Aussie Naval Officer Lauds Brunei-Australia Defence Ties
By Maya Salleh

Bandar Seri Begawan – Defence relationships between Brunei and Australia have received a boost with the ongoing `Exercise Penguin 12/04', a bilateral naval exercise between the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) held here until August 18.

Lieutenant Commander Richard James, Commanding Officer of HMAS Dubbo, one of RAN ships taking part in the exercise welcomed the close co-operation between the two navies.

"The exercise aims to strengthen the relationship of, and to enhance the mutual cooperation and understanding between the two navies," Lieutenant Commander James said. "This will be achieved through the development of common operational doctrine, procedures and maritime warfare.

The exercise will also enhance positive interaction between personnel of both navies as they will be working together and also participate in sport activities and attend receptions."

This exercise is another example of the close defence ties between Australia and Brunei. These links are focused on strategic-level cooperation, including military exercises, regular working group dialogue, as well as training opportunities. This co-operation takes place under the auspices of the 1999 Australia-Brunei Memorandum of Understanding concerning Cooperation in Defence Activities.

Illustrative of the importance Australia attaches itself to its defence relationship with Brunei was the visit to Brunei earlier this year by Lt General Peter Leahy, Chief of the Australian Army. More recently over 60 Australian army personnel participated in a joint training exercise with RBAF counterparts here in Brunei as part of Exercise Mallee Bull.

Illustrating as an example of the practical cooperation between the two navies, the crews of HMAS Dubbo and HMAS Geraldton were delighted to welcome aboard their ships two officers from the Royal Brunei Navy, who sailed with the Australian ships from Darwin to Brunei.

The exercise is the 12th in a series of a biannual exercises between the two navies hosted by the RBN.

Meanwhile, the two ships from the RAN, involved in the exercise HMAS Dubbo and

HMAS Geraldton, have seen 20 years of service since being commissioned in 1984. Both ships have hero deployed on a variety of tasks, including surveillance of Norlli Australian and South-West Pacific waters, Bass Strait oil rig Panrok and policing of Australian Fisheries Zone.

Both RAN ships are Fremantle Class Patrol Boats and they now form part of the RAN's principal contribution to the national task of fisheries protection and immigration, customs, and drug,-law enforcement operations. The vessels work hand-in-hand with other Government agencies and provide assistance as part of the Coastwatch-managed national surveillance effort.

In addition the Patrol Boats are central to Australia's engagement will with countries in the South West Pacific region and are deployed throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific in support of Australia’s strategic interests. Patrol Boats also support Special Forces operation’s and provide a useful transport capability, particularly in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance operations.

The Patrol Boats are equipped with high definition navigational radar, high and ultra-high frequency communications equipment, compass and echo sounder.

They are also fitted with a satellite navigation system, which enables the ship's position to be determined with great accuracy.

The two RAN ships will berth at RBN jetty during the exercise, together with five RBN ships. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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