Australia Deploys ANZAC-Class Frigates to Support Indo-Pacific Security and Regional Presence

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has commenced a new series of Regional Presence Deployments in 2026, with two ANZAC-class frigates, HMAS Toowoomba and HMAS Warramunga, departing Fleet Base West in Western Australia to undertake what the Australian Defence Force (ADF) describes as “near-continuous maritime presence” operations across the Indo-Pacific region.

These deployments form part of Australia’s longstanding commitment to regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, where maritime security, freedom of navigation and cooperative engagement remain central to the country’s defence posture.

Regional Presence Deployment (RPD) programs like this are designed to maintain Australia’s operational presence in the Indo-Pacific, enabling the RAN to participate in exercises, training activities and interoperability engagements with partner nations, while also conducting visits and cooperative engagements with regional maritime forces.

Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations for the ADF, emphasised that the deployment underscores Australia’s commitment to collaboration with regional partners and the value of continued cooperation to uphold a rules-based maritime environment.

The two frigates scheduled for deployment, HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) and HMAS Warramunga (FFH 157), are part of the ANZAC-class, a series of multi-role frigates commissioned into the RAN in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These ships routinely contribute to Australia’s naval presence, including regional exercises, maritime patrols and cooperative missions with partner navies.

The deployment of these vessels follows previous regional operations, including the late-2025 assignments of HMAS Brisbane and HMAS Ballarat, which also took part in exercises and training with regional partners to enhance cooperation and maritime security.

Maintaining a consistent maritime presence is part of Australia’s broader defence strategy in the Indo-Pacific, where the ability to operate alongside partner navies enhances interoperability, builds mutual understanding, and contributes to a secure and stable region. These deployments also strengthen Australia’s capacity to support joint exercises, maritime security patrols and partnerships that underscore shared security interests across the area.

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