ARCHIVED MEDIA RELEASE
PA/17/2004 13 August 2004
Australian ship visit to Mumbai strengthens defence ties
A Royal Australian Navy frigate, HMAS Stuart, will visit Mumbai from 14-18 August marking the continuing growth in the defence relationship between Australia and India.
"The arrival of HMAS Stuart, commanded by Commander Phillip Spedding, demonstrates Australia's continuing commitment to maintaining a naval presence in the Indian Ocean that is in line with both Australia's and India's maritime security interests," said Australia's High Commissioner to India, Ms Penny Wensley AO.
"Both countries' armed forces continue to look for opportunities to strengthen links and, in particular, in naval cooperation given our shared interest in ensuring security in our common Indian Ocean region," the High Commissioner said.
"The Australian and Indian navies agreed to establish navy to navy talks, during the recent visit of Australia's Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Chris Ritchie, to India. The HMAS Stuart visit will further enhance the existing good relations between the two navies," noted Colonel Paul Power, Australia's Defence Attache to India.
HMAS Stuart is the third ship to bear the same name in the Royal Australian Navy and is the sixth ANZAC Class Guide Missile Frigate of the Meko 200 design to be built in Australia.
HMAS Stuart is a long range escort capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. The ship can counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines. Stuart is fitted with an advanced package of air surveillance radars omni-directional hull mounted sonar and electronic support systems which interface with a state-of-the-art combat data system. Stuart's ship's company numbers 170, of whom some twenty-five are women.
For further information, please contact Col Paul Power, Defence Adviser, Australian High Commission, on 9810399714.