Almost 300 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have deployed to Japan to enhance readiness and interoperability as part of Exercise Keen Sword.
Established in 1986 between the United States and Japan, Exercise Keen Sword is held biennially and involves joint training at locations in Japan and across the region from 19 to 29 October.
This year’s exercise involves around 45,000 Japanese and 11,000 US personnel, 40 vessels and 260 aircraft, with Australia invited to participate alongside Canada, France, Germany, New Zealand, the Netherlands and the Philippines.
The ADF contingent includes a RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, Anzac-class frigate HMAS Stuart, specialist cyber and space teams, exercise control staff, and personnel embedded within Japanese and American units at the exercise.
The exercise will also support trilateral experimentation on autonomous systems, underwater acoustic communications and command-and-control approaches, helping Australia, Japan and the US strengthen secure interoperability and advance the coordinated employment of robotic and autonomous systems.
Commander of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO, CSC, RAN, said Australia first participated in Exercise Keen Sword in 2022.
“Exercise Keen Sword will test critical capabilities required to respond to a crisis or contingency in the region,” Vice Admiral Jones said.
“Our involvement with this exercise reinforces the importance of collective security, and the strength of our defence engagement with Japan, the US, and like-minded regional partners.
“Japan is an indispensable partner for achieving regional peace and prosperity, and Defence supports efforts that contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
Commander of the Australian Contingent for Exercise Keen Sword, Squadron Leader Peter Doyle, said the ADF regularly conducted deployments and training with the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the US Armed Forces.
“Exercise Keen Sword occurs at a time our defence cooperation is at a high watermark with Japan and the US, building out the experience and familiarity of our people to deploy alongside Japan and the US,” Squadron Leader Doyle said.
“We bring extensive experience with maritime and air cooperation with Japan and the United States, and expanding to space and cyber capabilities will further enhance our interoperability.
“That experience of moving people and capabilities across the Indo-Pacific and working in a complex and dynamic scenario such as in Exercise Keen Sword ensures we’re prepared to respond to future challenges.”
