SYDNEY, Australia (CU)_ The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has concluded its contribution to the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) in the Middle East, the Department of Defence said in a statement issued on Tuesday (Dec 29).
Personnel from the Australian contingent joined coalition partners in a formal flag lowering ceremony at the IMSC Headquarters in Bahrain, to mark the end of mission for Canberra.
Commander of Joint Task force 633, Rear Admiral Michael Rothwell, AM, RAN, said Australia’s contribution to the IMSC for more than a year was a small but important component of Canberra’s strong commitment to maritime security in the Middle East Region.
He added that as an island nation that relies on international waters for global trade activities, Australia should be proud of its involvement in the IMSC mission.
“Our contribution to IMSC, alongside our coalition partners, has been effective in deterring malign activity, promoting maritime security and stability, and ensuring freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in international waters throughout the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Gulf of Oman,” Rear Admiral Rothwell said.
In September 2019, Australia joined Albania, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States in the IMSC, and has provided support through the Frigate HMAS Toowoomba and a P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft belonging to the Royal Australian Navy. Moreover, the ADF also contributed staff to the mission’s headquarters in Manama, Bahrain.
The IMSC is a consortium of countries which is officially tasked with maintaining security in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden and Southern Red Sea, and plays a crucial role in ensuring freedom of navigation and the free flow of commodities through key waterways in the Middle East.
Australia’s Minister of Defence, Linda Reynolds, said the ADF is reducing its naval presence in the Middle East Region to expand the availability of resources to be deployed in the Indo-Pacific. However, Rothwell noted that Australia would continue to support maritime security efforts in the Middle East.
