Australia will deploy the maritime patrol aircraft to Japan to conduct maritime surveillance to prevent sanctions evasions.
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is dispatching one of its Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa this week in support of the international effort to enforce United Nations Security Council resolutions on North Korea.
Australian Defense Minister Christopher Pyne said in a November 30 announcement that the deployment was part of Australia’s support of the international effort to enforce UN sanctions on North Korean vessels and stop their illegal activities in the East China Sea.
“This is part of Australia’s commitment to deter and disrupt illicit trade and sanctions evasion activities by North Korea and its associated networks,” Pyne said. “This deployment follows on from Defense’s previous contribution of a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in April, and two AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft in September this year.
