Featuring more than 30,000 military personnel and platforms from 19 nations, Exercise Talisman Sabre 25 is being held from 13 July to 4 August across Australia.
Held every two years, the exercise is designed to improve and strengthen interoperability and combat readiness in complex, multi-domain operations.
In preparation for the exercise, close to 35 New Zealand Army vehicles, including Light Armoured Vehicles (NZLAV) and the new Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, along with 150 personnel, boarded HMNZS Canterbury today, ready for the transit to Queensland.
Once there, the NZ Army combat team will link up with the Australian Army’s 7th Brigade for a preparatory exercise to hone their interoperability in the build up to Talisman Sabre.
They will soon be joined by the frigate HMNZS Te Kaha, three NH90 helicopters, P-8A Poseidon aircraft, mine warfare divers, military police, medics, logistics and others to support a range of intense land, air, and maritime operations alongside key partners.
In total, more than 680 NZDF personnel will deploy on the exercise.