Royal Australian Navy sub visits Subic

MANILA, Philippines (Philippines News Agency) -- One of the Royal Australian Navy's six Collin-class diesel electric submarines, HMAS Sheean (SSG-77), arrived at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, Olongapo Friday morning.

 

Philippine Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the Australian submarine arrived at 9 a.m. for a port visit and will be there until Aug. 27.

 

PN delegates rendered the customary welcome ceremony on the ship and crew, headed by Royal Australian Navy Cmdr. Jason Cupples.

 

This was followed by a port briefing on health and security aboard HMAS Sheean.

 

Lincuna said the officers and crew of the Australian submarine are set to conduct subject matter expert exchanges and workshop training with PN personnel.

 

The visit of the RAN submarine and the personnel interaction with their Filipino counterparts are in accordance with the Philippines-Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, which provides a comprehensive legal framework to support defense personnel who are engaged in joint training and other related activities conducted in the Philippines or in Australia.

 

The visit is expected to strengthen the longstanding partnership of the two nations which paves way for an enhanced cooperation in capacity-building and interoperability to undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations.

 

Named for Australian seaman Edward Sheean -- the only submarine of the class to be named for an enlisted sailor -- the ship was laid down in 1994 and launched in 1999.