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Thomas Global Systems and Safran Group signed a new agreement today in Sydney to formally commence their partnership which will facilitate industry knowledge sharing and create advanced manufacturing jobs in Western Sydney. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, was present at the agreement signing and said the establishment of a manufacturing facility by Thomas Global for the international Safran Group products marked the first time the innovative PASEO sighting system will be made outside of France.

The Albanese Government’s Budget invests nearly $150 million to start delivering the skills and workforce we need to deliver Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine program through AUKUS. The AUKUS plan for Australia to acquire and manufacture nuclear-powered submarines will create around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years across industry, the Australian Defence Force and the Australian Public Service.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, congratulated Lockheed Martin on the first anniversary of operations of the Science, Technology, Engineering Leadership, Research Laboratory (STELaRLab), celebrated today in Melbourne, signifying their commitment to Australian innovation. Minister Pyne said STELaRLab is the first research and development (R&D) facility established by Lockheed Martin outside of the United States, and will be the company’s national R&D operations centre in Australia.

The Albanese Government has introduced the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023, which will establish a new, independent regulator to ensure Australia applies the highest standards of nuclear safety across its nuclear-powered submarine enterprise and can continue to implement AUKUS without delay.

Today the Albanese Government is introducing the Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets Bill, which will strengthen our current laws and enhance the Government’s ability to protect Australia’s national secrets.

The Albanese Government will unlock billions of dollars in investment and cut red tape for Australian Defence industry and our AUKUS partners, with the introduction of the Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2023. Under the legislation introduced today, Australia’s existing trade controls will be expanded to regulate the supply of controlled items and provision of services on the Defence and Strategic Goods List, ensuring our cutting-edge military technologies are protected.

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 and ongoing ministerial defence industry and capability dialogue, supported by a joint senior Defence forum to elevate Australian and United Kingdom materiel, industry, and innovation collaboration.

Joint media release Senator for the Northern Territory,  Dr Sam McMahon   The Morrison Government will build a Maritime Security Training Centre in Darwin to facilitate training of Royal Australian Navy and other Australian Defence Force members for Maritime Security operations. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said this is one of a number of Defence initiatives that will support the Australian defence industry during the recovery from COVID-19.

A new Maritime Underwater Tracking Range will be built in Western Australia as part of the Morrison Government’s $270 billion investment in defence capability over the next decade. This project will replace the original tracking range system that ceased operating in 2012 and will provide the Navy with sub-surface tracking capability and optimised preparedness. Through a series of sensors, the tracking range will capture and relay information on the location and movement of assets that are operating within the tracking field.

The mental health and wellbeing for Australian Defence Force (ADF) members, Reservists and their families has been bolstered with a new purpose built app released today as part of mental health month.    Minister for Defence Personnel, Darren Chester, said the HeadStrength app would allow users to anonymously check their wellbeing and provide customised information about how to seek the help they need, when they need it.  

Australian organisations need to take further action and follow updated advice from the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and Microsoft to patch vulnerable Microsoft Exchange systems.    Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Andrew Hastie MP, said it is critical that newly identified vulnerabilities are addressed to avoid having Microsoft Exchange email software systems compromised by adversaries.

The Morrison Government’s multi-billion dollar investment in Army’s close combat vehicles has reached a significant milestone with the delivery of six prototype test and evaluation vehicles from the project’s two shortlisted tenderers. The $18.1 - 27.1 billion LAND 400 Phase 3 Program will provide the Army with an advanced, cutting edge Infantry Fighting Vehicle capability. 

Joint media release Senator the Hon Sarah Henderson, Senator for Victoria    Geelong’s Deakin University will deliver additional robotics-driven target systems to the Australian Defence Force, supporting nearly two dozen Australian small businesses. The contract, valued at over $1 million, will see the ADF receive six more RAIDER Mobile Moving Target Systems, which mimic tanks and light armoured vehicles, as well as trailers and thermal targets. 

Dr Lesley Seebeck has been appointed to the Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board. Dr Seebeck is the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Australian National University’s Cyber Institute and was the Federal Chief Information Officer of the Year in 2017. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said it’s great to have someone of Dr Seebeck’s experience join the NSAB.

Joint media release: The Hon John Gardner MP, South Australian Minister for Education   A new naval shipbuilding ‘taster course’ endorsed by Australia’s defence industry is set to be rolled out to its first cohort of students across Australia. The Introduction to Naval Shipbuilding course was developed by the Morrison Government’s Naval Shipbuilding College and industry and will be delivered through TAFE SA.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today opened the new office of QinetiQ Australia in Mawson Lakes for their expanded staff. “South Australia has a strong Defence industry, and QinetiQ’s new office demonstrates their confidence in and commitment to Australia and Australian jobs,” Minister Pyne said. “QinetiQ provides a range of advanced services to Defence, recently acquiring RubiKon Group; it has 27 staff now in Adelaide.”

The Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Pat Conroy MP, has announced new opportunities for Australian defence industry companies to be involved in the production of advanced air capabilities. The Australian Government has today signed an Australian Industry Capability (AIC) Deed for the Apache Program with the Boeing Company (US), solidifying commitments for Australia’s defence industry in the production of Australia’s aircraft.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today welcomed the signing of a new co-operative agreement between Northrop Grumman Australia and Flinders University. Northrop Grumman Australia and Flinders University have today signed an agreement to explore opportunities for internships, work experience and graduate programs for Flinders students. The agreement also encourages the participation of Northrop Grumman staff in education and training programs offered by Flinders.

Joint Media ReleaseSenator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSCMinister for Defence Industry

Joint media release Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP   The Morrison Government is investing around $350 million for the build program of six new Cape Class Patrol Boats for the Royal Australian Navy.  The vessels will be built by Western Australian company Austal, securing Australian shipbuilding jobs and maintaining strong border protection. The Australian Border Force currently operates eight Cape Class Patrol Boats, while the Navy operates two leased Cape Class. 

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Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said the RAAF’s new PC-21 pilot training system was a significant leap forward in pilot training and would better prepare flying students for their future careers. Mr Tehan and Darren Chester, the Member for Gippsland, viewed the new PC-21 fixed-wing training aircraft today at the Avalon International Airshow. The PC-21 is expected to commence flying operations at RAAF East Sale in mid-2017. The Air Force will also base five of its seven PC-21 simulator flight training devices and associated facilities infrastructure at East Sale.

Australian small businesses are being given more help and guidance with the release of the Morrison Government’s third Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Implementation Plan.Minister for Defence Industry, Melissa Price today announced the release of the Land Combat and Protected Vehicles and Technology Upgrades Plan.Minister Price said the Plan provides useful information to businesses who already operate with Defence – and those who aspire to join the industry – to invest in a way that best supports the Australian Defence Force’s capability needs.

The Morrison Government is helping Australian small businesses to invest more in our defence industry, with the release of the first two of our Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Implementation Plans. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, announced the Plans for Munitions and Small Arms Research, Design, Development and Manufacture, and for the Combat Clothing Survivability and Signature Reduction Technologies.

The Parliament has today passed new laws that will support the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide to complete its important work ahead of its reporting date of 17 June 2024. The new laws will do this by making it possible for more people to participate in face-to-face private sessions. Private sessions enable individuals to share their personal experience with a royal commission in a trauma informed and less formal setting than a hearing.

Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base East Sale today welcomed the arrival of a new Broadspectrum Panther-S firefighting vehicle and the increased capability it will bring. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester welcomed the addition of the Panther-S and applauded the efforts of Broadspectrum employees during the recent bushfire emergency. “The new Panther-S model is being introduced by as part of Broadspectrum’s investment and commitment to firefighting and airfield safety,” Mr Chester said.

Joint media release Minister for Home Affairs, the Hon Peter Dutton MP     A new report has revealed how Australians can fight back against cybercriminals and protecting themselves with the help of the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC). The ACSC Annual Cyber Threat Report: July 2019 to June 2020 jointly released by the ACSC, the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, outlines key cybercrime and cyber security activity.

Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP today announced a new research agreement between Defence Science and Technology (DST) and Adelaide-based Daronmont Technologies to explore next generation technology options for Defence applications. Minister Pyne said that as a result of this agreement research and development will begin into high-technology electronics and software-intensive systems to significantly boost the capability of the Australian Defence Force.

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 was signed in Adelaide today as part of the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group Partnerships Week, and was a big step towards improving the countermeasures deployed to protect our aircraft. 

The new Satellite Ground Station near Geraldton, Western Australia is now operational, marking an important milestone in the Morrison Government’s commitment to building Australia’s sovereign satellite capability. Satellite Ground Station – West, delivered under Joint Project 2008 Phase 3F in partnership with BAE Systems Australia, will provide an anchoring capability to Wideband Global Satellite-Communications satellites primarily located over the Indian Ocean.