Operation Argos Explained

Operation Argos
Location:	North Asia
Date:	Periodically since 2018

Operation Argos is the Australian Defence Force's contribution to the international effort to enforce United Nations' sanctions against North Korea. The operation began in 2018, and is ongoing.^[1] The Australian effort is focused on detecting ship to ship transfers of contraband goods.^[2] It involves periodic deployments of aircraft and warships.^[3]

The international effort involves Australia, Canada, France, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. It is coordinated by the United States Seventh Fleet.^[4]

Deployments

As of June 2024, there had been eleven deployments of Royal Australian Navy warships and twelve deployments of Royal Australian Air Force maritime patrol aircraft to Operation Argos.Deployments have included:

• A RAAF P-8 Poseidon to Japan in May 2018^[5]
• Two RAAF AP-3C Orions to North Asia in September 2018^[6]
• in September 2018^[7]
• A RAAF P-8 Poseidon to Kadena Air Base in December 2018^[8]
• in late 2019
• A RAAF P-8 Poseidon to Kadena Air Base in February 2020^[9]
• A RAAF P-8 Poseidon to Kadena Air Base in September 2020^[10]
• in November 2020
• A RAAF P-8 Poseidon to Kadena Air Base from late February to late March 2021^[11]
• in May 2021
• A RAAF P-8 Poseidon to Kadena Air Base from August 2021^[12]
• in October 2021^[13]
• HMAS Parramatta in mid-2022^[14]
• HMAS Arunta in October 2022^[15]
• A RAAF P-8 Poseidon to Kadena Air Base from February 2023^[16]
• in mid-2023^{[17] [18]}
• A deployment of two P-8 Poseidons to Kadena Air Base that concluded in September 2023.^[19]
• in November 2023.^[20] Several Australian naval divers were slightly injured by sonar from a Chinese warship during this deployment, when the sonar was activated close to the Australian frigate while they were removing a fishing net from its propellers.^[21]
• in April 2024.^[22]
• in mid-late 2024.^[23]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Senator the Hon Marise Payne . Defence’s continued commitment to Operation ARGOS . Media release . Department of Defence . 24 February 2021.
2. News: Kadib . Charbel . HMAS Ballarat joins Operation Argos . 17 July 2021 . Defence Connect . 18 May 2021.
3. Web site: Operation Argos – North East Asia . Department of Defence . 17 July 2021.
4. News: Robson . Seth . Fewer ships and aircraft are monitoring North Korea’s illicit trade during the pandemic . 17 July 2021 . Stars and Stripes . 15 December 2020 . en.
5. News: McLaughlin . Andrew . RAAF P-8A to monitor North Korean sanctions . 17 July 2021 . ADBR . 7 May 2018.
6. News: McLaughlin . Andrew . RAAF AP-3C Orions to enforce North Korea sanctions . 17 July 2021 . ADBR . 13 September 2018.
7. News: McGuirk . Rod . Aussies order warship to enforce North Korea sanctions . 17 July 2021 . Navy Times . Associated Press . 12 October 2018.
8. News: Gady . Franz-Stefan . Australia Deploys P-8A Poseidon to Japan to Enforce North Korea Sanctions . The Diplomat . 7 December 2018.
9. News: Defence confirms first commitment to Operation Argos for 2020 . 17 July 2021 . Defence Connect . 19 February 2020 . en.
10. News: Defence's continued commitment to Operation ARGOS - Australian Security Magazine . 17 July 2021 . Australian Security Magazine . 26 September 2020.
11. Web site: Owen . Nathan . Geisler . Joel . Mission to enforce UN sanctions . Department of Defence . en . 30 June 2021.
12. News: Australia deploys P-8A for Operation ARGOS . 16 August 2021 . Asia-Pacific Defence Reporter . 16 August 2021.
13. Web site: Australia’s continued commitment to sanctions enforcement against North Korea . Media release . Department of Defence . 1 November 2021 . 28 October 2021.
14. Web site: Herring . Andrew . HMAS Parramatta receives warm welcome home . Department of Defence . 1 August 2022 . 1 August 2022.
15. Web site: HMAS Arunta to support sanctions on North Korea . Department of Defence . 31 October 2022 . 28 October 2022.
16. Web site: Defence continues support to Operation Argos . Media release . Department of Defence . 17 February 2023 . 17 February 2023.
17. Web site: HMAS Anzac embarks on regional presence deployment . Media release . Department of Defence . 1 May 2023 . 20 April 2023.
18. Web site: HMAS Anzac enforces United Nations Security Council sanctions against North Korea . Department of Defence . 14 June 2023. 13 June 2023.
19. Web site: Defence joins international effort to enforce sanctions on North Korea . Department of Defence . 23 September 2023 . 16 September 2023.
20. Web site: HMAS Toowoomba supports sanctions on North Korea . Department of Defence . 18 November 2023 . 17 November 2023.
21. News: Greene . Andrew . Australian naval personnel injured by sonar pulses from Chinese warship . 18 November 2023 . ABC News . 17 November 2023 . en-AU.
22. News: McLaughlin . Andrew . HMAS Hobart deploys to help enforce UN North Korea sanctions . 15 June 2024 . PS News . en.
23. Web site: HMAS Sydney departs for regional presence deployment . Department of Defence . 22 June 2024.