Te Kaha alongside in Jakarta with representatives of the
Indonesian Navy, members of the ship’s company and the
NZDF Defence (Photo/Supplied)
The
Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) frigate HMNZS Te Kaha has
arrived in Jakarta on a goodwill port visit – the first
visit to Indonesia by a RNZN vessel since
2017.
The two day visit forms part of
HMNZS Te Kaha’s role in supporting the United Kingdom
Carrier Strike Group, currently operating in the
Indo-Pacific. The ship is berthed alongside Royal Navy and
Spanish Navy vessels also visiting Jakarta during this
period.
Commodore Shane Arndell, the
RNZN’s Maritime Component Commander, who is in Jakarta to
welcome Te Kaha to Indonesia’s capital, will also take the
opportunity to meet with senior leaders of the Indonesian
Navy (TNI-AL), including the Republic of Indonesia Fleet
Commander.
“This visit by Te Kaha reflects the
importance of the defence relationship between New Zealand
and Indonesia,” said Commodore Arndell. “Ours is a
shared commitment to regional maritime security and
stability in the Indo-Pacific and this is a welcome
opportunity to continue our dialogue and cooperation with
the Indonesian Navy.”
While in Jakarta, sailors from
HMNZS Te Kaha will take part in a programme of engagement
with their Indonesian Navy counterparts, including sporting
matches and a professional exchange briefing on the ship’s
recent deployment with the New Zealand-led Combined Task
Force 150.
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CTF150 is a multinational
maritime security operation focused on denying funds to
terrorist and criminal organisations through narcotics
smuggling in the Middle East. Over the last six months,
ships attached to CTF150 have seized over 7,000kg of
narcotics worth $NZ1.8billion.
Other
activities being conducted during the visit include a
courtesy call by HMNZS Te Kaha’s Commanding Officer,
Commander Fiona Jameson, on the local naval base commander,
and an official ship reception co-hosted by Commodore
Arndell and New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia, Mr Phillip
Taula.
HMNZS Te Kaha’s visit follows the RNZN’s
Chief of Navy, Rear Admiral Garin Golding’s participation in
the International Maritime Security in Bali earlier this
year, and underscores New Zealand’s ongoing commitment to
maritime partnerships and freedom of navigation in the
Indo-Pacific.
When HMNZS Te Kaha departs Jakarta it
will sail to Australia to participate in Exercise Talisman
Sabre.
