JS SAZANAMI, P-1, and a submarine conducted a bilateral exercise (Trident23-2) with the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force.

From November 20 to 21, JS SAZANAMI, P-1, and a submarine conducted a bilateral exercise (Trident23-2) with Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS BRISBANE, HMAS STALWART, and Royal Australian Air Force’s P-8A in the sea and airspace from south of Kanto to south of Shikoku. Through the exercise, the unit improved its tactical capabilities and strengthened cooperation with the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force.
Commander, Escort Division 4, Captain MAKI Takayuki said, “Australia is a ‘Special Strategic Partner’ in the Indo-Pacific region, sharing not only universal values but also strategic interests in security with us. The relationship between the JMSDF and the Australian Defense Force has never been stronger and more important. The JMSDF will further promote defense cooperation/exchanges and mutual understanding with the Australian Defense Force in order to raise bilateral security and defense cooperation to a new level and to improve security environment in the Indo-Pacific region."
The Self-Defense Fleet maintains readiness and contributes to peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region and the international community in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies, not only for the defense of Japan, but also for the realization of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and a security environment that does not tolerate any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force.