Australian Navy ships join search for missing Indonesian submarine

Two Australian warships will join the search for a missing Indonesian submarine that disappeared near Bali with 53 people on board.

HMAS Ballarat and HMAS Sirius have both been diverted from separate regional deployments, after Indonesia formally accepted Australia’s offer to assist with the search effort.

Defence said HMAS Ballarat was equipped with sonar capabilities and a MH-60R helicopter, and was expected to reach the search area today.

HMAS Sirius is off the coast of Brunei and is expected to reach the search area from about Tuesday.

Yesterday, Foreign Minister Marise Payne said Australia would provide whatever support it could to Indonesia.

Defence said it remained in close contact with Indonesia in case it could provide further help…