Mine Warfare, Clearance Diving, Hydrographic, Meteorological, Oceanographic and Patrol Force (MHPFOR) is made up of the following groups:
- Australian Mine Warfare & Clearance Diving Group
- Hydrographic Meteorological & Oceanographic Group
- Australian Navy Patrol Boat Group
- Offshore Patrol Vessel Group.
Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Group
Australia is dependent on maritime trade, and mining an Australian port or its approaches would effectively close that port to shipping. The defence of Australia requires an effective and balanced mine warfare force incorporating a combination of mine hunting, minesweeping and clearance diving. The Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Group (MCDGRP) group is responsible for the management, delivery and reporting of mine warfare and clearance dive capability.
Clearance divers are the Australian Defence Forces’ specialist divers. Their tasks include specialist expeditionary (clandestine and overt) and domestic diving missions to depths of 54 metres, surface and underwater demolitions, and disarming and disposal of conventional explosive ordnance and improvised explosive devices.
Hydrographic Meteorological & Oceanographic Group
This group is responsible for delivering seaworthy materiel to meet statutory obligations for delivery of hydrographic and meteorological capability to Navy, Defence and Government.
Australian Navy Patrol Boat Group
The group is responsible for managing the capability, seaworthiness, operational safety of the Patrol Boat Fleet. It manages the currently 17 active Armidale, Cape, and Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats. The group’s headquarters is located at HMAS Coonawarra in the city of Darwin, with a class logistics support office at HMAS Cairns.
Offshore Patrol Vessel Group
The group manages Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) capabilities to provide an effective and visible force in Australia’s approaches, accomplishing the full spectrum of maritime security operations. It is charged with the coordination and assurance of capabilities for the Arafura Class OPV.