Australia will assume command of the United Naval Forces’ Combined Task Force (CTF) 153 for the first time later this year.
The six-month appointment starting in October is intended to demonstrate Australia’s continued commitment to maritime security and compliance with international rules and standards.
CTF 153 was established in April 2022 and focuses on international maritime security and capacity building in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden.
Australia has been conducting maritime security operations in the Middle East under Operation MANITOU since 1990 and previously commanded CTFs 150 and 152.
“The Australian Defence Force’s command of CTF 153 is an important milestone in our commitment to maritime security,” said Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones.
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“We are proud to join 44 other member states in the Joint Force in supporting freedom of navigation, free, fair and open trade, and the rules-based international order.”
“This role demonstrates Australia’s commitment to international rules and complements our separate deployment under Operation Hydranth.”
In assuming leadership of CTF 153, Australia will maintain its current contribution to the CMF, which was increased in December 2023 in response to Houthi attacks on shipping and maritime traffic in the Red Sea.
Operation Manitou and Australia’s command of CTF 153 are separate from Australia’s support for international efforts to combat and weaken the capabilities of the Houthi in Yemen under Operation Hydranth.
The Australian government had previously come under criticism for refusing to send warships to the Red Sea as part of international efforts to prevent attacks on commercial shipping by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
Shadow Minister for Defence, Defence Industry and Defence Personnel Andrew Hastie described the rejection as another “no-show” on defence.
“This latest Labour failure proves that they are weak on defence and that they cannot be trusted to support our allies on the international stage,” he said in a public address last month.
“This is a prime example of the weakness of the Albanian government in defense.
“As early as December 2023, the Albanian government refused to send a warship to protect maritime trade in the Red Sea. Our navy had a warship ready, but it did not receive an order to leave.
“We have gone wrong again. Labour is not trustworthy on defence and national security.”
