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One of the world’s largest aircraft has landed at RAAF Base Williamtown today carrying the first delivery of Australia’s state of the art training equipment for the Joint Strike Fighter. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne said the Antonov An-124 touched down this afternoon after a two day journey from the United Kingdom carrying equipment for the Australian F-35A Integrated Training Centre. 

Workers at RAAF Base Williamtown will service and prepare up to 46 retired F/A-18 Classic Hornet aircraft that will be sold to air combat training company Air USA. The Classic Hornet aircraft will be used to provide training services to the United States Air Force and will be prepared over the next three to four years. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP, said the work will provide employment certainty for workers in the NSW Hunter region.

The first of two ‘Classic’ Hornets allocated to the Australian War Memorial for heritage display is being transported by road from RAAF Base Williamtown to Canberra. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said today’s expected arrival of the F/A-18A Hornet A21-022 would be a major step in the preservation of Australian war history. “This is a special aircraft for the RAAF,” Minister Price said. “It employed the first Australian weapon on Operation Falconer in 2003, and was also deployed on Operation Okra in 2016-2017.

Joint media release:  The Hon Pat Conaghan MP, Member for Cowper A family-owned engineering company based in Port Macquarie has been awarded an $8.47 million contract to deliver the Australian Defence Force’s next generation rough terrain vehicle fleet, providing a boost to the local economy.

The Federal Government will provide financial assistance to commercial fishers adversely affected by the NSW Government’s fishing bans in Tilligerry Creek and Fullerton Cove. As part of the support package, commercial fishers who derive the majority of their income from fishing in the areas affected by the bans may be eligible for an Income Recovery Subsidy equivalent to Newstart or Youth Allowance, and Business Assistance Payments of up to $25,000.

The Federated States of Micronesia has taken ownership of its second Guardian-class Patrol Boat at a handover ceremony today in Perth, Western Australia. Vice President of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Hon Aren B. Palik, accepted the patrol boat acknowledging the country’s longstanding maritime cooperation and commitment to regional maritime security.

The Defence Ministers of Fiji and Australia met virtually on 24 November 2020 for the second annual Defence Ministers’ Meeting. The Honourable Inia Seruiratu, Fijian Minister of Defence, National Security & Policing and Senator the Honourable Linda Reynolds CSC, Australian Minister for Defence noted that despite the challenges of 2020, the bilateral relationship had gone from strength to strength.

The Defence Ministers of Fiji and Australia met virtually yesterday for the third annual Defence Ministers’ meeting, highlighting the importance of the robust and burgeoning defence partnership between the two countries. The Honourable Inia Seruiratu, Fijian Minister of Defence, National Security & Policing and the Honourable Peter Dutton, Australian Minister for Defence, spoke about the mutual value they derive from responding to security challenges in the Pacific together.

Fiji has today taken delivery of its second Guardian-class Patrol Boat, the RFNS Puamau, at a handover ceremony at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia.  The Prime Minister of Fiji, the Hon Sitiveni Rabuka received the vessel on behalf of the Government of Fiji.  Fiji and Australia are Vuvale – natural partners working together to develop joint responses to emerging regional needs and priorities. 

Australia is deeply grateful for Fiji’s generous offer to support Australia’s emergency bushfire response through the provision of troops from the Republic of Fiji Military Forces. Australia is currently facing an unprecedented national disaster as bushfires continue to sweep across large parts of NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said Australia welcomes Fiji’s offer to provide an engineering platoon to assist in the bushfire fighting and recovery efforts.

The Australian Defence Force’s third Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), NUSHIP Sydney, is on track to be delivered to the Navy in February 2020 after completing sea trials. Sydney is the third and final ship being delivered by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance which includes the Department of Defence, Raytheon Australia, and ASC Shipbuilding supported by Navantia Australia. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the success of Sydney’s sea trials represents a significant step towards its delivery.

The Morrison Government’s Air Warfare Destroyer program has officially come to an end with the commissioning of HMAS Sydney at sea. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, CSC said her commissioning marks a significant milestone in the Morrison Government’s $90 billion Naval Shipbuilding Plan. “The commissioning of the final Hobart Class Destroyer not only marks the beginning of a new era for the Navy, but also demonstrates the success of this Government’s Australian Naval Shipbuilding Plan,” Minister Reynolds said.

Minister for Defence Personnel Dan Tehan said the last S 70B-2 Seahawk ‘Bravo’ naval combat helicopter made its final flight today before being gifted to the Australian War Memorial (AWM).

The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today congratulated Royal Australian Air Force on the achievement of Final Operational Capability (FOC) for the KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft fleet. Minister Payne said the KC-30A was a significant capability multiplier for our Air Force, which has proven itself over Iraq as part of Operation OKRA. “This is a significant milestone for the fleet, which is now able to refuel a range of aircraft from our Air Force and our international partners,” Minister Payne said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has closed the Australian Defence Force Academy’s (ADFA) gates to the public, but young Australians will still be able to learn about the exciting leadership opportunities offered at the Academy. Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester said while the traditional ADFA Open Day couldn’t happen this year, a virtual program would provide young Australians interested in a career with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to have all their questions answered.

The Australian Government extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Jesse Bird and honours his service to our country. The loss of a current or former Australian Defence Force (ADF) member is deeply felt by the entire Defence and veteran community, and when it comes to veteran suicide, the only acceptable number for me is zero — the only acceptable number for the Australian people is zero.

Assistant Minister for Defence Michael McCormack yesterday held constructive talks with the Finnish Minister of Defence and senior Finnish defence industry representatives in Canberra. The Finland?Australia Defence and Security Seminar brings together the Captains of Defence Industry in both countries to discuss areas of mutual interest. Mr McCormack said the Finnish delegation discussed some of their future programs and development plans as well as their procurement policies.

Internationally recognised Defence scientist, Ms Zenka Mathys, has won the 2017 Minister’s Award for Achievement in Defence Science for improving fire safety for Navy ships, submarines and crew. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today congratulated Ms Mathys from Defence Science and Technology’s Maritime Division for her outstanding scientific achievement in developing fire protection systems which have contributed significantly to the survivability of Navy platforms.

Today, we remember the four Australian Defence Force personnel who lost their lives in the Lindeman Island MRH-90 Taipan incident, on the first anniversary of the crash. On 28 July 2023, an Australian Army MRH90 Taipan helicopter impacted waters near Lindeman Island, Queensland during a night-time training activity as part of Exercise TALISMAN SABRE 2023.

The first four M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carriers being gifted to Ukraine departed RAAF Base Amberley last week. Loaded into a Ukrainian Antonov AN-124 aircraft, the four vehicles are the first of 14 M113AS4s to be provided by Australia. The Australian government’s military assistance package consists of over AUD 285 million worth of support including Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, M777 Howitzers; anti-armour weapons, ammunition, unmanned aerial systems and a range of personal equipment.

The Albanese Government has awarded several contracts under a qualification process that paves the way for the Australian businesses to enter UK and US submarine supply chains, underscoring further progress in delivering the AUKUS program. 

The first Australian-made uncrewed combat air vehicle has successfully completed its test flights, and has officially been named at a ceremony at RAAF Base Amberley. Working under the title, ‘Loyal Wingman’ Minister for Defence the Hon Peter Dutton MP, today unveiled the aircraft’s official service name, “MQ-28A Ghost Bat.” “As air warfare grows more complex and more sophisticated, remotely piloted aircraft and other uncrewed platforms are becoming increasingly vital assets for modern militaries,” Minister Dutton said.

The Royal Australian Navy has conducted the first official port visit by a submarine to Brunei Darussalam.  HMAS Dechaineux and her 59 member crew arrived at Muara Port on Saturday 7 March for a three-day visit as part of a regional deployment.

The Albanese Government will deliver a sovereign, autonomous undersea capability, through the Ghost Shark Program. Ghost Shark is being jointly developed and funded by a partnership between Defence and Anduril Australia, and will become Mission Zero (0) for the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA).

In a major development for Australia’s new Hunter class frigate program, an interim contract has been struck between the Commonwealth and BAE Systems Australia. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced Defence and BAE Systems Australia have entered into an Advanced Work Arrangement (AWA). The AWA will cover ongoing work on the $35 billion program, ahead of agreeing the Head Contract.

The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP and the Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne today announced the next significant step in the building of Australia’s Future Submarines with the signing of the contract between the Government and DCNS to commence the design phase of the Program.

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced the formation of the first Defence Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Trusted Autonomous Systems with inaugural participating members BAE Systems Australia, RMIT University, DefendTex and the Department of Defence, represented by Defence Science and Technology Group.

The first Defence Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Trusted Autonomous Systems will be formally launched in Brisbane today at the International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) 2018.  Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, welcomed the CRC which was established under the Next Generation Technologies Fund. 

Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced that three new aviation refuelling vehicles have been delivered to RAAF Base Amberley. Minister Pyne said these are the first of 100 vehicles to be delivered by Victorian company, Refuel International, which was awarded the $47 million contract in October 2016 to deliver a new generation of aviation refuelling vehicles to Defence under Joint Project 157 Phase 1.

A squadron of United States Air Force (USAF) F-22 Raptors will arrive in Australia today ahead of the first Enhanced Air Cooperation (EAC) activity in Australia under the US Force Posture Initiatives. The Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne said the visiting F-22s will be located at RAAF Base Tindal and will be the largest and longest rotation of fifth-generation aircraft to Australia to date.