The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed a P‑8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft in Japan as support for Operation Argos.
Operation Argos is the United Nations (UN) Security Council multinational efforts to enforce sanctions against North Korea. The sanctions limit North Korea’s imports of refined petroleum and crude oil and its exports of coal, all of which are facilitated by such transfers.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) assets that are periodically dedicated to Operation Argos for tasking include Royal Australian Naval ships and Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft.
Keeping the seas safe! 🇦🇺 A RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft is deployed in Japan for Operation Argos, conducting vital surveillance to combat illegal transfers and uphold UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea.
— Royal Australian Air Force (@AusAirForce) November 4, 2024
📖| https://t.co/Hykk6MWTJN pic.twitter.com/xVgo9oej7l
According to the ADF, the RAAF P-8A will operate from Kadena Air Base in Japan, conducting airborne surveillance to monitor and detect illegal ship-to-ship transfers of goods in the region.
Since 2018, Australia has deployed RAAF maritime patrol aircraft 14 times and Royal Australian Navy surface vessels 12 times under Operation Argos.
“We will continue to operate where required to enforce these sanctions, in accordance with international law, alongside partner nations,” Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones said in a statement.
Commanding Officer of No. 11 Squadron, Wing Commander Adam Saber said the Squadron had experience operating in the region, having contributed to Operation Argos a number of times since it commenced.
“The versatility of the P-8A aircraft, its interoperability with partner nations, and its exceptional reliability make it well suited for Operation Argos,” Saber said.
Australia continues to work alongside partners including Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States who all conduct operations in support of UN Security Council Resolutions.