Media releases

RAAF Air Show heads west in 2027

For the first time in 15 years, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Air Show will return to the skies above Perth in 2027. The free air show, on Sunday, 12 September, 2027 will be a spectacular aviation experience showcasing Australian Defence Force aircraft, military capabilities and Defence…

Offshore Patrol Vessels to be homeported in Cairns: supporting jobs and industry in North Queensland

At least two Royal Australian Navy Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) will be homeported at HMAS Cairns, strengthening defence industry and regional security in Northern Australia. The first, HMAS Arafura, is scheduled to be homeported in Cairns in early 2027. This decision builds on the…

Australia to host South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting in 2027

Australia will host the 12th South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting (SPDMM) in 2027, after members endorsed Australia’s nomination at this year's meeting in Fiji. SPDMM is the region's premier defence ministerial forum, bringing together Pacific partners to strengthen defence cooperation and…

Australia and Ukraine sign bilateral security agreement

Today Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the Australia–Ukraine Bilateral Security Agreement. The Agreement provides a framework for defence and security cooperation and affirms Australia’s enduring commitment to Ukraine.After more than four…

New Defence Training Hub set to strengthen Pacific Security Cooperation

The Albanese Government has launched a new online platform today to strengthen defence cooperation, build capability and make training opportunities more accessible for the Pacific’s defence and security personnel. Developed through discussions at the previous South Pacific Defence Ministers'…

Major milestones for Australia's air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities

The Albanese Government is delivering a major uplift to Australia’s air intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, with three key Royal Australian Air Force platforms reaching significant milestones within six months. Together, these milestones represent a significant strengthening…

Travel to Fiji for the South Pacific Defence Ministers' Meeting

Assistant Minister for Defence, Peter Khalil will travel to Fiji this week for the 2026 South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). SPDMM provides a forum for regional defence leaders to enhance cooperation and drive Pacific-led responses to shared regional challenges. This year’s meeting is…

Wagga Wagga Airport cleared for take-off with new 50 year lease

The Albanese Government has secured Wagga Wagga Airport’s long-term future following agreement for a new 50 year lease between Wagga Wagga City Council and the Department of Defence. The new lease will build on a longstanding partnership between Council and Defence and provides the certainty needed…

Largest ADF in 25 years

More Australians are choosing to join and stay in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as the Albanese Government continues its record investments to put Defence recruitment and retention back on track.  In the 2025-26 financial year, the ADF grew to its largest size in a quarter of a century,…

25th commemoration of September 11

Today marks 25 years since the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, which claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people in the United States and from countries around the world.On this solemn day, we remember the 2,977 people killed in New York, Washington DC and in…

Army's world-class air defence capability ready for operations

Australia’s integrated air and missile defence capability has been strengthened with the achievement of Final Operational Capability for Army’s National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS) capability. This milestone confirms the NASAMS has met all requirements for operational service…

$2.4 billion investment in air and missile defence

The Albanese Government is investing $2.4 billion to strengthen Australia's air and missile defence capabilities while building a resilient sovereign defence industrial base. Delivered as part of the second tranche of AIR 6500, this investment is a critical component of the Albanese Government’s…