Exercise Kakadu 2024 starts as warships depart Darwin Harbour

Destroyers, frigates, corvettes, helicopters and even a submarine could been seen in Darwin Harbour as a big cohort of warships floated out to sea to conduct one of the biggest maritime exercises of the year. See the photos.

FNS Auguste Benebig was the first ship to depart Kuru Wharf for Exercise Kakadu. Picture: Harry Brill.

Led by French patrol vessel Auguste Benebig, a large cohort of warships has departed Darwin Harbour for one of the biggest maritime military exercises of the year, with gunnery, boarding operations and anti-submarine training set to occur off the Territory coastline in the coming days.

On Thursday morning at HMAS Coonawarra, crews conducted their final checks as they waited patiently to set sail for biennial Exercise Kakadu.

The crew of HMAS Dechaineux could be seen from afar. Picture: Harry Brill.

New facility Kuru Wharf was packed with activity, with tugboats working hard to reposition the massive warships.

The first ship off the rank was patrol vessel Auguste Benebig, followed by a Vietnamese Pohang-Class corvette.

Capable of 24 knots, FNS Auguste Benebig was in no rush to leave Darwin, sailing at a steady pace as the remaining ships departed one by one.

In the distance off shore, American guided missile destroyer USS Dewey and Australian Collins-Class submarine HMAS Dechaineux could be seen loitering.

The crew of Indonesia’s KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai on parade before departing Kuru Wharf. Picture: Harry Brill.

Frigates involved in the exercise include Indonesia’s KRI I Gusti Ngurah Rai, Singapore’s RSS Supreme, HMAS Warramunga, and Canada’s Halifax Class HMSC Vancouver.

Several helicopters could also be seen on deck, including a Canadian CH-148 Cyclone and a Malaysian Super Lynx, both capable in anti-submarine warfare.

Amid the big ship movements, teams of Australian Army soldiers could be seen conducting their own maritime training, zigzagging across Darwin Harbour in their light boat.

Conducting their own training in Darwin Harbour, Australian Army soldiers had a fantastic view of the departing warships. Picture: Harry Brill.

Participants have been organised into two separate task groups, who will spend the opening days of Exercise Kakadu familiarising themselves with basic training activities before conducting more complex and high-risk activities, such as live-fire exercises involving gunnery.

Fast air has also been organised for the activity, with Australian F-35As expected to participate in the war gaming component of the activity.

The introduction of stealth aircraft poses a new challenge for some of the participating crews, who have not been exposed to the challenges relating to ‘enemy’ combat aircraft in a maritime domain.

Exercise Kakadu runs from September 8 to September 20.

French sailors on deck as they set sail. Picture: Harry Brill.

Malaysian crew members gather on deck. Picture: Harry Brill.

A heavy machine gun on board HMCS Vancouver. Picture: Harry Brill.

An aerial view of Kuru Wharf prior to the warships departing for Exercise Kakadu 2024. Picture: Department of Defence.