Tag: ADF

Talisman Sabre 2019 – Largest Ever Bilateral Defence Exercise Begins

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July 7, 2019 – The opening ceremony for Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019 has been held in the Port of Brisbane today on the USS Ronald Reagan to formally launch Australia’s largest bilateral exercise with the United States. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the exercise was designed to enhance combat readiness and interoperability between the Australian and United States Armed Forces. “This premier military engagement reflects the strength of the Australia-US alliance and the closeness of our military to military relationship,” Minister Reynolds said. “Exercise Talisman…

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Latest Round of Southwest Pacific and Timor-Leste Engagements Begin

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July 5, 2019 – The Australian Defence Force continues to support the Australian Government’s Pacific Step-Up initiative through the latest series of engagements across the Southwest Pacific and Timor-Leste. Joint Task Force 637 and Her Majesty’s Australian Ship (HMAS) Sirius will arrive in Fiji in early July for a five day port-call, signaling the start of what will be a comprehensive six month program of official activities throughout the region. Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Timor-Leste, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Samoa, and the Micronesia region will join…

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Navy projects from east to west

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July 24, 2019 – The month of May saw the Royal Australian Navy engage and prove the capability to sustain multiple task groups from east to west across the Indo-Pacific, with three task groups simultaneously operating in the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and South East Asia. While the INDO-PACIFIC ENDEAVOUR maritime task group was undertaking the final legs of their IPE 19 deployment, other RAN fleet units were engaged in Exercise LA PEROUSE in the Northeast Indian Ocean and Exercise PACIFIC VANGUARD in the Pacific Ocean near Guam. Navy’s…

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Navy Trainers Support Philippines in Maritime Patrol Mission

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June 11, 2019 – Members of the Defence Cooperation Program Sea Training Group have recently completed their sixth rotation conducting Maritime Interoperability Training at Naval Forces Western Mindanao in Zamboanga, Philippines. Lead by Commander Mitchell Edwards, a small team of Australian Sea Trainers have been deployed to various locations throughout the Operation AUGURY-PHILIPPINES area of operation under Joint Task Force 629. As part of an Australian Defence Joint Task Force and with air, land and maritime activities simultaneously taking place, the Sea Trainers worked alongside the Philippine Navy Training Team…

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A safer Australia: Budget 2019-20

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April 2, 2019 – The Morrison Government’s number one priority is keeping Australians safe and secure. The 2019–20 Budget sees continued strong investment in Australia’s national security, with a particular focus on enhancing our regional security, building defence capability and supporting Australia’s sovereign defence industry. The Budget maintains the Government’s commitment to grow the Defence budget to two per cent of GDP by 2020–21. The Government will allocate Defence $38.7 billion in 2019-20 and $175.8 billion to 2022-23. REGIONAL AND GLOBAL SECURITY As our security environment evolves, we are increasing Australia’s commitment…

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Industry engaged in Attack Class submarine program

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April 1, 2019 – Australian companies and universities continue to show a high level of interest in the Attack class submarine program. The Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the Attack class submarine Combat System Integrator, Lockheed Martin Australia, has selected ten organizations to participate in research and development topics. “Following a competitive selection process, these organizations have been selected to develop 13 research & development concept papers on topics related to the Attack class,” Minister Pyne said. “The research grants, totaling $900,000, cover a range of…

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Young Endeavour Replacement

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April 1, 2019 – The Government is pleased to announce the STS Young Endeavour replacement project is progressing and will be due for consideration by Cabinet later this year. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the program is recognized internationally as a leading youth development program, with more than 500 young Australians taking part every year. “More than 13,600 young Australians have participated in the scheme since January 1988,” Minister Pyne said. “After 31 years of dedicated service the Young Endeavour is now approaching the end of…

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ANZAC Class Frigates — Sustainment

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The audit objective was to examine whether the Department of Defence has effective and efficient sustainment arrangements for the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of eight ANZAC class frigates. Summary and recommendations Background 1. The Royal Australian Navy (Navy) operates eight ANZAC class frigates. The frigates were commissioned between 1996 and 2006, and form part of Navy’s core surface warship capability. The ANZAC class is used to: conduct surveillance and patrols; protect shipping and strategic areas; provide naval gunfire in support of the Army; and undertake disaster relief and search and rescue…

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Defence Opens E-Communications Platform to Defence Families

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February 25, 2019 – Minister for Defence Personnel Darren Chester today announced Defence has extended the use of the ForceNet e-communication platform to Defence family members to improve communication with families. ForceNet connects registered users within a secure online environment, allowing families to stay up-to-date with the latest information about their member’s unit and other Defence support services. Mr Chester said Defence understands the unique demands placed on Defence members and their families. “We acknowledge the positive contribution families make to the morale, performance and retention of Australian Defence Force…

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Release of Naval Shipbuilding Strategic Workforce Discussion Paper

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February 15, 2019 – The Coalition Government has today released the Naval Shipbuilding Strategic Workforce Discussion Paper. While the Government has already taken many actions to build the workforce, it is important to hear if there is more that we can and should do to support workforce growth. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the Government is therefore seeking submissions on the Discussion Paper, including any pertinent data, to help guide further actions and initiatives to support the development of the naval shipbuilding workforce. “The Government’s investment…

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Australian Military Sales Catalogue

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August 12, 2019 – The third edition of the Australian Military Sales Catalogue, launched today, showcases world-leading Australian defense industry products, services and technology available for export to foreign governments. The 2019 Catalogue is almost twice the size of last year’s as the Liberal National Government works to make Australia a top ten global defense exporter. Growing defense exports strengthens Australia’s defense industry, creating new jobs and helping to keep the country more safe and secure. The number of Australian businesses contributing to the Catalogue has grown by 75 per…

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Austal Cybersecurity Incident

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November 1, 2018 – The Australian Government is aware of the cyber security incident affecting Austal. This matter has been referred to the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) for investigation. As the investigation continues, the Department of Defence can confirm that no compromise of classified or sensitive information or technology has been identified so far. This incident reinforces the serious nature of the cyber security threat faced by defense industry, and the need for industry partners to put in place, and maintain, strong cyber…

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HMAS Ballarat supports search and rescue for injured Golden Globe race sailors

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September 26, 2018 – HMAS Ballarat will reach Amsterdam Island tomorrow, ready to provide medical assistance to Indian Solo yachtsman Abhilash Tomy, injured in rough seas approximately 1800 nautical miles off the West Australian coast. The French fisheries patrol vessel Osiris recovered the injured sailor from the damaged yacht Thuriya, and another sailor from a second damaged yacht, and transported both sailors to Amsterdam Island on Tuesday. Coordinated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, HMAS Ballarat and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft responded…

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Australia further strengthens regional maritime security

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September 22, 2018 – Australia is continuing its commitment to regional maritime security through an upgrade of wharf and shore-based infrastructure by Fletcher Morobe Constructions Limited at Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island. Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the $5 million contract is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program. “The Lombrum upgrades will support the safe and secure berthing of PNG’s four new Guardian-class Patrol Boats,” Minister Pyne said. “The infrastructure works build upon existing security cooperation between Defence…

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Regional partnerships on show at exercise Kakadu

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August 31, 2018 – Australia’s role as a regional security partner will be highlighted in the coming weeks with the largest regional maritime exercise of its kind beginning today in the Northern Territory. Held biennially, Exercise Kakadu is a joint exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy and supported by the Royal Australian Air Force. More countries are attending this year than ever before, with 23 ships, 21 aircraft, a submarine and more than 3000 personnel from 27 nations participating in a range of activities both ashore in Darwin and…

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