RI, A`lian navies to conduct joint exercise in NTT

Antara News, Tuesday, May 4, 2010 21:06 WIB

Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) and Australian Navy (RAN) elements grouped in the Cassoex-10 Task Force left for East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) on Tuesday to conduct a joint exercise.

The Indonesian Navy`s KRI Kerapu-812 and KRI Untung Suropati-872 departed from the Eastern Fleet Command Headquarters in Ujung, Surabaya, East Java.

The warships would be involved in a joint exercise with RAN elements for seven days in Kupang.

According to the chief of the Cassoex-10 Task Force, Lt Col Rudhi Aviantara, the exercise was scheduled to be opened by the commander of the VII Main Naval Base, Commodore Amri Husaini on May 12, 2010.

In the exercise, the RAN would deploy the warships HMAS Bathrust P-85 and HMAS Pirie P-87.

"The warships of the two navies would conduct a manouvering exercise in the Timor Sea and later in Australian waters while they would eventually dock at Darwin port," Rudhi said.

The two countries` navies had already held several exercises under the codename Cassoex. "The two navies consider the exercise mutually beneficial in terms of technical or tactical capabilities," he said.

Therefore, Rudhi hoped the exercises would continue to contribute positively to the boosting of the two countries` diplomatic relations.