Media releases

Strengthening Defence's space edge

For the first time, the Australian Defence Force will establish a purpose-built space workforce.  The 2024 Defence Workforce Plan highlighted the need to recruit and retain highly‑specialised personnel for emerging capabilities, including space.  To meet the demands of the evolving space…

Investiture of the Victoria Cross for Private Richard Norden

The Victoria Cross for Australia has been formally presented to the family of the late Private Richard Norden, in recognition for his bravery and dedication to service during the Vietnam War. Private Norden’s gallantry during the Battle of Fire Support Base Coral in Vietnam in 1968 has never been…

Albanese Government enhances national security with major investment in air defence and aerial strike

The Albanese Government is investing up to $2.12 billion in additional stocks of advanced medium-range missiles to strengthen the Australian Defence Force’s air defence and aerial strike capability.  These AIM-120D-3 and AIM-120C-8 missiles can precisely strike targets at extended range,…

Public consultation opens for the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulations

The Albanese Government is taking an important step as part of Australia’s acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.  Today, public consultation has opened on the regulatory framework that will underpin Australia’s Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator.  This is…

Navy introduces new capability with commissioning of HMAS Arafura

Today marks Today marks a major milestone of the Australian Government’s implementation of the Surface Fleet Review with the commissioning of HMAS Arafura into the Royal Australian Navy fleet.  HMAS Arafura is the first Arafura class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) of the Navy’s surface…

Albanese Government support for Austal's United States expansion

The Albanese Government welcomes Export Finance Australia’s credit approved loan facility of up to US$150 million to shipbuilder Austal to help it expand its shipyard in Alabama in the United States.  Austal is an Australian success story, and support from Export Finance Australia will help it…

Albanese Government supporting Pacific partners through investment in regional maritime security

The Albanese Government is delivering on its commitment to double funding for the aerial surveillance component of the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP). The PMSP aerial surveillance program supports maritime security for our Pacific partners through the provision of fixed-…

Australia deepens collaboration with NATO and takes further action to hold Russia to account

The Albanese Government is deepening Australia’s cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and taking further action to support Ukraine and hold Russia to account for its illegal and immoral war. During the NATO Leaders’ Summit in The Hague, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister…

Travel to the United Kingdom and The Netherlands

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, will travel to the United Kingdom and The Netherlands this week. In London, the Deputy Prime Minister will meet Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon John Healey, to discuss our defence partnership and key strategic…

RAAF Base Richmond to celebrate 100 years with airshow

The Albanese Government is proud to announce that the RAAF Base Richmond will celebrate its 100th anniversary with the RAAF Richmond Airshow at the base this September.  The local community and attendees will have the chance to experience the Air Force flying shows and ground exhibits…

Key milestone in development of Australian made combat drone

The Australian made and designed autonomous aircraft, MQ-28A Ghost Bat, has achieved a major capability milestone, backed by the Albanese Government’s $1 billion investment in developing this next generation combat drone. The Ghost Bat is the first military combat aircraft to be designed,…

Australia signs long-range precision strike missile agreement with the United States

The Albanese Government has taken the next important step towards increasing the Australian Defence Force’s long-range strike capabilities and supporting domestic defence industry, with the establishment of a new cooperative program with the United States for the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).…