Australia and Thailand Participate in Combined Exercise

(September 1, 2008) -- The Royal Australian Navy Anzac Class Frigate HMAS Anzac has today commenced AUSTHAI 08, a combined maritime exercise with the Royal Thai Navy.

Anzac joins the Thai missile corvette, HTMS Sukhothai and the frigate HTMS Tapi in waters off Sattahip, in the Gulf of Thailand.

AUSTHAI aims to develop skills common to both navies and increase interoperability for combined operations. During the week long exercise, seamanship and core mariner skills will be honed with a number of exercises and evolutions being conducted. These include maritime interception operations, helicopter cross-deck flying, and anti air, surface and submarine warfare.

Understanding between the two navies will also be enhanced with a number of personnel from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Thai Navy taking part in an exchange program.

"This iteration of the AUSTHAI series will build on past successes. It provides an important opportunity for the navies of Australia and Thailand to work together to improve our combined maritime procedures and tactics," Commanding Officer of HMAS Anzac, Captain Stuart Mayer, CSC, RAN said.

"Anzac's ship's company is proud to take part in this exercise with an important regional partner. AUSTHAI once again reaffirms the strong ties between the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Thai Navy," Captain Mayer said.

Source : MoD Australia

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