The Royal Australian Navy’s most advanced warships are now ready for operational deployment, boosting Australia’s capacity to work with our strategic partners and maintain peace and prosperity in our region. Navy’s Hobart class Air Warfare Destroyers have reached final operational capability after…

HMAS Supply is one step closer to supporting Australian and partner nation ships after successfully completing the first Replenishment at Sea (RAS) for the Supply Class. HMAS Supply, the Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR), transferred fuel to HMAS Anzac off the east coast of Australia recently.…

In response to the COVID-19 situation in Australia a decision has been made to cancel the 2021 Australian International Airshow due to be held at Avalon, Victoria from 28 November to 5 December 2021. The 2021 Australian International Airshow (AIA21) was an opportunity for the Royal Australian…

Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have completed Operation Solania—a two-week maritime and aerial surveillance operation supporting the Pacific Island Forum Fisheries Agency’s (FFA) Operation Island Chief. Operation Island Chief is one of four FFA maritime surveillance operations held…

The Royal Australian Navy is one step closer to operating one of the most advanced, sovereign air search radar capabilities in the world, with the upgraded Air Search Radar Systems in the Navy’s Anzac Class frigates having reached Initial Operating Capability. Under the SEA 1448 Phase 4B…

After three weeks of intensive training and complex manoeuvres across three states, around 17,000 military personnel from seven nations are ready to say goodbye. Exercise Talisman Sabre (TS21), Australia’s largest bilateral defence exercise with the United States, officially concluded today at a…

On 29 July 2021, Defence received a request from Emergency Management Australia on behalf of the New South Wales (NSW) State Emergency Operations Centre, to provide Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel to support the NSW Police with their response to the COVID-19 situation in Greater Sydney.…

Rear Admiral Michael Rothwell, AM, RAN has handed command of Australian Defence Force operations in the Middle East to Air Commodore David Paddison, CSC. The transfer of authority took place during a ceremony at Australia's main logistics and support base in the region on 27 July 2021. Rear Admiral…

Over one hundred United States Spartan Paratroopers have filled the skies over Charters Towers today in a spectacular airborne display as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 (TS21).   The Paratroopers – known as the Spartan Brigade – are based in Alaska from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat…

The key focus of Exercise Talisman Sabre (TS21) is moving from land to sea, as forces from Australia, United States, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand and the United Kingdom prepare for an action-packed amphibious phase. Activities will be concentrated around the Bowen and Ingham…

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has conducted a memorial service for the families of the 10 crew members of RAAF No. 11 Squadron Catalina A24-50 who perished on a war-time mission 78 years ago. In honour of the lost aviators, a No. 11 Squadron P-8A Poseidon flypast opened the commemoration…

The 2020 Defence Strategic Update identified the need for Defence to act with greater independence in an increasingly contested strategic environment.In March 2021, the Government announced the acceleration of a $1 billion Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise (the Enterprise)…

A United States (US) Army member who arrived in Australia as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021 (TS21) on 08 July has returned a positive COVID-19 result during routine testing conducted as part of their mandatory 14-day quarantine period. The member had no contact with the Northern Territory…

Australian university students will have the opportunity to apply their fresh ideas and innovative approaches to national security challenges through a new Defence entrepreneurship program, D.Start Catalyst. Defence has partnered with not-for-profit Common Mission Project to establish the program…

Three foreign warships will berth at Garden Island, Sydney tomorrow for a contactless, COVIDSafe port visit, ahead of regional quadrilateral exercise, Pacific Vanguard.  The ships from Japan, the Republic of Korea and the United States will enter Sydney Heads in formation around 7am,…

Researchers at three Australian universities will collaborate with their American counterparts to explore the use of trusted autonomous systems for cyber security as part of the Next Generation Technologies Fund's (NGTF) Australia—US Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (AUSMURI)…

Australia continues to invest in Papua New Guinea’s maritime security capability. At the request of Papua New Guinea, Defence has agreed to arm the Papua New Guinea Defence Force’s four new Guardian-class Patrol Boats, delivered through the Pacific Maritime Security Program. This will ensure a…

Chief of the Defence ForceGeneral Angus J. Campbell, AO DSC 1. The Defence Chiefs of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) member-nations convened yesterday via video conference for the 20th FPDA Defence Chiefs’ Conference (FDCC), which was hosted by Malaysia. The FDCC, which is hosted…

The success of two international research collaborations by Australian universities has seen their projects extended by two years with funding from Defence’s Next Generation Technologies Fund (NGTF).  The Australian project teams will receive $2 million each to expand work under the Australia—…

Army soldiers from Brisbane’s 7th Combat Brigade have joined partner forces from the United States Army, British Army and Canadian Army for Joint Warfighting Assessment 2021 (JWA 21) at Fort Carson, in Colorado, United States of America. The annual command post-style exercise will take place from…

The Vice Chief of the Australian Defence Force, Vice Admiral David Johnston AO RAN, spoke for the second time with the Deputy Commander-in Chief of the Myanmar military, Vice Senior General Soe Win, on 16 June. Vice Admiral Johnston expressed Australia’s deep concern at the situation in Myanmar and…

International forces participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre, Australia’s largest bilateral training activity with the United States, will arrive into Australia throughout June and July. Participating foreign military personnel from the United States, Canada, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand…

Defence will establish a Space Division headquarters within the Royal Australian Air Force in early 2022, with personnel from all areas within Defence reflecting the importance of the Space domain. Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO, DSC, said assured access to Space was critical to…

Australia and Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) security partnership has reached an important milestone with the Lombrum Joint Initiative main works contract being awarded to Clough Australia Pty Ltd. The main works contract will support the redevelopment of Lombrum Naval Base and build the PNG Defence…

On 14 May, two US Marines who arrived in Australia as part of the 2021 Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF–D) on 9 May returned positive results for COVID-19 during initial screening at the commencement of their mandatory 14-day quarantine period. The Marines were transferred to the NT Centre for…

  The Australian Defence Force can confirm that aviation and maritime assets are responding to a distress call from a commercial fishing vessel approximately 670 nautical miles off Perth in Western Australia.Australian officials have been in contact with the Indonesian company which owns the…

The Royal Australian Air Force is conducting Exercise Black Dagger 21-1, the final activity for the students on No. 67 Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Course at Delamere Air Weapons Range. Black Dagger, conducted from 3 to 14 May 2021, is a critical component of JTAC training, providing the…

Australia and Solomon Islands’ strong and enduring security partnership has reached another milestone today as Solomon Islands received its second Guardian-class Patrol Boat under Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program. The High Commissioner for Solomon Islands, His Excellency Mr Robert…

Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Larrakia will arrive in Solomon Islands this week to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s (RSIPF) COVID-19 response.   Larrakia will conduct maritime surveillance activities in the western border region at the request of the Solomon Islands…

The Australian Defence Force will soon be equipped with world-leading Australian developed camera sensor technology featuring next generation intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. They are specifically designed for use on tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS). Recent…