The Australian Defence Force (ADF) will work alongside regional partners next month to identify and safely dispose of dangerous World War II explosives in the South West Pacific.
Delivered through Operation RENDER SAFE, the ADF-led multinational activity will help Pacific island countries reduce the ongoing threat of posed by explosive remnants of war (ERW).
In Papua New Guinea (PNG), ADF engineers will work alongside the PNG Defence Force and partners from Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, to safely dispose of thousands of explosive items in the Gazelle, Kokopo and Rabaul districts.
Conducted from 1 to 20 June 2026, the activity will focus on ERW identified during previous operations that pose a potential risk to local communities.
At the request of the Government of Tuvalu, two Royal Australian Navy Huon Class Minehunters, HMAS Yarra and HMAS Diamantina, along with Pacific Support Vessel ADV Reliant, will deploy to Tuvalu from 1 to 13 July 2026 to conduct technical reconnaissance of Nanumea Lagoon.
This reconnaissance mission will build on survey work conducted in 2022 and support the Government of Tuvalu in planning future disposal activities.
Australian Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said Operation RENDER SAFE is a key contributor to a unified and secure Pacific.
"The ADF has worked with Pacific partners to support explosive ordnance disposal under Operation RENDER SAFE for more than 20 years," Vice Admiral Jones said.
"During these operations, we work side-by-side our regional partners and local authorities to conduct safe and deliberate identification and disposals of explosive ordnance removing the danger these pose to communities."
"Working together on Pacific-led solutions to Pacific challenges strengthens our combined security capabilities and contributes to maintaining a peaceful, stable and resilient region."
