HMAS Ballarat completes successful port visit in Cambodia
Wednesday, 22 October 2025 – 14:30 PM
HMAS Ballarat visited Sihanoukville in Cambodia from October 10–14 as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE) 2025 – Australia’s flagship regional defence engagement program.
IPE is an annual activity that aims to strengthen Australia’s partnerships across the region through military cooperation, joint training and people-to-people engagement.
This year’s IPE program has encompassed military-to-military and wider government engagements across key areas, including human capital and culture; innovation; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; maritime security and law; and English language training.
Ballarat has built on this effort in Cambodia by conducting engagements with the Governor of Sihanoukville Province, the Deputy Chief of Navy and the Commander of Ream Naval Base, as well as through English language training, boarding party, navigation and communications workshops, medical training and a friendly volleyball match.
This visit, while part of IPE, also forms part of Ballarat’s three-month Regional Presence Deployment, which began on September 1 when Ballarat sailed from her home port in Western Australia.
Regional presence deployments play a vital role in Australia’s long-term security and prosperity by protecting Australia’s interests, preserving an international rules-based order, enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies, and developing capability and interoperability.
