On 14 April, a US Marine who arrived in Australia as part of the 2021 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin (MRF-D) returned a positive result for COVID-19 during initial screening at the commencement of their mandatory 14-day quarantine period. The Marine was transferred to the NT Centre for…

After assisting thousands of residents and business owners in some of the hardest hit flood-affected communities in New South Wales, Australian Defence Force’s Operation NSW FLOOD ASSIST 21-1 is winding down. The New South Wales Government requested assistance from the ADF on 22 March to help in…

The Royal Australian Air Force has replaced the term ‘airmen’ with ‘aviators’ as it enters its second century. Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO, DSC revealed this change on 31 March, at a centenary dinner which hosted past and present aviators. Air Marshal Hupfeld said that as Air…

Individuals who have experienced abuse in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) will have more time to submit a report of abuse following the extension of the Defence Reparation Scheme to 30 June 2022. The decision reflects the importance Defence places on ensuring as many individuals as possible who…

The Royal Australian Air Force today marks 100 years of service to Australia with commemorative events in Canberra and at Air Force bases across the nation and overseas. Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, AO, DSC highlighted the evolution from biplanes to an air force characterised by…

The Royal Australian Navy decommissioned Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Pirie on Friday after 15 years of service. Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN addressed the ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra Darwin and recognised the valuable contribution made by the men and women who have served…

On 27 March 2021, an Australian Defence Force (ADF) member who arrived in Darwin on a routine Defence sustainment flight from the Middle East Region returned a positive result for COVID-19 during arrival testing at the Howard Springs Quarantine Facility. The member is being treated at the Howard…

Chief of the Defence ForceGeneral Angus J. Campbell, AO DSC  The following is a joint statement of the Chiefs of Defense of Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Denmark, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the…

The crew of NUSHIP Supply, with Les Kosez from Eden Aboriginal Land Council, has officially unveiled the main passage way sign inside Navy’s newest ship. This is a lasting symbol of the effort to lead The Royal Australian Navy in Indigenous cultural integration. With approval from Eden Aboriginal…

Defence can confirm that the Ship’s company of HMAS Sydney voluntarily received their first dose of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine as a key health protection measure ahead of their deployment to North America where the prevalence of COVID-19 is high. Consistent with national advice and good…

Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Maitland is supporting regional fisheries operations and Solomon Islands’ maritime and border security efforts. As part of our security partnership, and at the request of the Solomon Islands Government, HMAS Maitland will conduct maritime surveillance support as…

Secretary of Defence Mr Greg Moriarty, together with a large contingent of Defence senior leaders, launched the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Enterprise and opened the OPV System Program Office at the Henderson maritime precinct. The OPV Enterprise brings together Commonwealth and…

The Loyal Wingman took to the skies today in a successful first flight test - a major step in a significant innovation project for Defence, the Royal Australian Air Force and Boeing Defence Australia. The project is a pathfinder for the integration of autonomous systems and artificial intelligence…

Today the Australian Army celebrates its 120th birthday and soldiers around the nation and overseas will reflect on Army’s past and future. Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO, said the birthday celebrations marked Army’s service to the Nation in war and peace,…

A commemorative service at the Navy Memorial, Anzac Parade Canberra has marked the Royal Australian Navy’s 120th birthday. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan AO, RAN said Navy can draw strength and honour from humble beginnings 120 years ago. “We are far from the fledgling naval force…

Royal Australian Navy submarine HMAS Sheean will visit Beauty Point in northern Tasmania later this week, the first in a series of port visits to the state. Navy Commander of Submarines, Captain Doug Theobald CSC RAN, said the Collins Class submarine would visit four Tasmanian ports in coming…

Representatives from the United States Department of Defense have this week visited the Australian-owned munitions production factories in Mulwala in NSW, and Benalla in VIC. Head Land Systems, Major General Andrew Bottrell said senior Defence representatives from the Australian Army and the…

The incoming 2023 class of Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) trainee officers has been welcomed to the Academy today at the annual Chief of Defence Force (CDF) Parade. The CDF Parade marks the culmination of the initial military training period for the 353 first year trainee officers and…

Forces from Australia, the United States and Japan have successfully completed the annual trilateral Exercise Cope North. The exercise was held at the United States’ Andersen Air Force Base in Guam from 3 to 19 February 2021. Commander of the Australian Task Group, Group Captain Nathan Christie…

Australians can be assured that Defence’s data is safe. The safeguarding of Defence’s data is of the utmost priority for my Department. Defence has comprehensive security controls in place at the Global Switch Ultimo data centre to protect against compromise by a foreign power or other malicious…

Mr Scott Dewar has served the Department of Defence in various senior leadership roles since 2014, including his current role as the Director of the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation. Mr Dewar served as Acting Chief of Staff to the Defence Minister, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, CSC…

Findings from a workshop on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Defence in 2019 have been released to support science and technical considerations for the potential development of Defence policy, doctrine, research and project management.        …

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has deployed two aircraft and approximately 170 personnel to Guam to enhance trilateral interoperability with the United States and Japan as part of Exercise Cope North 21. Exercise Cope North is a long-standing combined military exercise which aims to improve…

In April 2018, following an open tender process, Phoenix International Australia was selected to deliver a deployable submarine rescue system for use with both the Collins and Attack class submarine fleets. Following a series of delays in 2019 and 2020, the Department of Defence initiated an…

Statement As part of Defence’s robust screening processes for foreign military arrivals, a positive COVID-19 result has been returned for a foreign military official and the partner of another official who recently arrived in Darwin while in mandatory quarantine. The two individuals were part of…

The Australian Defence College will resume limited international training for foreign military partners in 2021, with the first officials arriving in Australia in early January. This training program is highly valued and reinforces Australia’s reputation across the region as the security partner of…

The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has concluded its contribution to the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) in the Middle East Region. Personnel from the Australian contingent joined coalition partners in a formal flag lowering ceremony at the IMSC Headquarters in Bahrain on 28…

The Australian War College academic program has concluded for 2020 with graduations being held this week for the College’s two year-long academic programs – the Australian Command and Staff Course (ACSC) and the Defence Strategic Studies Course (DSSC).This year, 174 Australian Defence Force,…

Chief of Air Force has announced the signing of the Air Cooperation Framework with the Royal Air Force formalising the two services’ long standing collaboration.The Framework provides a structure aligned to the over-arching Australia-UK Military Cooperation Framework and is based on shared…

Defence is looking for an Australian industry partner to deliver a new, innovative approach to the sustainment of Navy’s fleet, which will boost defence industry in the regions through the establishment of Regional Maintenance Centres.A tender has opened for a Regional Maintenance Provider for…