Australia’s flagship region engagement activity in Malaysia

KOTA KINABALU (Oct 2): Australia’s flagship region engagement activity, Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE), is an activity that is conducted across foreign countries each year.

Commander of IPE24, Commodore Michael Harris said, Australia has conducted IPE since 2017, which demonstrates Australia’s commitment in working with their partners across the region.

“The Indo-Pacific Endeavour sees Australia’s commitment to working with our partners across the region to make the region a prosperous, stable and peaceful environment that sees all countries respecting national war and their country’s sovereignty.

“IPE also helps us and our friends work towards our shared vision of peace and security in the Indo Pacific,” he said during a media tour aboard the HMAS Sydney at the Kota Kinabalu Port, here today.

Harris said Australia has a long history of working with their partners to ensure the nation is free to act in their own interest.

“This is important as we do it together with our friends and our partners.

“We say for Indo-Pacific Endeavour that this is our home, that Australia is, of, with and for the region and we are passionate about keeping the region safe,” said Harris.

The IPE 2024 in Malaysia will run from Oct 1-11 and will serve as a platform for Australia and Malaysia to further strengthen their friendship and understanding as long standing partners in defence.

Under this bilateral engagement, IPE 2024 will conduct a series of engagement activities with Malaysian Armed Forces, which will provide opportunities for both countries to share experiences and exchange views.

Key IPE 2024 engagements and activities in Malaysia include a forum on international humanitarian and cyber law, faith-based and sporting engagements, including friendly badminton matches and HMAS Sydney’s activities at sea with the Royal Malaysian Navy.

IPE is an annual program that supports the Australian Government’s commitment on deepening diplomatic and defence partnerships across Southeast Asia and the Northeast Indian Ocean, and reinforces Australia’s commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous region, underpinned by respect for sovereignty and adherence to agreed rules and norms.

The HMAS Sydney ship is of the Hobart Class guided missile destroyers (DDG). Hobart Class DDGs are based on the Navantia-designed F100 frigate and fitted with the Aegis Combat System. The Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance constructed the ships in Australia.

HMAS Sydney provides air defence for accompanying ships, land forces and infrastructure in coastal areas, and for self-protection against missiles and aircraft.

The ship, with a length of 146.7 metres, carries a helicopter for surveillance and response to support key warfare areas. The surface warfare function includes long-range anti-ship missiles and a naval gun capable of firing extended range munitions in support of land forces.

HMAS Sydney is commanded by Commander Grant Coleman with 239 crew members.