Defence Minister Richard Marles has defended the Hunter class anti-submarine warfare frigates being built in Adelaide by BAE Systems from criticism over their $4 billion price tag. Speaking in Darwin where the government received its first MQ-4C Triton long range, long endurance surveillance UAV (pictured), Marles was asked whether $4 billion was good value for…
The federal government will invest over $100 million to buy new lethal and non-lethal drones from a German and an Australian manufacturer. The acquisition of two small uncrewed aerial systems (SUAS) will bolster the ADF’s ability to carry out surveillance and reconnaissance and augments the ADF’s existing stock of drones. The Quantum-Systems Vector 2-in-1 and…
The first of four MQ-4C Triton remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) will soon arrive in Australia, following certification in the United States. According to a statement from Defence on Thursday, AUS 1 completed the first leg of its ‘ferrying flight’ on February 16 followed by final testing, fit-out and certification by the US Navy at…
Australia and US collaborate on ballistic missile interception Australia has supported the United States as it undertook a successful missile defence test off the coast of Hawaii. Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force assets supported the test conducted by the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the US Navy. The US test involved…
Boeing Australia is planning to have the Australian production capability to move to commercial manufacture of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) within two to three years. With funding of $400 million in funding for the production of three more prototype Ghost Bats at Boeing’s Melbourne factory announced on Friday, the company expressed…
Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite has rejected media criticism quoting military sources that defence urgently needs to add killer drones to its arsenal to give Australian forces a fighting chance on the modern battlefield. Responding on radio Thistlethwaite said: “The Australian Defence Force is investing in new drone technology and I’ve seen that firsthand.…
The federal government has announced that it will invest $220 million in munitions production at the Commonwealth-owned factories in Mulwala in New South Wales and Benalla in Victoria. According to a short statement on Friday morning, the investment will support infrastructure redevelopments at each site – ensuring they are equipped to support future production demands,…
The federal government will spend $1.5 billion to buy a fourth MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, and upgrade to the Royal Australian Air Force’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft. While Triton will be imported, Australian industry has got a look in to the spending with the government negotiating with Boeing Defence Australia…
The federal government has announced a massive new order for 20 new C-130J Hercules aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force, but worryingly failed to define Australian industry benefits in the announcement. Defence minister Richard Marles and Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy revealed the $9.8 billion in spending with Lockheed Martin but were vague about…
