Almost 300 Royal Australian Navy (RAN) members have completed officer training in 2021 – the largest cohort of new officers to graduate in a single year since the 1950’s. This week, 125 RAN members graduated from the New Entry Officers’ Course (NEOC) at the Royal Australian Naval College in Jervis…

The Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) have progressed delivery of the Vanuatu Government National Emergency Radio Network in time for the upcoming high risk weather season. The emergency network connects police posts across Vanuatu’s six provinces, enabling inter-island…

Two Royal Australian Navy (RAN) vessels have finished nine days of maritime warfare training with four nations during ANNUALEX 2021. HMA Ships Brisbane and Warramunga joined the United States Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Canadian Navy and German Navy in the Philippine Sea to…

Defence is aware of social media posts claiming the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is forcibly vaccinating or detaining members of the Australian community.  These claims are emphatically false. Defence personnel currently supporting Northern Territory Government authorities cannot forcibly…

The Australian Army has completed another successful round of partnered training with the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) during Exercise Coral Warrior in Fiji. Commander 1st Division Major General Jake Ellwood said the annual, bi-lateral training activity aims to enhance skills in military…

Troops from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) have successfully concluded Exercise Kumul Exchange at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville.The exercise saw a contingent of PNGDF soldiers integrated within the 3rd Brigades infantry, combat engineer and combat…

The Royal Australian Navy’s last Auxiliary Oiler supply ship, HMAS Sirius has been farewelled by Navy’s east-coast based Fleet and dignitaries ahead of its decommissioning in Western Australia in December. New South Wales Governor General Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC and…

Almost 450 men and women who embarked on HMAS Canberra earlier this year have returned to Fleet Base East, Sydney today following a near five month deployment. The Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) left Sydney in July and took part in Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 21 off Queensland,…

Ships and aircraft from the Royal Australian Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) participated in Exercise NICHI GOU TRIDENT off the coast of Japan from 10-12 November 2021. The bilateral exercise has been a regular fixture in each nation’s schedule since 2009. Anzac class…

Today on Remembrance Day, Defence joins Australians across the nation to acknowledge, honour and remember the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our country and those who have given their life in service to our nation on military and peacekeeping operations. Remembrance Day 2021 marks…

The Royal Australian Navy has successfully completed its annual submarine search and rescue exercise off the coast of Western Australia, along with international participants from Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. Navy’s submarine abandonment, escape and rescue system has been certified for another…

Two United States Air Force (USAF) B-1B Lancer bombers have swept over the Top End for training with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). After travelling over six thousand kilometres from Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, the B-1B crews flew emergency diversion familiarisation training at RAAF…

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has assisted regional partners in detecting and deterring illegal fishing activity in the Pacific during the latest iteration of Operation Solania. The Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Wollongong worked with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force’s (PNGDF)…

The world-class development of Australia’s Boeing Loyal Wingman program recently achieved several major milestones, with two aircraft successfully completing flight missions at the Woomera Range Complex, South Australia. This follows the Loyal Wingman’s inaugural flight on 27 February 2021, laying…

The Department of Defence is seeking input from industry to support the ongoing management and operation of the Captain Cook graving dock at the Garden Island Defence Precinct in Sydney. The Captain Cook graving dock is a key strategic national asset which supports naval sustainment operations…

The Department of Defence has signed a contract with Telstra to continue the delivery of critical network and telecommunications services in support of Defence operations. The contract, valued at over $1 billion, will extend and refresh the Terrestrial Communications Services Contract with Telstra…

Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Warramunga has joined international efforts to enforce United Nations Security Council sanctions on North Korea. This is the sixth time Australia has deployed a warship on Operation Argos, Australia’s commitment to the enforcement of these sanctions, since it…

Defence is set to commence engagement with industry in relation to the delivery of 991 new contemporary live-in accommodation units at Randwick Barracks in Sydney. A Defence spokesperson said the program of work will provide live-in accommodation that is aligned to an integrated estate strategy and…

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) have completed a coordinated maritime patrol to enhance security along our shared maritime border as part of AUSINDO CORPAT 2021. The five-day patrol conducted by Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Ararat and TNI-AL vessels KRI Kerapu…

Papua New Guinea has received the third of four Guardian-class Patrol Boats delivered through the Pacific Maritime Security Program; at a handover ceremony in Henderson, Western Australia. HMPNGS Francis Agwi will soon join HMPNGS Ted Diro and HMPNGS Rochus Lokinap in protecting Papua New Guinea’s…

The 2021 Marine Rotational Force-Darwin (MRF-D) has departed from the Northern Territory, bringing to a close the tenth rotation of U.S. Marines through Australia’s Top End. This year’s rotation coincided with the 70th anniversary of the Australia, New Zealand, and United States (ANZUS) treaty and…

The Royal Australian Navy has lifted temporary restrictions on MH-60R flying operations. A suspension was enacted as a precaution after an MH-60R helicopter attached to HMAS Brisbane ditched in the Philippine Sea on 13 October during a routine flight. “Initial evidence indicates that the incident…

The Pilbara Regiment celebrated an event of great historical significance following the consecration and presentation of Colours yesterday. The event acknowledged the dedication of members past and present, and the unique role the Pilbara Regiment performs in the detection of activities in the…

Defence continues to support Australian Government efforts to build a robust, resilient and internationally competitive defence industry. Through significant investment in industry grant programs, Defence seeks to contribute to the development of a strong defence industrial base. Through the…

Three crewmembers of a Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter are safe after ditching their helicopter in the Philippine Sea during a routine flight overnight. The aircraft was operating from HMAS Brisbane as part of a Regional Presence Deployment with HMAS Warramunga, when the crew…

Army has successfully completed two Boxer turret conversion courses in Queensland, qualifying 35 armoured Cavalry crew on new digital sensors, next generation thermal sights and mission systems in the Boxer’s turret. Under the LAND 400 Phase 2 project, the courses were designed to convert the 2nd/…

Australia’s commitment to regional security is on display during the Golden Jubilee (50th anniversary) of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).    This week Australia joins FPDA nations, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Kingdom and New Zealand for Exercise BERSAMA GOLD 21 (BG21).…

This week sees the release of three Government reports on Defence and Veteran suicide: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) Serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members who have served since 1985: suicide monitoring 2001 to 2019  Interim National Commissioner for…

Joint media release:  German Federal Ministry of Defence German Navy Ship FGS Bayern has arrived in Fremantle, Western Australia for a week-long visit during a seven-month deployment to the Indo-Pacific region. During the deployment, Bayern will participate in joint exercises with various…

The Head of Air Force Capability, Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts, and the Director General Air Defence and Space, Air Commodore Philip Gordon, today announced the next phase of the Australian M2 satellite mission, a collaboration between the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra Space and…