{"id":555224,"date":"2026-03-21T15:57:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-21T15:57:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/555224\/"},"modified":"2026-03-21T15:57:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-21T15:57:12","slug":"warships-parade-through-sydney-harbour-in-a-spectacular-display-of-australias-naval-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/555224\/","title":{"rendered":"Warships parade through Sydney Harbour in a spectacular display of Australia’s naval power"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ZAK WHEELER, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 06:22 EDT, 21 March 2026 | Updated: 06:23 EDT, 21 March 2026 <\/p>\n

Warships have sailed through Sydney<\/a> Harbour to display the strength of Australia and its allies.<\/p>\n

The Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review saw 30 ships from 19 countries assemble in a display of ‘sea power’ on Saturday.<\/p>\n

The maritime event marked 125 years since the foundation of the Royal Australian Navy.<\/p>\n

A fleet review is a tradition where a reviewing officer inspects the amassed ships \u2013 typically when the vessels have been mobilised for war.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since the 19th century, the event has been held for commemorative events and celebrations, including inviting other national navies to participate by sending vessels.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Saturday, warships from allied countries, including Japan<\/a>, the United States and Papua New Guinea, sailed into the harbour between 6am and midday.<\/p>\n

The majority of ships were berthed or anchored, but one column proceeded past HMAS Leeuwin towards Sydney Harbour Bridge.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Defence Minister Richard Marles was in attendance, boarding\u00a0HMAS Canberra.<\/p>\n

\"Australian <\/p>\n

Australian and allied warships entered Sydney Harbour on Saturday for the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review, which marks 125 years of the Royal Australian Navy<\/p>\n

\"Sailors <\/p>\n

Sailors stand aboard HMAS Canberra, facing the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge<\/p>\n

\"Defence <\/p>\n

Defence Minister Richard Marles joined crews aboard HMAS Canberra<\/p>\n

‘It’s a really exciting day to be here on Sydney Harbour,’ Marles said in a video on social media.<\/p>\n

‘This is the biggest fleet review we’ve had here in more than a decade.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘All of this is part of Exercise Kakadu, which is our largest maritime exercise that we do every two years and in fact, when we do it, it’s the biggest maritime exercise in the southern hemisphere.’<\/p>\n

NSW<\/a>\u00a0Police deployed 245 officers attached to multiple commands and specialist units across Sydney to monitor public safety during the event.<\/p>\n

Several police vessels accompanied the procession to ensure skippers and spectators remained safe among the larger navy ships.<\/p>\n

Superintendent Rohan Cramsie, who was commander of the operation, praised the efforts of staff and the behaviour of crowds.<\/p>\n

‘I am incredibly happy with the respect and support spectators have shown throughout this event for our Royal Australian Navy service members as they celebrate this important milestone,’ he said.<\/p>\n

‘With multiple crowds and vessels at vantage points across the harbour, police deployed a significant number of resources for public safety.<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The US Navy’s USS Fitzgerald was one of the allied vessels to sail into Sydney Harbour<\/p>\n

\"Pictured,\u00a0HMAS <\/p>\n

Pictured,\u00a0HMAS Canberra leads Japan’s Kumano and other vessels into Sydney Harbour\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘However, both community members on the land and water were well behaved throughout the celebration.’<\/p>\n

Director-General of the Navy 125 Program,\u00a0Captain Tony Raeside, also celebrated the success of the event.<\/p>\n

‘The support and cooperation of NSW Police and all NSW Government agencies was critical for the success of the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review,’ he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘We thank all of the personnel who worked for the safety and security of this memorable event.’<\/p>\n

The warships have docked in the harbour overnight and are scheduled to set sail on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Marine exclusion zones will remain in place throughout the evening.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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