Replenishment by air for Navy ship

Off the coast of Queensland recently, a joint air drop tasking was conducted between a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-27J Spartan transport aircraft and the RNZN frigate HMNZS Te Kaha to trial another method of resupply to a ship at sea. This tasking was part of Exercise Talisman Sabre, the world’s largest multi-domain warfighting exercise currently underway in northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Coral Sea. 

Lieutenant Commander George Blackmore, Maritime Logistics Officer aboard Te Kaha, explained that the Maritime Air Delivery (MAD) was a planned opportunity to test another method of receiving essential items while a ship remains on tasking at sea.

“Typically, on deployment we receive resupplies of fuel, food, water and equipment by replenishment vessels, so this was a great opportunity to test the concept of an aviation resupply,” said LTCDR Blackmore. 

“Being able to remain at sea and still receive supplies allows us to maintain operational tempo and avoid having to come into port or rely solely on embarked helicopters.”

The delivery required detailed coordination between Australian Defence Force (ADF) and New Zealand Defence Force operations teams—both ashore and at sea. The Royal Australian Navy, RAAF and RNZN worked closely to ensure timing, location, and sea conditions were just right.

The load—contained in a protective suitcase – was recovered by Te Kaha’s RHIB team and brought aboard and handed over to the ship’s Logistics Supply Specialists.

Onboard the aircraft, Lieutenant Alex Dooley and Petty Officer Omarama Sutcliffe from the RNZN observed the drop firsthand. As logistics personnel embedded with the Australian Expeditionary Logistics Team Maritime, the experience gave them a front-row seat to how their Aussie counterparts deliver in complex, contested environments.

“We were there as observers to see how they operate and how we might bring elements of that capability back to New Zealand,” said LT Dooley. “The ADF’s model of having a dedicated deployable logistics team that can operate remotely, even without ships coming alongside, is impressive—and it gave us plenty of ‘lightbulb’ moments.”

Working alongside the Australians also strengthened professional networks. PO Sutcliffe noted that the exercise improved interoperability not just in systems—but in knowing which people to call. “It’s about building those connections so when we need to move something from A to B, we’ve already got someone to reach out to.”

Read more about our involvement in Exercise Talisman Sabre here.