Defending together at Pacific Dragon

HMAS Sydney conducted integrated air and missile defence activities during Exercise Pacific Dragon in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of the Hawaiian Islands from August 6 to 15.

Pacific Dragon is a biennial multilateral ballistic missile defence and tactical data link information-sharing exercise. This year marks the third occasion that Sydney has conducted this exercise, following involvement in 2022 and 2024.

CMDR US 3rd Fleet VADM Marc Miguez said: “Pacific Dragon 2026 demonstrated the strength of our alliance and partnerships and our shared commitment to advancing integrated air and missile defence capabilities across the region.”

“Through this exercise, our forces are strengthening interoperability, improving information sharing and refining the tactics and procedures necessary to operate together in support of regional security and a free and open Indo-Pacific,” VADM Miguez said.

Sydney’s Deputy Weapons Electrical Engineer Officer LEUT Brad Kershaw said the complex scenario provided real-world integrated air missile defence training for Sydney’s crew.

“Exercise Pacific Dragon provided the opportunity for our warfare team to hone their skills and put their training to practice. By conducting these exercises, we are able to drill our tactics and procedures across complex scenarios in a multinational environment,” LEUT Kershaw said.

CO Sydney CMDR Hayden Jenkins said the exercise enabled Sydney to demonstrate its capability and enhance relationships developed during the ship’s regional presence deployment.

“Exercise Pacific Dragon 26 saw HMAS Sydney work alongside six naval ships from Chile, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Spain, and the United States of America,” CMDR Jenkins said.

“Operating with allies and partners has enhanced Sydney’s interoperability, while demonstrating the ship’s lethality and the crew’s professionalism. Exercises like Pacific Dragon ensure that Sydney’s crew can retain the skills and experience necessary to operate the ship’s high-end warfighting capabilities.

“Sydney conducted Pacific Dragon 26 immediately following RIMPAC 26 and the ship will continue to operate across the Indo-Pacific as it progresses a regional presence deployment.”

The exercise began in 2012 as a biennial, trilateral event between the US Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Navy. Pacific Dragon 26 is the eighth iteration of the exercise and has grown to include ships from the Australian, Chilean, Italian and the Spanish navies.