Australia to join Hormuz strait mission

AUSTRALIAN CONTRIBUTION TO STRAIT OF HORMUZ MISSION

WHAT?

* Australian Defence Force personnel to be placed in the International Maritime Security Construct headquarters in Bahrain.

* A P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft will be deployed to the Middle East for one month before the end of 2019.

* An Australian Frigate will be deployed from January 2020 for six months.

WHO?

* US-led mission but involve at least Australia, UK and Bahrain.

ROLE?

* Assuring the security of merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.

WHY?

* Australian government has been concerned with incidents involving shipping in the Strait of Hormuz over the past few months.

* Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the "destabilising behaviour is a threat to Australian interests in the region".