HMAS Arunta is the second Royal Australian Navy ship to bear the name, and has historical ties to the Philippines. The first Arunta took part in the liberation of the Philippines in 1944, including pre-landing bombardments at Leyte Gulf and the Battle of Surigao Strait. In January 1945 the ship suffered a near miss from a kamikaze at Lingayen Gulf. In July 1946 the first HMAS Arunta carried Commodore John Collins to Manila for the inauguration of the Philippine Republic.

HMAS Arunta II has another link to the Philippines. Two Filipino-Australian sailors served as part of HMAS Arunta’s company.

Image: HMAS Arunta and Sirius conduct a Replenishment at Sea enroute to Subic Bay to take part in Exercise LUMBAS 2015.

RCBC Plaza, Tower 2, Level 23, 6819 Ayala Avenue Makati City 1200, Philippines

Telephone: +63 2 7757 8100 | Facsimile: +63 2 7757 8268