Multilateral Exercise In Bali Has Focus On Disaster Response

More than 30 ships from at least 15 countries have come together to take part in Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo 2025 (MNEK25) hosted by the Indonesian Navy in Bali.

The latest iteration of the biennial exercise started on Sunday and runs until Saturday (February 16-22). Its twin focuses are maritime cooperation and disaster response protocols, and has been timed to take place in conjunction with host nation’s International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS).

The initial harbour-based phase features workshops on infrastructure repairs and emergency medical response. Later in the schedule participating ships and aircraft will conduct coordinated manoeuvres and search-and-rescue training.

Among the ships taking part is the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) destroyer and lead ship in her class  HMAS Hobart. MNEK25 marks the fifth time the RAN has sent assets to collaborate in Exercise Komodo.

RAN Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones commented: “Our participation in Exercise Komodo, along with other bilateral and multilateral exercises with Indonesia, demonstrates our shared commitment to an open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region.

“Exercise Komodo 25 will include a collaborative maritime search and rescue scenario, ensuring we can work together in response to contingencies within our region.

“The ship’s company for HMAS Hobart is proud to join Indonesia’s largest Fleet Review and Exercise Komodo, and we look forward to these events being outstanding successes.”

The Singapore Navy (RSN) has sent Victory-class missile corvette RSS Valour and Independence-class littoral ship RSS Fortitude. In a press statement it noted: “The RSN has participated in MNEK since its first edition in 2014, and this underscores the close and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and Indonesia.

“As a multilateral exercise involving various countries, MNEK is an important platform to promote friendship, mutual understanding, and professional exchanges amongst the participating navies.”

The U.S. Navy has sent Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Task Force 72 to take part in the exercise. Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral Steve Koehler stated during his speech at the IMSS: “I am proud of what the U.S. Pacific Fleet and our joint force can generate in terms of military power, our ability to synchronize in all domains, and do all of that with our allies and partners.

“We will continue to be a reliable maritime partner for all like-minded nations and their citizens in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

• You can read more details about Exercise Komodo 25 on the U.S. Navy website, the Australian Ministry of Defence website and the Republic of Singapore Navy website