The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) HMAS Arunta has arrived in Sasebo, Japan, for a short logistics visit prior to participating in Operation ARGOS on 31 October 2020. Operation ARGOS is Australia’s contribution to the enforcement of United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea. This will be the fourth time a Royal Australian Navy ship has deployed to the region in support of Operation ARGOS since it began in 2018. The ADF has also deployed maritime patrol aircraft to Japan on seven occasions for Operation ARGOS. HMAS Arunta is currently on a two-month regional deployment throughout East Asia, demonstrating Australia’s commitment to an Indo-pacific region that is free and open, and secure.
Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said” Australia’s ongoing sanctions enforcement operations, in close cooperation with partners, were a significant contribution to international efforts to achieve permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula. We remain committed to implementing sanctions against North Korea until it takes clear steps towards complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation. HMAS Arunta and her crew will make an important contribution to enforcing United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea, demonstrating Australian Defence Force’s ongoing commitment to the region.”
Commander Troy Duggan, RAN, Commanding Officer of HMAS Arunta said,” It was a privilege to deploy his ship to undertake this important operation. The ship and crew continue to do tremendous work in the region, with the ADF playing an important role alongside our partners to enforce the UN sanctions. The capabilities of the ANZAC-Class frigates enable the accurate and detailed maritime surveillance required during our deployment to Operation ARGOS. I am proud of the work my crew is undertaking, especially deploying to East Asia on the back of a three-month regional presence deployment—they have worked tirelessly for our nation with the support of their families and friends over an extended period.”
HMAS Arunta (FFH 151) is an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The ship, named for the Arrernte people, was laid down in 1995 and commissioned in 1998. Since entering service, Arunta has performed a wide range of duties, including border protection patrols in northern Australian waters, and several deployments to the Persian Gulf. The Anzacs are based on Blohm + Voss’ MEKO 200 PN frigates, modified to meet Australian and New Zealand specifications and maximise the use of locally built equipment. Each frigate has a 3,600-tonne full load displacement. The ships are 109 metres (358 ft) long and 118 metres (387 ft) long overall, with a beam of 14.8 metres (49 ft), and a full load draught of 4.35 metres (14.3 ft).
