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The first public whole-of-government lessons report on Australia’s mission in Afghanistan was officially launched today. Commissioned by the Australian Civil-Military Centre, the report is based on a cross-government review undertaken by former Secretary of the Department of Defence and Australia’s Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mr Ric Smith AO, PSM. The Report considers Australia’s whole-of-government approach to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2013, which outlines the strengths and challenges of Australia’s mission in Afghanistan.

PATRICIA KARVELAS: As you may have heard today, the US has asked Australia to commit more troops in Afghanistan – this comes ahead of a NATO meeting later this month. Senator Marise Payne is the Minister for Defence and I spoke to her a short time ago.             [Excerpt] PATRICIA KARVELAS: Minister, welcome back to RN Drive. MINISTER PAYNE: Great to be here, Patricia. PATRICIA KARVELAS: How many extra troops are you considering? MINISTER PAYNE:

    **Check against delivery**   Thank you Hannah for that warm welcome. It’s wonderful to be back here today with you.  

State-of-the-art multi-spectral simulation software, developed by Defence Science and Technology (DST), has been licensed to Adelaide SME Consilium Technology to be marketed globally as Infinite Studio. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced the signing of the licensing agreement for the technology which will support virtual and constructive simulation activities for Defence and civilian applications. 

The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced the three year continuation of the School Pathways Programme in South Australia and Western Australia. The programme is one of the Department of Defence’s key defence industry skilling and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) initiatives. Minister Pyne said the programme has been funded by Defence in South Australia since 2009 and Western Australia since 2010.

Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States have together reached another significant AUKUS milestone, with the signing of an agreement to enable cooperation that is essential to Australia’s capacity to safely build, operate and maintain a conventionally‑armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability.

SYDNEY   ***CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY***   I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet today, the Gadigal of the Eora and pay my respects to Elders past and present. It is a great pleasure to be here with you tonight as the new Minister for Defence Industry. I would also like to thank the Ai Group for hosting tonight’s event, in what truly is an exciting time for the Australian Defence Industry.

Repeated lockdowns and border closures by Australian states and territories have presented massive challenges for businesses across Australia. We all know that defence industry relies on the movement of people across borders to ensure continuity of supplies and parts and to enable people with specialist skills to build up our Defence capabilities that are proudly ‘Made in Australia’. Over the past 18 months, my priority has been to keep the wheels of our defence industry turning.

A partnership between Boeing Defence Australia and Defence will create more highly-skilled jobs in Brisbane, Adelaide and Williamtown. The $170 million contract signed today will continue the Vigilare System, which is being renamed “Wakulda”. The local indigenous Worimi people in the Williamtown region have endorsed a proposal to use the name, which means ‘together’, in honour of the revitalised agreement. Wakulda fuses data from radars and other sensors to support the Royal Australian Air Force’s national air defence command and control functions.

Australian companies have the chance to win work on the Short Range Ground Based Air Defence System through subcontracting opportunities. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced seven industry showcase events aimed at connecting small to medium businesses with Raytheon Australia, the company selected to develop the National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAMS). 

Joint media release The Hon Darren Chester MP, Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the Australian Army will join forces this week for the inaugural Exercise Christmas Drop Australia.  The new exercise will bring together personnel from RAAF’s No. 35 Squadron and Army’s 51 Far North Queensland and Pilbara Regiments.

Joint media release Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon Scott Morrison MP Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP The first military aircraft to be designed and built in Australia in more than 50 years has been rolled out as part of a partnership between the Royal Australian Air Force and Boeing Australia.

AUSTRALIAN Air Force Cadets will benefit from arrival of eight Diamond DA40 NG light aircraft to help them with their flight training. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester made the announcement today at the Australian International Airshow 2019 at Avalon. Mr Chester said the fleet of Diamond aircraft introduced a modern aircraft for training and would inspire young Australians to pursue a career in aviation. “I am pleased to announce the leasing of eight aircraft for exclusive use by Australian Air Force Cadets,” Mr Chester said.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne today announced the achievement of Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for the fleet of C-27J Spartan aircraft. Minister Payne congratulated Air Force on the significant milestone achieved today that will increase Defence’s ability to move people, equipment and supplies in Australia and our region.

Australia’s new maritime surveillance aircraft the P-8A Poseidon has achieved Initial Operating Capability (IOC), five months ahead of the original schedule. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, congratulated Air Force and CASG on the significant milestone that has been achieved. “Together the P-8A Poseidon and the future MQ-4C Triton aircraft will provide Australia with one of the world’s most advanced maritime patrol and surveillance capabilities,” Minister Payne said. 

Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, and Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, today welcomed the opening of the inaugural AIR4 event which aims to encourage young women to see the value in pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies.  

Joint Media Release Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP In an historic day in Australian aviation, the first two F-35A Joint Strike Fighters to be permanently based in Australia arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown.  The Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, and Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, were there to welcome the aircraft and RAAF fighter pilots who flew the final leg in the journey from Luke Air Force Base Arizona.

MINISTER for Veterans and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester has today announced the launch of Air Force’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy and action plan by the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO, DSC, at the National Museum in Canberra. Mr Chester said the Indigenous strategy Our Place, Our Skies outlines Air Force’s commitments to the Defence Reconciliation Action Plan (D-RAP) 2019–2022.

A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft has arrived in the Middle East in support of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC). Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the P-8A’s advanced surveillance capabilities will provide a modest but meaningful contribution. “The P-8A will work alongside our coalition partners to ensure the safe passage of merchant vessels through the region, boost security and provide an advanced maritime patrol and surveillance capability,” Minister Reynolds said.

The Turnbull Government has signed a contract to provide sustainment for the engines of the newly acquired EA-18G Growler aircraft. This contract, which also includes sustainment of Australia’s existing F/A-18F Super Hornets, will support more than 40 jobs at RAAF base Amberley in Queensland. The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the contract extension will continue what has been a highly successful partnership with General Electric International Incorporated and its subcontractors.

Joint media release Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel, the Hon Darren Chester MP   The final aircraft from the Air Force Pilatus PC-21 fleet has been officially welcomed at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base East Sale in Victoria. The PC-21 is the world’s most advanced pilot training aircraft and is a key component of the Liberal-National Government’s $1.5 billion AIR5428 project.

Joint media release Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP A DART rocket carrying a Defence payload has launched today from Koonibba Rocket Range in South Australia, marking the first commercial rocket launch to the edge of space from Australia. At just 3.4 metres long and weighing 34 kilograms, the DART rocket is a fraction of the size of rockets launched by NASA and SpaceX.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today welcomed the first EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force. Flying into the Australian International Airshow at Avalon from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in the United States, the Growlers are a potent and technologically advanced new capability for the Australian Defence Force. Minister Payne said the Growler was a true force-multiplier.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. And let me begin this morning by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to their elders past, present and future. Let me also thank Aunty Tina for your very informative welcome. For those of you who are visitors to Australia, I think that was one of the most educational welcomes to country I have ever enjoyed. And let me also thank Uncle Harry very much this morning as well. It is always a pleasure to see you. Thank you for your recruiting efforts and please keep it up.  

Today marked a significant milestone for Air Warfare Destroyer Hobart as the ship returned to port after the successful completion of sea acceptance trials. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, congratulated the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance partners for their combined efforts.  “The success of Hobart’s sea acceptance trials can be attributed to the joint efforts of the Commonwealth, ASC Shipbuilding, Raytheon Australia, Navantia, and 200 plus crew on board,” Minister Pyne said.  

The Air Warfare Destroyer project has been removed from the Projects of Concern list following continuing improvements in shipbuilding performance. This major milestone is a result of the implementation of the Turnbull Government’s reform program. Following an independent review by Professor Don Winter and Dr John White and a review by the Australian National Audit Office, the project was placed on the Projects of Concern list in June 2014 due to increasing commercial, schedule and cost risks.

The Air Warfare Destroyer project has been removed from the Projects of Concern list following continuing improvements in shipbuilding performance. This major milestone is a result of the implementation of the Turnbull Government’s reform program. Following an independent review by Professor Don Winter and Dr John White and a review by the Australian National Audit Office, the project was placed on the Projects of Concern list in June 2014 due to increasing commercial, schedule and cost risks.

Airbus Australia Pacific (Airbus) has been awarded a two year contract extension to provide sustainment services through to 2024, including engineering, maintenance, and supply support for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) C-130J fleet.  Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the contract extension was granted after Airbus provided outstanding sustainment support to the C-130J fleet. “Airbus reduced sustainment costs by $10 million over the 2019 to 2024 period,” Minister Pyne said. 

The delivery of the final nine of Australia’s fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to keeping Australia safe by ensuring the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has what it needs to defend our nation.

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. Awarded under the $170 million Defence Industry Development Grants program, these grants will fund projects that enhance Australia’s defence manufacturing capabilities, export competitiveness and technical skills development.