Japan conducts exercise with US and Australia in East China Sea

The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, together with the US Navy and the Royal Australian Navy, conducted a trilateral exercise in the East China Sea to East of Okinawa.

As informed, the workout took place between 4 and 6 July. Japan’s lead ship of the Asahi-class destroyers, JS Asahi, partnered with the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey. From the Australian side, Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta participated in the drill.

This exercise contributes to the improvement of JMSDF’s tactical capabilities and strengthens cooperation between JMSDF, the US Navy and Royal Australian Navy.

It also contributes to the realization of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.

The Japanese and US navies are conducting regular maritime exercises to strengthen their relationship and interoperability. In May this year, ships and aircraft from the US Navy’s Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (RRNCSG) concluded a week of at-sea bilateral training with a destroyer from Japan.

The bilateral training included a gunnery exercise, electronic warfare exercise, helicopter deck landing qualifications, formation sailing, communication drills, and replenishments at-sea.

The events allowed for the US Navy and JMDF force to exercise together towards common maritime goals.