Australia conducts exercise Haedoli Wallaby with South Korea Navy.

According to information published by the Australian DoD on November 10, 2023, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is currently engaged in a Regional Presence Deployment across Southeast and Northeast Asia.
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Australian Anzac class frigate HMAS Toowoomba. (Picture source: RAN)

A key highlight of this deployment is the participation of HMAS Toowoomba in Exercise HAEDOLI WALLABY. This biennial bilateral warfare exercise, conducted with the Republic of Korea, serves as a demonstration of mutual commitment to security, particularly on the Korean peninsula. The exercise is instrumental in showcasing the readiness of both nations' naval forces.

Relations between South Korea and Australia

In recent years, the military relationship between Australia and South Korea has been strengthening, particularly in the realm of naval operations, as highlighted by various joint initiatives and exercises.

A prominent example of this cooperation is the Pacific Dragon 2022 exercise, a biennial multinational air and missile defense drill. This event marked Australia's first participation alongside other nations including the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Canada.

The exercise, involving Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers, focused on air and missile defense, highlighting the collaborative defense capabilities and interoperability of the participating countries.

In addition to this, South Korea has shown interest in joining the Indo-Pacific Endeavour, an Australian-led multinational military drill aimed at bolstering military collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.

This interest aligns with the shared objectives of both nations in maintaining regional stability. South Korea has also considered participation in Operation Render Safe, an Australian initiative for the removal of underwater mines in the Pacific, which plays a crucial role in ensuring maritime safety.

These activities are part of a wider bilateral defense deal between Australia and South Korea. This deal, which includes new memorandums of understanding, aims to enhance military cooperation across their armies, navies, and air forces. It allows for more complex military drills and joint training, improving the interoperability and collective response capabilities of both nations' military forces.