Media releases

Summit held to support Collins Class Sustainment

A Project of Concern Summit was held in Canberra today to support the sustainment of Australia’s Collins class submarines. Minister for Finance, Senator Katy Gallagher, and Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, convened the Summit, which was attended by government and industry representatives…

First test in Australia of advanced strike missile being co-developed with United States

The Albanese Government has delivered on its commitment to rapidly boost the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) long-range strike capability with the test firing of a Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in Australia for the first time today. PrSM is a next generation long-range missile with a maximum…

Albanese Government backs Australian defence industry and local jobs with $170 million grant program

The Albanese Government has awarded a further 40 grants to support Australian businesses and back Australian jobs. These latest grants, totalling over $17.3 million, will deliver priority defence capabilities, support local manufacturing and strengthen Australia’s sovereign defence industry.…

15th Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will today welcome the UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs the Rt Hon David Lammy MP and Secretary of State for Defence the Rt Hon John Healey MP to Sydney…

Accelerating the acquisition of drone and counter drone technology

The Albanese Government is accelerating the acquisition of cutting-edge drone and counter-drone technologies for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to keep Australian’s safe and protect our military assets. Just four months after the announcement of Project LAND 156, the Albanese Government has…

M1A1 Abrams tanks delivered to Ukraine

The Albanese Government continues its steadfast support for Ukraine, with the transfer of the first tranche of Australian-gifted M1A1 Abrams tanks to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. In response to a request from the Government of Ukraine, Australia is providing 49 Abrams tanks to help bolster its…

Recognising Operational Service in the Indo-Pacific

The ship’s company of HMAS Stuart has today been recognised, with approximately 150 personnel among the first in the nation to receive the Australian Operational Service Medal (AOSM) – Indo-Pacific, during a ceremony at Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia.  This is the Australian Defence…

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 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 fleet. …