LUMUT, 5 Sep-The COVID-19 pandemic that engulfed the world did not hinder the spirit of cooperation and defence diplomacy that is already intact through the implementation of the Malaysia-Australia Sea Training Exercise (MASTEX) 2021 between the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) around the waters of the Straits of Melaka recently.

The annual bilateral exercise with the concept of Field Training Exercise (FTX) lasted for 3 days from 2 – 4 Sep 21. This is an exercise that has been conducted since 2002 involving the navies in strengthening interoperability and strategic cooperation covering the context of maritime defence through the sharing of professional ideas and field expertise, at the international level.

Faced with the pandemic, the RMN continued to show commitment through the involvement of 3 assets namely KD LEKIU, KD JEBAT and SUPER LYNX helicopters followed by the RAN which sent 2 ships namely HMAS CANBERRA, HMAS ANZAC with two CH47 helicopters and an MH-60S helicopter from Australian Maritime Task Group. Not to be missed are 2 F/A 18D aircraft and 2 HAWK aircraft belonging to the RMAF as support assets.

Several series of joint exercises have been realised covering anti-air attack, anti-submarine warfare exercises, surface target firing, tactical maneuvers and boat operations throughout the FTX. The successful conduct of the training clearly reflects the professionalism, capability and readiness of the personnel who are very proud in the aspect of handling the defence assets of their respective countries. This new normative exercise is seen to continue to invigorate the spirit of cooperation in maritime and air operations between regional countries as well as provide opportunities for the strengthening of joint maritime security and surveillance training.

Overall, the exercise this time met the goals and objectives that have been set in addition to reflecting the quality of assets and credibility of RMN personnel to operate with assets from friendly countries. This clearly proves that the RMN is a credible navy and has always been able to protect and defend the country’s maritime interests at all times.

Source: MPAB Strategic Communications Office

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EKSESAIS MASTEX 2021 : COVID-19 TIDAK MENGHALANG KERJASAMA DAN DIPLOMASI PERTAHANAN

LUMUT, 5 Sep – Pandemik COVID-19 yang menyelubungi dunia tidak menghalang semangat kerjasama dan diplomasi pertahanan yang sedia utuh terjalin menerusi pelaksanaan Malaysia-Australia Sea Training Exercise (MASTEX) 2021 antara Tentera Laut Diraja Malaysia (TLDM) bersama Tentera Laut Diraja Australia (TLDA) di sekitar perairan Selat Melaka baru-baru ini.

Eksesais bilateral tahunan berkonsepkan Field Training Exercise (FTX) berlangsung selama 3 hari mulai 2 – 4 Sep 21 ini merupakan eksesais yang telah dilaksanakan sejak tahun 2002 melibatkan tentera laut kedua negara dalam memperkukuhkan interoperability serta kerjasama strategik meliputi konteks pertahanan maritim melalui kaedah perkongsian idea dan kepakaran lapangan secara profesional di peringkat antarabangsa.

Mendepani pandemik, TLDM terus mempamerkan komitmen menerusi penglibatan 3 buah aset iaitu KD LEKIU, KD JEBAT dan helikopter SUPER LYNX di ikuti ketumbukan TLDA diketuai 2 buah kapal iaitu HMAS CANBERRA, HMAS ANZAC bersama dua buah helikopter CH47 dan sebuah helikopter MH-60S dari Australian Maritime Task Group. Tidak ketinggalan adalah 2 buah pesawat F/A 18D dan 2 buah pesawat HAWK milik TUDM sebagai aset sokongan.

Beberapa siri latihan bersama telah direalisasikan meliputi latihan peperangan anti-serangan udara, anti-kapal selam, penembakan sasaran permukaan, manuvra taktikal dan pengoperasian bot sepanjang FTX. Kelangsungan latihan yang lancar tanpa sebarang insiden jelas menggambarkan sikap profesionalisme, keupayaan dan ketersediaan warga yang amat membanggakan dalam aspek pengendalian aset pertahanan negara masing-masing. Latihan secara norma baru ini dilihat kekal menyemarakkan semangat kerjasama operasi maritim dan udara antara negara serantau selain turut menyediakan peluang bagi pemantapan latihan keselamatan dan pengawasan maritim secara bersama.

Secara keseluruhan eksesais pada kali ini memenuhi matlamat dan objektif yang telah ditetapkan selain mencerminkan kualiti kemampuan aset dan kredibiliti warga TLDM untuk beroperasi bersama aset-aset dari negara sahabat. Ini jelas membuktikan bahawa TLDM adalah sebuah angkatan laut kredibel dan sentiasa berkeupayaan untuk melindungi serta mempertahankan kepentingan maritim negara pada sebilang masa.

Sumber : Pejabat Komunikasi Strategik MPAB