Drug-busting frigate crew returns home

Australian Navy officers who have seized more than 1.3 tonnes of illegal narcotics in the Middle East are returning home after a nine-month deployment.

The HMAS Arunta and its 191 crew are bound for Australian shores after completing the longest Middle Eastern deployment by a Navy vessel since the first Gulf War.

"We have conducted a number of port visits but most importantly we have impacted terrorist funding lines through the interception and disposal of illegal drugs on three occasions," Commander Cameron Steil said.

"This crew has earned a tenacious reputation among the combined maritime forces for their commitment to searching for and discovering illegal cargo."

The ship seized 800kg of hashish in March, 250kg of heroin in May and another 260kg of heroin in June.

The Arunta clocked up more than 33,000 nautical miles during its deployment - roughly equivalent to five laps around Australia - and will be handing over responsibility to the HMAS Newcastle.