Title: Global Defence Agencies Unite in Sydney to Combat Illicit Trade of Weapons of Mass Destruction

Introduction

Defence agencies worldwide gathered in Sydney Harbour for Exercise Pacific Protector 2024, a military drill aimed at countering the illegal trade of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). This exercise brought together countries aligned with the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) to disrupt illicit WMD-related activities in the Indo-Pacific region.

Joint Training Efforts

• The Australian Defence Force, Japan, Republic of Korea, and the US, along with the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police Force, participated in the exercise.
• Personnel boarded the HMAS Gascoyne from a rubber dingy and conducted training exercises onboard.
• 28 countries engaged in academic sessions, tabletop exercises, boarding drills, demonstrations, and other training activities.
  

  Building Networks and Capabilities
  

• ADF first assistant secretary for strategic policy Sheridan Kearnan highlighted the importance of joint training efforts.
• The exercise allowed PSI partners to enhance capacity, interoperability, and intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
• By practicing scenarios and improving decision-making processes, partners can effectively combat illicit WMD proliferation.
  

  Participating Countries
  

• The 28 countries involved in Exercise Pacific Protector 2024 are Argentina, Australia, Chile, Cook Islands, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Poland, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, Turkiye, United Arab Emirates, the UK, the US, and Vietnam.
  

  Conclusion
  

  Exercise Pacific Protector 2024 showcased the commitment of global defence agencies to combat illicit WMD trade. By fostering collaboration, sharing intelligence, and building capabilities, these countries send a strong message to proliferators that their activities are closely monitored and will be met with swift and coordinated action.

  Analysis
  

  Exercise Pacific Protector 2024 underscores the importance of international cooperation in addressing security threats posed by the illicit trade of weapons of mass destruction. By participating in joint training exercises, countries enhance their ability to respond effectively to such challenges, ultimately contributing to global peace and security. This exercise serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMDs and highlights the critical role played by defence agencies in safeguarding the world against these threats.