahrain.