Sydney, March 17 (IANS): Prince Harry will join the Australian Army next month before quitting the military, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) announced on Tuesday.

During his time in Australia, Harry will spend time at the army barracks in Darwin, Perth and Sydney, ABC reported.

ADF chief Mark Binskin said joining the Australian Army would provide the prince with an "opportunity to gain greater insight into our domestic operating environment and capabilities".

We have prepared a challenging programme that will see Prince Harry deployed in urban and field training exercises as well as participate in indigenous engagement activities, he said.

Binskin said he was pleased the prince, who last year undertook a three-week trek to Antarctica to support injured veterans, would be able to see "first hand the work the ADF is doing to support wounded, injured and ill members".

Prince Harry's work in Australia will be an extension of his regular British Army duties.

"The British and Australian armies have a shared military history as well as a long and enduring association," Binskin added.

Kensington Palace also made an official announcement saying Prince Harry would leave the British Army after 10 years of service.

The prince graduated from the Royal Sandhurst Military Academy and served twice in Afghanistan, once on the ground and once flying attack helicopters.

A captain commissioned in the Household Cavalry, he currently has a desk job organising commemorative army events in London.

After his time with the Australian military, the prince will undertake an official tour of New Zealand and then spend time doing voluntary conservation work in sub-Saharan Africa.