Royal Australian Navy Hobart class destroyer HMAS Sydney sailed from Fleet Base East in Sydney Harbour on Tuesday 9 June, commencing the third Regional Presence Deployment for 2026.
HMAS Sydney will participate in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 in the United States next month before sailing onwards for training activities and engagements with allies and partners to maintain Australia's presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
This deployment follows HMAS Toowoomba's return from its four-month Regional Presence Deployment on 29 May 2026.
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO, CSC, Royal Australian Navy, said HMAS Sydney's deployment reinforces Australia's reliability as a security partner, in line with the 2026 National Defence Strategy.
"HMAS Sydney's presence in the region enhances Australia's awareness of maritime activities across the Indo-Pacific," Vice Admiral Jones said.
"Australia has a longstanding commitment to working with allies and partners throughout our region, and HMAS Sydney's crew will proudly continue that.
"This cooperation is essential to uphold the collective security of the Indo-Pacific, ensuring our region remains peaceful, stable, and prosperous."
Australia conducts regional presence deployments in accordance with international law. This allows Australia to exercise its rights to freedom of navigation and overflight in international waters and airspace.
HMAS Sydney's Commanding Officer, Commander Ben Weller said the deployment to RIMPAC offers the team the opportunity to build relationships with regional partners and allies while honing skills in a complex training environment.
"This deployment offers a valuable opportunity to train with other militaries and demonstrate the skill, dedication and resilience of our people," Commander Weller said.
"Through exercises like RIMPAC and regional engagements, HMAS Sydney contributes to maintaining a stable, secure and open maritime environment."
Commissioned into service in 2020, HMAS Sydney has an approximately 180-strong crew and an embarked MH-60R Seahawk maritime warfare helicopter. The ship is capable of conducting air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction missions.
