Publication:Navy Annual 2005/HMAS ARUNTA - Vladivostok 2004
BY LIEUTENANT RICHARD PETRIE, RAN AND MR ALEX BROOKING, DEPUTY HEAD OF AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY TO RUSSIA
As night gave way to a clear, crisp dawn HMAS Arunta's Ship's company could make out the silhouette of the Russian Pacific Fleet Tarantul Class Patrol Boat sent to escort us into the Russian city of Vladivostok. Arunta proceeded into harbour and executed a Mediterranean moor adjacent to three Udaloy Class ASW Destroyers, including our host ship RK Marshall Shaposhnikov. After the rarely-practised mooring procedure, the first for an Anzac Class Frigate (FFH), Arunta was welcomed with a traditional bread and salt ceremony. It was a dramatic start to a highly successful visit.
Arunta's visit to Vladivostok was only the second by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). There had been a long gap since the previous visit, almost ten years ago by HMAS Sydney. A lot has changed in Russia in that time and the visit provided an excellent opportunity for both sides to update each other on developments in both their strategic and operating environments. It also provided an opportunity for the Ship's company to experience the renowned Russian hospitality. The then Maritime Commander Australia, RADM Rowan Moffitt AM, RAN, and the Deputy Head of the Australian embassy in Moscow, Mr Alex Brooking, were present for official Navy-to-Navy talks, with Arunta the Maritime Commander's flagship.
The Ship's company was able to balance official obligations and leave opportunities to experience the delights of the city, partaking in organised tours, finding authentic Russian souvenirs such as the babushka dolls and fur hats, and sampling the hardy Russian meals, toasted with the obligatory nip (or two) of vodka.
Arunta's visit generated a great deal of goodwill. The Russian Pacific Fleet went to considerable lengths to accommodate Arunta's visit and turned on an excellent program including professional exchanges as well as cultural and sporting events. Of these, highlights included a special rendition by the Russian Navy's Song and Dance Troupe and a hotly contested volleyball game. Arunta reciprocated with a number of Ship open days. Several inter-mess functions occurred, with our Russian counterparts from our host ship helping cement the friendships that quickly grew despite the language barrier. Both Australians and Russians alike quickly appreciated that we had more in common than initially thought. Russian naval personnel were especially impressed that females serve at sea in the RAN, given this is not the case in the Russian Navy.
RADM Moffitt, AM, RAN, held productive talks with his Russian naval counterpart, Vice Admiral Mardusin, Deputy Commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, as well as with the leaders of the Primorsky Krai region and the City of Vladivostok. The two sides agreed that there was a solid basis within the Asia-Pacific region for further bilateral cooperation. The Russian Pacific Fleet foreshadowed the possibility of a return naval visit to Australia in the near future.
The Australian embassy in Russia hopes that Arunta's visit will mark a new phase in contact between the Australian and Russian Navies to the benefit of both our countries.
Hopefully it won't be another ten years between visits!
