Australia leads MCM task force
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has lead a task force as part of the International Mine Countermeasure Exercise involving the US, UK and Oman.
The exercise took place on 10-23 April, during which ten RAN personnel joined Royal Fleet Auxiliary RFA Cardigan Bay, and personnel from Oman, the UK and the US, in Oman. Task Force 523 included three diving units and multiple ships in the Central Arabian Gulf and Red Sea. The international exercise takes place every 18 months.
The ship's operations room housed Australian command and control equipment that was used to identify and neutralise mines that pose a threat to commercial shipping routes.
During the exercise, Task Force 523 ships cleared the exercise area of sea mines and engaged a fictitious non-state terrorist group serving as the opposing force.
Commander Max Muller, Commander of the RAN's Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Task Group, said: 'Over 30 training mines have been deployed in the Gulf of Oman and it will be the job of the mine countermeasures units within Task Force 523 to find and deal with them.
'My role as the commander is essentially to gain situational awareness within my assigned exercise theatre from onboard RFA Cardigan Bay and help facilitate the freedom of navigation for shipping transiting through the Gulf of Oman, which has a very high density of maritime traffic.'
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA]()
Taiwan multiplies mine-layer vessel and UAV inventories to deter PLA
Taiwan is strengthening its deterrence against the PLA through an asymmetric arsenal that includes fast mine-laying vessels and domestically developed UAVs.
-
![L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts]()
L3Harris expands footprint across Europe via Everest NL and new contracts
L3Harris is targeting European naval modernisation with new uncrewed surface vessels, SATCOM partnerships, and regional investments including defence exercises and facility openings.
-
![Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS]()
Interview: DSTA collaborates with Leonardo, Thales and Safran for naval C-UAS
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, DSTA chief Ng Chad-son outlines how the agency is reshaping defence tech development through deeper collaboration with industry partners, from AI-enhanced radar to smart naval munitions.
-
![BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft]()
BAE Systems to collaborate with Umoe Mandal on Type 26 frigate and Littoral Strike Craft
The agreement is intended to boost opportunities for both UK and Norwegian naval shipbuilding.
-
![How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions]()
How the Force Design 2028 will impact US Coast Guard acquisitions
The FD 2028 strategy intends to reduce the bureaucracy in procurement processes while speeding up the field of assets.
-
![Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA]()
Thin-line towed arrays on uncrewed vessels deliver more cost-effective sonar, says SEA
Miniaturisation of technology opens up radical sensing technologies to smaller navies under submarine threat, according to SEA sonar expert.
