Australia ready for Hormuz mission if asked, new defense chief says

• Australian defense chief says navy prepared for potential multinational deployment.
• Government approval and formal request still required before any action.

Australia’s newly appointed defense chief said the country’s naval forces are prepared to support any international effort aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, though any deployment would depend on a formal request and government approval.

Defense Chief Mark Hammond said on Monday that the Royal Australian Navy remains in a high state of readiness for a potential multinational maritime mission in the region.

He stressed, however, that no decision has been made to deploy forces and no official request has yet been received.

‘Navy is ready,’ but decision rests with government

“The navy is ready as it ever has been,” Hammond said, adding that participation in any international operation would be considered only if the Australian government is formally approached.

He noted that such deployments follow a structured approval process, with operational readiness separate from political authorization.

“There’s been no such request,” he said, underscoring that Canberra has not yet been asked to contribute to any planned mission.

Strategic tensions in focus

The statement comes amid heightened international concern over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route for global energy supplies.

Any multinational naval initiative in the area would likely involve coordination among allied states and depend on diplomatic consensus before proceeding.