Global Navy Forces Converge on Darwin for Exercise Kakadu 2024
Warships and personnel from over 30 nations will arrive in Darwin this week for Australia’s premier maritime warfare event, Exercise Kakadu. Since its inception in 1993, the exercise has grown in both size and complexity, this year featuring warships, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft, with over 3,000 uniformed personnel participating.
Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO RAN, Chief of the Navy, warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of the partnerships that would be strengthened throughout the exercise. “Kakadu is the largest and most important international exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy. It enhances relationships and interoperability between participating armed forces. As a maritime nation, Australia, like its neighbours, relies on the sea for prosperity, secured by a strong Navy and solid partnerships,” said Vice Admiral Hammond. “Kakadu allows officers, sailors, and aviators to sharpen their skills in a range of tactical maritime operations. This year’s focus is on greater integration and interoperability with our international partners in all aspects of the exercise.”
Building on the success of 2022, this year’s event will feature a multinational Exercise Control team based at RAAF Base Darwin. They will coordinate air, sea, and subsurface activities, covering the full spectrum of maritime warfare, from mission planning and constabulary operations to advanced anti-submarine warfare and air defence exercises.
“There is no economic security without maritime security,” Vice Admiral Hammond emphasized. “The nations participating in Kakadu share this view and are committed to ensuring the safety, security, and strength of our countries.”
The theme for this year’s exercise is “Regional Cooperation through Trusted and Proven Partnerships.” Alongside the at-sea exercises, there will be a harbor phase featuring briefings, a Fleet Commanders and Senior Leaders’ conference, ceremonies, and various cultural, social, and sporting events.
