The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is expanding its operational reach across the Indo-Pacific, underscoring a strategic commitment to regional security and international partnerships.
The recent deployments of the Royal Australian Navy vessels HMAS Brisbane, ADV Reliant and HMAS Hobart highlight the dual focus on strengthening defense capabilities and fostering cooperation.
HMAS Brisbane, a Hobart-class destroyer, returned to Sydney in January 2025 after a five-month mission that included Australia’s first live-firing of a Tomahawk cruise missile, according to the nation’s Defence Department. The launch, conducted off the west coast of the United States, marked a major advance in Australia’s long-range strike capabilities.
“Australia is now one of only three nations alongside the United States and United Kingdom to acquire, and fire, Tomahawk cruise missiles,” Rear Adm. Chris Smith, fleet commander, said in a news release. “The achievements by HMAS Brisbane’s personnel [have] helped deliver a significantly advanced long-range missile capability for the Australian Defence Force.”
The deployment included joint exercises with the U.S. Navy, scheduled maintenance in San Diego, California, and extensive warfare training. The vessel covered more than 17,000 nautical miles after departing Sydney in August 2024.
The support vessel ADV Reliant, meanwhile, is conducting a three-month humanitarian mission delivering aid and equipment to island nations, reinforcing Australia’s commitment to its Pacific neighbors.
At sea for about 300 days each year, ADV Reliant is key to Australia’s engagement in the Pacific, providing services such as search and rescue, humanitarian aid, and maritime surveillance, as well as responding to medical emergencies.
The vessel departed Brisbane in December 2024 to deliver fire trucks to Kiribati, relief supplies to Tonga and humanitarian assistance to Solomon Islands, the Defence Department reported. It also is conducting maritime surveillance during the high-risk weather season.
HMAS Hobart embarked from Sydney in January 2025 for a six-week deployment to Southeast Asia. Equipped with the Aegis combat system, SPY-1D radar arrays, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and SM-2 and ESSM surface-to-air missiles, the destroyer can conduct a range of operations, according to the Defence Department.
The vessel participated in La Perouse, a biennial exercise led by France with participation by Canada, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S. Conducted in the Lombok, Malacca and Sunda straits near Indonesia, drills included boarding operations and air-based search and rescue.
Such deployments “demonstrate Australia’s ongoing commitment to supporting regional security and stability, and promoting a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” said Vice Adm. Justin Jones, chief of joint operations.
The ADF’s flagship regional deployment, Indo-Pacific Endeavour, was inaugurated in 2017 and is held annually to enhance partnerships and security in Southeast Asia and the Northeast Indian Ocean. ADF assets including naval vessels and aircraft engage with forces across the region.
