Exercise Albatross AUSINDO 23 commences

Exercise Albatross AUSINDO 23 will see Australia and Indonesia conduct maritime surveillance training from RAAF Base Darwin over May 20 to 24.

The exercise will involve a RAAF P-8A Poseidon, and a Boeing 737 maritime surveillance aircraft from the Indonesian Air Force (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Udara, or TNI-AU).

During Exercise Albatross AUSINDO 23, both nations will participate in bilateral training and maritime security surveillance exercise sorties in the Timor Sea.

Air Commander Australia, Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie, said the exercise will build the maritime patrol skillsets of Indonesian and Australian aircrew.

“The aim of Exercise Albatross AUSINDO 23 is to strengthen the cooperation between our air forces in the maritime surveillance role,” Air Vice-Marshal Goldie said.

“It provides an environment for building mutual co-operation and understanding, both at the aviator-level as well as between the Australian Defence Force and Indonesian National Armed Forces.”

“Maritime surveillance makes an exceptionally important contribution to Australia and Indonesia’s respective security, and helps ensure a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”

Exercise AUSINDO was last held in Indonesia in 2021, although COVID restrictions meant interactions were limited to the airborne environment. In 2022, both Air Forces were joined by ships from the Royal Australian Navy and the TNI-AL for maritime search activities in Makassar, Indonesia.

Exercise Albatross AUSINDO is one of three collaborative exercises conducted between the RAAF and TNI-AU, the others being Elang AUSINDO (air combat); and Rajawali AUSINDO (air mobility) with hosting responsibility shared between Australia and Indonesia. Air Force is deploying F-35As to Indonesia later this year for Elang AUSINDO.  

For more information, visit the Defence Aircraft Noise website or call 1300 DEFENCE (1300 333 362).