HMAS Toowoomba Completes South China Sea Transit Near Spratly Islands

Overview

• HMAS Toowoomba transited near the Spratly Islands on 9–10 February as part of the Australian Defence Force’s 2026 regional presence deployment.
• Commanding Officer Alicia Harrison reported foreign warships were present without confrontation and said interactions were safe and professional.
• She stated the frigate operated at all times in international waters consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
• Officials frame regional presence deployments as supporting a rules-based order and sustaining a near-continuous Australian maritime presence.
• Toowoomba and sister ship HMAS Warramunga will continue exercises and engagements across South, Southeast and East Asia during the deployment.