All releases

New Research To Protect Defence Aircraft

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced a new research agreement with industry to explore innovative technologies for protecting Australian Defence Force aircraft against missile threats.  Minister Pyne said this five-year agreement with Chemring Australia…

5AA Adelaide Breakfast Radio Interview

JOURNALIST: An extra layer of tension to two tribes this morning, of course with the spectre of this cold war behind us, Australia and New Zealand of course, not North Korea like you may well have expected yesterday, scenes in Parliament, just extraordinary. To explain it all, Chris Pyne and…

Blast Testing Done And Dusted

A final series of blast tests have been completed on the two shortlisted contenders vying to become the Australian Defence Force’s new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle. To assess their survivability, Rheinmetall’s Boxer and BAE Systems Australia’s AMV-35, were exposed to simulated mine blasts at…

Testing Complete For New Army Vehicles

Testing to help select the Army’s new Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle has finished on schedule. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, congratulated the two shortlisted contenders, Rheinmetall and BAE Systems Australia, for their involvement in the Risk Mitigation Activity (RMA…

Future Submarine Day arrives in Tasmania

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today welcomed the latest of the Future Submarine Program Industry Days to Hobart, Tasmania. The $50 billion investment in the program will see Australia’s Future Submarines built in Australia, by Australians. The Australian build is…

$145 Million For Hornet Sustainment

Defence’s maintenance contract with Boeing Defence Australia for the F/A-18A/B Classic Hornet aircraft fleet has been extended to include ongoing engineering, logistics and maintenance sustainment support. Valued at approximately $145 million, this expanded commercial arrangement will see…

Pacific Patrol Boat Milestone

Another milestone has been reached in Australia’s continuous naval shipbuilding program with a ceremonial keel laying for the first new Pacific Patrol Boat. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today attended the event at Austal’s dedicated Pacific Patrol Boat construction…

ASC Opens Upgraded Facilities in Western Australia

Upgraded facilities at ASC in Henderson, Western Australia will increase the efficiency of the maintenance and sustainment of Australia’s submarine fleet, increasing the number of days that submarines are available for use by the Royal Australian Navy. The $13 million upgrade enables the co-…

New level of Australia-United Kingdom Defence Industry Partnership

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, and United Kingdom Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Sir Michael Fallon, today met to strengthen defence materiel and industry cooperation between the two nations. At the meeting, the two Ministers agreed to establish an historic…

Keynote Address: Australian Business Defence Industry Sovereignty Forum

It’s a pleasure to be able to give the keynote address at the Australian Business Defence Industry’s Sovereign Industry Capabilities seminar today.  It gives me an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of the efforts of ABDI as an advocate for Australia’s defence industry and capability.…

Developing A Defence Export Strategy

Speech to ASPI: Developing a Defence Export Strategy Thank you very much for that introduction and thank you to Lurssen and ASPI for arranging this event today. Between the two – our nation’s leading think-tank on strategic issues and a global heavyweight in the field of naval shipbuilding – we…

Brisbane Company Ferra Engineering Wins Export Success For Their Submarine Radar

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced another Australian export success with Brisbane firm, Ferra Engineering signing a contract with Thales Germany, creating up to 25 Australian jobs. Minister Pyne congratulated Ferra Engineering on being contracted for the…