Royal Marines Practice Deep Strikes Behind Enemy Lines

Royal Marines deployed more than 400 miles into the outback of Australia’s Northern Territory as they spearheaded allied forces taking part in a major show of strength in the Indo-Pacific.

More than 400 UK Commandos have been deployed for the last six weeks near Darwin for military drills alongside hosts Australia, the United States and the Philippines – aimed at increasing their ability to fight and win together.

Operating ‘deep behind enemy lines’, the Commandos worked ahead of the main forces in small teams along the vast Indian Ocean coastline and bushland of the Northern Territory, carrying out carefully planned raids on critical infrastructure to pave the way for allies to hit adversary strongpoints alongside 1 Brigade of the Australian Army.

The Commandos deployed under the cover of darkness by helicopter and raiding craft from the coast, where support ships RFA Argus and RFA Lyme Bay have been operating as part of a Royal Navy task force – known as Littoral Response Group (South), which is designed to react to world events and crises east of the Suez Canal and into the Indo-Pacific.

To find out more, visit the Royal Navy's website