Canadian warship joins multinational exercise off Australia
A Canadian warship has arrived off the coast of Australia to conduct war games with the host nation, alongside forces from the United States and other Pacific Rim countries.
HMCS Calgary is joining the biennial Exercise Talisman Sabre, which brings more than 17,000 military personnel from several partner countries to the Coral Sea off Australia's northeast coast.
The ship’s arrival was no doubt overshadowed by the appearance of two uninvited – though not wholly unexpected – guests in the region.
Australia's defence minister confirmed in a news conference Saturday that a second Chinese surveillance vessel had arrived off the Australian coast, presumably to monitor the large-scale exercise.
"We do now have a second vessel and obviously we expect that the Chinese would conduct themselves within the rules of international law," said Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton.
"It’s also a reminder to the reality now in the Indo-Pacific that the Chinese have invested into all of their assets," Dutton added. "They have a production line of submarines and frigates like we’ve not seen since world-war time and we need to be very conscious of that."
The defence minister said the Australians anticipated that the Chinese navy would deploy one intelligence-gathering ship to the exercise this year, as it had in 2017 and 2019.
"We expected the deployment of the vessel," Dutton told reporters. "We’re surprised that there are two vessels but obviously the Chinese have made a decision to have a greater presence."
Talisman Sabre is scheduled to run until mid-August but the main thrust of the exercise is underway until July 31.
Australian and U.S. forces account for the bulk of the personnel attending the land, air and sea exercises, with forces from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and the United Kingdom also in attendance.
Delegations from France, Germany, India and Indonesia are participating as observers.
HMCS Calgary’s participation in the exercise comes at the tail end of the vessel’s deployment on Operation Projection.
The British Columbia-based warship is set to return to Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt in early September.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.