The federal government has committed an extra $11.1 billion over the next decade in its announcement on the future surface combatant fleet, in response to an independent analysis finding “in excess of $25 billion in unfunded promises” and following last year’s Defence Strategic Review. There will now be six Hunter Class Frigates, down from nine,…
NIOA Group CEO Robert Nioa has called for swift action to boost Australia’s defence industry so it could play a part in a future Indo-Pacific allied military force. Speaking to the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Queensland Nioa said decisive action was needed due to a ‘palpable’ escalation of geopolitical tensions. Nioa recently inked an…
Austal receives $1.3bn order from US Navy Shipbuilder Austal‘s US arm has received a $1.28 billion ‘undefinitised’ contract award (UCA) for the final design and construction of three Expeditionary Medical Ships (EMS) from the United States Navy. The EMS is based on Austal’s proven Expeditionary Fast Transport ship (EPF) platform and will be manufactured in…
US Congress has reportedly approved the transfer of three Virginia-class submarines – two existing vessels and one new vessel – to Australia, paving the way for nuclear powered submarines to join the RAN fleet. Both houses have now passed the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) which authorises the transfer which will see Virginia submarines…
The federal government has signed contracts with Hanwha Defense Australia for 129 locally built Redback infantry fighting vehicles, to be built in Geelong for the Australian Army. Hanwha was announced as the winning bidder for the LAND 400 Phase 3 program in July, ahead of Rheinmetall’s KF-41 Lynx vehicle. “This is an important project for…
The AUKUS partners Australia the United States and the United Kingdom have entered into an agreement to advance Australia’s defence space capabilities – but there is no immediate role for local industry in the project. At the second AUKUS Defence Ministers’ Meeting in California, ministers discussed accelerating capabilities that provide all three partners with timely…
The federal government has introduced the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023, which will establish a new, independent regulator to ensure Australia applies the highest standards of nuclear safety across its nuclear-powered submarine enterprise and can continue to implement AUKUS without delay. This is the second legislative package introduced to support implementation of the…
The Australian Signals Directorate’s (ASD) Annual Cyber Threat Report for 2022-23 lays bare Australia’s cyber threat landscape. Reflecting the global strategic context, this year’s report highlights that Australian governments, critical infrastructure, businesses and households continue to be the target of malicious state and non-state cyber actors. Key findings from the report include: ASD received over…
By Peter Roberts Mitsubishi Electric has made history in a new deal with Australia’s Department of Defence, becoming the first Japanese company to sign a defence contract with a foreign government. Not only will Australia access Japanese defence technologies, but the deal opens the way for Australian technologies to be adopted in Japan. The federal…
The federal government will spend more than $1.7 billion in acquiring new, long-range strike missiles and other guided weapons, today announcing the purchase of three types of missiles. However these are to be imported with local manufacture for only one system to be considered as an ‘option’. In the case of the smallest of the…
