Trans-Tasman military operations are continuing to integrate into a de facto regional force after a new naval deal was signed in Canberra.
The signing of Plan Tasman by the navies follows the recent establishment of the RAAF’s first overseas forward refuelling post in New Zealand.
The plan was recently signed by the Deputy Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Rear Admiral Darren Grogan, and his Royal NZ Navy counterpart, Commodore Karl Woodhead, in Canberra.
Under the plan, the navies will strengthen co-operation across personnel, training, capability development, warfighting, engineering and overseas deployments to enable closer co-operation, share information and align training and operational requirements.
Rear Admiral Grogan says the plan reinforces a longstanding maritime relationship between the countries.
TRANS-TASMAN NAVAL TIES
“Plan Tasman … provides a practical framework to strengthen the way we train, operate and develop capability together,” he says.
“… this agreement will help ensure our navies remain ready to operate side-by-side and respond to shared challenges in support of regional security, stability and prosperity.”
Commodore Woodhead says there is a real need for co-operation to meet current security challenges.
“Our maritime relationship was established more than 160 years ago, strengthened over generations in times of war and peacetime co-operation,” he says.
“As our region becomes increasingly contested against the backdrop of a deteriorating global security environment, our strategic guidance is to deepen and formalise the alliance.
“Plan Tasman is exactly that, signalling a shift from a history of co-operation based on tradition to integration by design.”
CHINESE SCARE: Last year, a New Zealand frigate on its way to the Middle East was diverted to follow Chinese warships in the Tasman at the request of Australia. It was joined by NZ’s refuelling ship on its way back from the Antarctic; click here for that story.
RAAF’S FIRST OVERSEAS REFUELLING BASE
Meanwhile, the RAAF has established its first Forward Arming and Refuelling Point (FARP) on New Zealand’s North Island air force base at Ohakea.
The FARP was used recently when the RAAF sent two F-35s, a C-130J Hercules, a KC-30 aerial tanker and 67 personnel to take part in Exercise Agile Tasman.
The F35s from Newcastle took part in a live bombing run at the NZ Defence Force’s Waiouru range before refuelling and rearming at Ohakea then later taking part in intercept training with RNZAF P-8 maritime patrol aircraft
The Chief of the RNZAF, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb, said the exercise was a chance for some trans-Tasman practice with Australia.
“Our responsibility to enhance the security and prosperity of our region is best done by Australia and New Zealand and many other nations working together. To do that effectively, it simply takes practice.”
Williamstown to New Zealand, supported by a RAAF KC-30 air-to-air refueller, and then entering the Waiouru skies to conduct a co-ordinated time-on-target strike employing two GBU-54 precision-guided bombs, which were GPS target designated and guided into the training area by ground crews.
