Sailors and pilots from around the world have fought mock battles and simulated maritime warfare during Exercise Kakadu off the Northern Territory coast.

September 23, 2022

Australian sailors have practised defending their warship from attacking aircraft and missiles in mock battles during navy war games off the Northern Territory.

The maritime warfare training is part of Exercise Kakadu, which has seen 3000 sailors, pilots, submariners and defence experts from 20 countries sharpening their skills to strengthen regional partnerships.

“It’s very exciting,” Royal Australian Navy Sub Lieutenant Samantha Horsfield said on Friday as two German Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets roared fast and low over HMAS Perth.

Their thunder and crackle was quickly drowned out as two machine gun crews fired volley after volley of blank 50-calibre rounds into the sky to protect their Anzac-class frigate.

“They’re exercising shooting the aircraft as the last line of defence,” Sblt Horsfield said.

This year’s event is one of the biggest since Exercise Kakadu began in 1993 with defence personnel from the Indo-Pacific, Asia, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas taking part.

All told, 18 surface ships, one submarine and more than 30 aircraft have participated in the training.

Commander Tony Nagle said the exercise helps nations build a better understanding of each other’s navies and enhances their ability to work together during security, humanitarian and disaster relief operations.

“It’s important for us to learn from each other and develop an understanding how each other’s procedures differ,” he said.

“So when we do have to work together for significant reasons we have a thorough understanding about how they function.”

The exercise’s fleet including destroyers, frigates and corvettes was divided into two forces for a fortnight of fictional war and other activities to strengthen regional partnerships.

Patrol boats have also participated, undertaking training to bolster border protection activities.

Other drills include anti-submarine warfare, group manoeuvres, diving and counter-piracy operations.

Exercise participants have also completed a so-called “harbour phase” of briefings, cultural events, sports and social functions, and a fleet commanders and senior leaders conference.

Exercise Kakadu 22 concludes on Saturday.