Australia’s Pacific support vessel, Australian defence vessel Reliant, will arrive in Samoa next Thursday as part of its inaugural deployment to the region.

According to a media release issued by the Australian High Commission in Apia on Thursday, the Reliant is spending several months visiting seven Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste during the Pacific's high risk weather season.

It will provide maritime surveillance support and deliver essential cargo, including humanitarian supplies. 

"It will have a sustained presence in the Pacific to meet the needs of Timor-Leste and our Pacific family, including the ability to respond quickly in times of crisis," reads the A.H.C. statement. 

At 102 metres long, the vessel has a large cargo deck, heavy duty crane, and can produce thousands of litres of fresh water per day to provide targeted and effective support to affected communities in the region.

The ship will also enhance regional search and rescue, maritime surveillance, transport of essential cargo, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities, while also providing support to training, regional engagement and capacity building activities.

Australia's High Commissioner to Samoa, Emily Luck, described the visit of the vessel as timely especially with the region prone to natural disasters.

“ADV Reliant’s sustained presence in the Pacific will enhance Australia’s ability to provide timely support to natural disasters, especially as we respond together to a changing climate," Ms. Luck said.

"I look forward to Reliant’s arrival in Samoa, a great opportunity to see it’s wide-ranging capabilities."

The HMAS Brisbane will also be visiting Samoa and will arrive next Monday to refuel on its way to its next port, added the media release issued by the A.H.C.

The HMAS Brisbane is Royal Australian Navy’s guided missile destroyer, which was recently part of a joint military exercise with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy and the Hawaii Air National Guard from 28 November to 9 December 2022. 

A statement issued by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on 30 November 2022 said the military exercise, Pacific Edge, "will provide effective and realistic training, tailored to equip warfighters with skills to confront advanced challenges throughout the Indo-Pacific Region".

"This is the second iteration of Pacific Edge and will include a variety of fourth and fifth generation aircraft integrating with the Royal Australian Navy’s guided missile destroyer, the HMAS Brisbane, increasing interoperability and integration across multiple domains."

The military exercise was run out of the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.