Global Maritime Forces Converge for Australia's Largest Warfare Exercise 'Kakadu 2024'

Defense personnel from over 30 nations participate in Australia's Kakadu 2024. Features include warships, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft. Over 3,000 personnel will take part. Focus is on enhancing interoperability and fostering partnerships among international armed forces.

Defence personnel and artillery from more than thirty nations are set to participate in Australia's largest warfare exercise, Kakadu 2024. This year's event will feature an array of military assets such as warships, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft from attending countries.

Growing in scale since its inception in 1993, Exercise Kakadu 2024 will see the involvement of over three thousand personnel. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, greeted the participants with a message emphasizing the camaraderie that will be forged through this activity. 'Kakadu is an important exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy as it deepens relationships and interoperability among participating armed forces,' he stated.

Vice Admiral Hammond highlighted the focus on interoperability, stressing the integration of international partners in all aspects of the exercise. 'This year, the emphasis will be on greater integration of Australia's international partners,' he noted. Building on the success of 2022, this year's exercise will include a multinational Exercise Control element at RAAF Base Darwin to coordinate air, sea, and subsurface activities across the full spectrum of maritime warfare.

The theme for Kakadu 2024 is 'Regional Cooperation through Trusted and Proven Partnerships,' aiming to unite participating nations in their shared commitment to maritime security. Complementing the at-sea exercise program, a harbor phase will feature briefings, a Fleet Commanders and Senior Leaders' conference, ceremonies, and various cultural, social, and sporting events.

(With inputs from agencies.)