TORONTO – Australia has dispatched at least three of its warships to intercept a Russian flotilla that is bound for the G20 summit in Brisbane, according to a report.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott described the heavily armed convoy of Russian ships steaming towards the country as part of “freedom of navigation,” according to the Australia News Network.
However, a government source told the Aussie news network a third Australian warship was dispatched to intercept the flotilla ahead of this weekend’s G20 summit.
At least two of the ships that have been dispatched are reportedly carrying Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters.
The Russian flotilla is expected to reach international waters off the coast of the G20 venue on Saturday, the news network reported.
World leaders are currently en route to Brisbane for the weekend summit.
Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper landed in New Zealand overnight for his first official visit to the country.
Harper will spend the day in Auckland before heading to Brisbane.
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