Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba has completed her second South China Sea transit as part of her 2026 regional presence deployment.
After leaving a scheduled port visit in Subic Bay, the Philippines, on February 16, Toowoomba completed a maritime cooperative activity (MCA) with the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard and United States Navy, before commencing the transit.
Commanding Officer Toowoomba Commander Alicia Harrison confirmed that while several foreign naval vessels were operating in the vicinity during the routine transit, all interactions were safe and professional.
"The South China Sea is one of the busiest international waterways on the planet and our transits are a routine activity. They reaffirm our decades-long presence in the region and our commitment to the safety and security of our regional partners," Commander Harrison said.
"Australian vessels and aircraft will continue to exercise our rights to freedom of navigation and overflight in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea," Commander Harrison said.
"Regional presence deployments demonstrate Australia's commitment to maintaining a near-continuous presence in the region to support regional security and stability."
Regional presence deployments are vital to ensuring Australia's long-term security and prosperity by protecting Australia's interests, preserving an international rules-based order, enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies, and developing capability and interoperability.
"This transit, and other activities like it, present opportunities to strengthen our relationships and deepen interoperability with partners in this vital international waterway," Commander Harrison said.
"By working closely with our partners in the Indo-Pacific region, we deepen defence engagement to enhance and maintain the capability to make greater contributions to collective regional stability."
Toowoomba will continue her 2026 regional presence deployment throughout South-East Asia and East Asia, conducting training, exercises and other engagements with Australia's regional partners.
