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The first of six Evolved Cape-class patrol boats was recently launched at the Austal Ships shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Head Maritime Systems Rear Admiral Wendy Malcolm said the vessels would replace the Navy’s Armidale-class patrol boats and would be used as interim patrol platforms until the commissioning of the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels. “The Evolved Cape-class patrol boats will…
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Former Royal Navy (RN) nuclear submarine executive officer, Captain Henry Finnis (ret’d), sees the benefits of Australia acquiring the vessels as he reflects on his career as a submariner. On September 16, the Prime Minister announced a new trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and United States, called AUKUS. Despite being surprised by the Australian Government’s announcement to…
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October 8, 2021 – The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters, Related Defense Services, and related equipment for an estimated cost of $985 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Australia has…
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The maintenance of the Royal Australian Navy’s advanced lightweight anti-submarine torpedo will continue in WA after the Morrison Government awarded the $20 million contract to Thales Australia. Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the contract to sustain the MU90 Light Weight Torpedo reflected the Government’s continued support for Australia’s defense industry. “This is yet another demonstration of the Morrison…
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HMAS Anzac’s embarked MH-60R Seahawk ‘Berserker’ has reached a milestone of 2000 flight hours while deployed in Southeast Asia. The helicopter and ship are in company with HMA Ships Canberra and Sirius as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2021 (IPE21), Australia’s flagship regional engagement activity. The MH-60R Seahawk, from 816 SQN, has been attached to Anzac since August 2020, and recently…
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Thales takes note of the decision by the Australian authorities to acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines in the framework of a new strategic security partnership with the United States and the United Kingdom. As described by the Australian government, this decision is motivated by accelerating changes to regional security that make conventional submarines unsuited to Australia’s future operational needs.…
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September 16, 2021 – Alameda-based Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) participated in a cooperative three-day at-sea exercise with the Royal Australian Navy in the South China Sea Saturday through Monday. The joint training engagement included joint operations, professional exchanges, and multi-unit maneuvering at sea to strengthen interoperability between the U.S. Coast Guard and Royal Australian Navy. “These at-sea engagements…
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Svitzer Australia, Australia’s leading towage provider, has been announced as the successful tenderer for a long-term contract to provide towage services for the Department of Defence, servicing the Royal Australian Navy (the Navy). Svitzer as the winner of the Defence Marine Support Services Package 3 tender, will provide towage services for Australia’s naval fleet, the management of Navy towage assets,…
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September 8, 2021 – Ultra (Australia) is pleased to announce it has entered into agreement for the 5th year of in-service support for the Australian Hobart Class guided-missile destroyer (DDG) ships together with Raytheon Australia. This contract ensures that the Integrated Sonar System installed on the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) DDGs, which is comprised of a Hull Mounted Sonar and…
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MALABAR 2021 JMSDF is to conducts a multilateral exercise “MALABAR 2021” with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the Indian Navy (IN), and the United States Navy (USN) to further strengthen defense cooperation and contribute to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific as described below. 1. Objectives (1) To improve JMSDF’s tactical capabilities (2) To strengthen the relationship with RAN, IN, and…
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