Home Asia Pacific Australia’s newest defense vessel begins maiden deployment

Australia’s newest defense vessel begins maiden deployment

ADV Reliant
Photo: Royal Australian Navy

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant began her first deployment from Cairns on September 13, during which it will support Australia’s neighbors in the Pacific.

Timor-Leste will be Reliant’s first stop en route to the Pacific, where the vessel will visit seven Pacific island countries over the coming months, providing surveillance support and delivering essential cargo.

Crewed by a permanent Navy liaison officer and Australian merchant mariners managed by TK Shipping, the Pacific support vessel embarked on her maiden deployment after joining the naval auxiliary fleet earlier this month.

Commander of Australian operations in the South West Pacific, Major General Scott Winter said Reliant would boost Australia’s capacity to respond quickly in times of need through an enhanced, enduring presence in the region.

“Reliant will be used for a range of missions, planned in partnership with Pacific neighbors,” Major General Winter said.

“As a highly adaptable vessel, Reliant will expand the range of support Australian defense provides across the region, including search and rescue, maritime surveillance, transport of essential cargo, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”

Reliant is 102 meters long, has a large cargo deck and a large crane, and can produce thousands of liters of fresh water per day.

On her first deployment, Reliant will carry three containers of humanitarian and disaster response stores, enhancing Australia’s ability to work with Pacific partners and Timor-Leste in support of early, rapid responses to disasters and crises in the region.