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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the September edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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BROADSIDE - September 2023 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" 
button. |
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26 September Race
to find Great Lakes shipwrecks before mussels destroy themThe Great Lakes’ frigid fresh water used to keep shipwrecks so well preserved that divers could see dishes in the cupboards. Downed planes that spent decades underwater were left so pristine they could practically fly again when archaeologists finally discovered them. Now, an invasive mussel is destroying shipwrecks deep in the depths of the lakes, forcing archeologists and amateur historians into a race against time to find as many sites as they can before the region touching eight U.S. states and the Canadian province of Ontario loses any physical trace of its centuries-long maritime history. More..... |
26 September Collins-class
submarine suffers on-board electrical fireOne of Australia's oldest submarines has suffered an on-board electrical fire while at sea, with the crew able to continue their mission after managing to extinguish the blaze. The ABC can reveal the emergency inside HMAS Farncomb occurred last month while the Collins-class boat was on deployment in its 25th year of service. Details of the incident, including where the submarine was located at the time, are being tightly held but one figure familiar with the events has described the experience as "concerning". More..... |
25 September Australia
and India should cooperate in undersea search and rescueIndia and Australia have an interest in addressing subsurface challenges in their shared maritime domain. As they and other countries in the region grow their submarine fleets, there’s a critical need to develop underwater search and rescue capabilities and considerable scope to work together. In the coming years, there will likely be a significant increase in underwater activities in the Indian Ocean, including a major increase in the deployment of military submarines by littoral and non-littoral states. Currently, nearly 15 countries operate submarines in the region. India and Australia are the longest-running operators among Indian Ocean states. More..... |
25 September Philippine,
Canadian Navies Sail Together in the South China SeaCanada is the latest country to conduct joint maritime activities with the Philippines in the South China Sea amid Manila’s renewed focus on countering China in its regional waters. Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ottawa (FFH 341) and Philippine Navy frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) rendezvoused off Western Palawan on Thursday morning. Ottawa, along with the Naval Replenishment Unit MV Asterix, previously made a stop at Naval Operating Base Subic and exercised with BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) in divisional tactics and replenishment at sea. More..... |
25 September Green
ghost is shipshapeHMAS Hobart, affectionately known as ‘the green ghost’, recently received a much-needed refresh inside and out. It was a significant milestone, as the ship became the first Hobart-class guided missile destroyer to undertake a docking selected restricted availability (DSRA) as part of its usage and upkeep cycle. The extensive maintenance period, which spanned 20 weeks of production, included about 180,000 hours of work, 3800 isolations, 76 tank openings and more than 1300 hot work permits. More..... |
24 September Google
Maps Updated to reflect Sheean AveGoogle maps has finally been updated to reflect the renaming of main entrance to HMAS Cerberus from Wilsons Avenue to Sheean Avenue. The renaming was part of the base redevelopment project and was in recognition of Ordinary Seaman Teddy Sheean VC, the RAN's first Victoria Cross recipient. |
22 September Aussie
researchers warn Chinese ‘overwhelmingly’ ahead in sensor
research“China’s research in several advanced sensor technologies vital to military navigation and targeting is overwhelmingly ahead of the three AUKUS partners, the United States, United Kingdom and Australia,” according to a new report by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. It gets worse, if you’re a country competing with China: “Even if the three team up with like-minded Indo-Pacific countries Japan and South Korea, they do not match the Chinese output in high-impact research.” More..... |
22 September Upskilling
for successSkills, qualifications and a wealth of new opportunities are just some of benefits on offer through the new STEM Upskilling Program. And with new and sophisticated technology on the horizon, it was an easy decision for marine technician submariner Able Seaman Darren to join the program when it was announced earlier this year. “I was at a briefing and they spoke about the upskilling program, so I applied for the year 12 maths units because it sounded like a great opportunity,” he said. “Firstly, it gives you an opportunity to upskill, whether you want to work on nuclear submarines in the future or not. More..... |
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22 September Defence Blood drive Defence personnel across Australia are rolling up their sleeves between 1 September and 8 December for the 2023 Defence Blood Challenge. Navy, Army, Air Force, APS members and their families will donate blood products to support the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. Now in its 15th year, it is Australia's longest running blood donation drive with the blood/plasma and platelets it helps collect making a significant impact on the quality of life for those Australians in need. The 2023 Defence Blood Drive is aiming to raise 11,000 donations. |
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21 September Australia
delivers Guardian Class to Federated States of MicronesiaThe Australian government has celebrated delivery of the 16th Guardian Class patrol boat under the Pacific Maritime Security Program. GPB FSS Bethwel Henry was handed over to the Federated States of Micronesia at a ceremony held in HMAS Stirling, Western Australia, on 28 August. The fifth boat supplied to the FSM was accepted by Vice-President of Micronesia Aren B Palik from Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles. “It has been a laudable and successful program. Indeed, in my humble view, one of the most successful foreign policy instruments that the Australian government has implemented,” Vice-President Palik said. More..... |
21 September Unmanned
Surface Vessel Division One Makes Its First Port Visit in
Yokosuka, Japan The unmanned surface vessels (USVs) Ranger and Mariner from Unmanned Surface Vessel Division ONE (USVDIV-1) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka on September 18 as part of a scheduled port visit during Integrated Battle Problem (IBP) 23.2. IBP 23.2 launched this August and is the third multi-domain unmanned capabilities exercise under U.S. Pacific Fleet’s Experimentation Plan following IBP 23.1 earlier this year. The event will focus on testing and developing capabilities and concepts for medium and large USVs to advanced manned-unmanned teaming in the Indo-Pacific. More..... |
21 September Navy's
largest base turns 75Nowra locals and dignitaries recently gathered to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the commissioning of the Navy’s only air station and largest operational base, HMAS Albatross. The decision to build an airfield on the site was made soon after the beginning of WW2, and it originally opened as a RAAF base on May 7, 1942. In October 1944, the base was transferred to the Royal Navy, renamed HMS Nabbington and supported the British Pacific Fleet until March 1946. In July 1947, the formation of the RAN Fleet Air Arm was sanctioned. On August 31, 1948, Albatross was commissioned. More..... |
21 September Pensions and allowances to rise from 20 SeptemberFrom 20 September 2023, some veterans and their families will receive an increase to their pension payme nts in line with increases to the cost of living. You don’t have to do anything to receive the increase, it will automatically be applied to your payment. The first full payment at the new rates of pension will be payday 19 October 2023. The pension paid on payday 21 September 2023 is not affected as it covers pension entitlements for the fortnight to 18 September 2023. The pension for payday 5 October covers entitlements for the period 19 September 2023 to 2 October 2023 and will be paid partly at the old rate and partly at the new rate. The maximum rate of single service pension will rise by $32.70 to $1,096.70 per fortnight and the maximum rate for couples will increase by $24.70 to $826.70 per fortnight (each). More..... |
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20 September Invictus Games 2023 Wrap Up Take a moment to hear from our amazing athletes as they join us for one last video and share stories from their own incredible experiences across the last week at the Invictus Games. |
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20 September Surface
fleet review response on hold until 2024, says ConroyThe federal government will hold off publicly responding to the independent analysis of surface combatant fleet capability until next year, according to Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy. Review findings for the “Surface Fleet Review”, recommended by the Defence Strategic Review, are expected to be completed and a report delivered to government before the end of September this year. The findings are anticipated to provide insight into Royal Australian Navy’s surface combatant fleet size, structure, and composition to complement capabilities provided by conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines. More..... |
20 September Deep
sea tracking ranges approved to safeguard Australian sea
lanesMaritime underwater tracking ranges will be built in Western Australia for the Royal Australian Navy and sustained until 2045 under a $328 million contract awarded to L3Harris Technologies. The ranges will provide sub-surface tracking capability and optimised preparedness using a series of sensors built under the Australian Department of Defence’s awarded SEA 1350 Phase 3 MUTR program. The ranges are also expected to enable sovereign readiness by safeguarding Australia’s maritime approaches and sea lines of communication. More..... |
20 September New
MBA program to bolster skills and knowledge for AUKUSExecutives and senior managers from the defence and space sectors around Australia, the US and UK will begin a specially curated global program to help build a pipeline of talent across the AUKUS alliance. The first hand-picked cohort of students from the University of South Australia’s trailblazing Global Executive MBA in Defence and Space will begin the customised 18-month program this week. UniSA has partnered with the University of Exeter (UK) and Carnegie Mellon University (USA) to launch the Global Executive MBA in Defence and Space, the first program of its kind in Australia tailored to meet the most pressing challenges facing the two sectors. More..... |
20 September AUKUS
security pact should expand to include space monitoring:
MITREPooling capabilities for space domain awareness (SDA) as part of AUKUS would not only improve trilateral security, but also lay the groundwork for a global network for keeping tabs on satellites and dangerous space debris in Earth and, eventually, cislunar orbits, according to a new report by The MITRE Corporation. “The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom have formed a pact for naval nuclear propulsion information sharing named AUKUS. If modeled similarly, this trilateral alliance could have a lot of promise to help tackle the challenges that make the space environment less stable,” explains the report. More..... |
19 September Team
effort needed to fight 'truth decay'Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell examined the impacts of five major disruptions – strategic, economic, diplomatic, climatic and informatic – on our ability to deter conflict, in an address at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute’s Disruption and Deterrence conference on September 14. We are living in an increasingly post-truth world where perceptions and emotions often trump facts, and this “truth decay” is largely driven by emerging technological disruptions, according to Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell. More..... |
18 September HMAS
Maryborough II headed for decommissioning after 15 yearsRoyal Australian Navy Armidale Class patrol boat HMAS Maryborough II is awaiting decommissioning later this month in Queensland after 15 years of service. The Austral-built 56.8-metre-long HMAS Maryborough II is touring the Fraser Coast Region, Bundaberg and Maryborough in Queensland, ahead of its decommissioning on 28 September 2023. It was originally commissioned in December 2007 and used for Operation Sovereign Borders, fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations working with the Australian Border Force. More..... |
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18 September New Video Show Details of Famed Carriers Lost in the Battle of Midway New images by Ocean Exploration Trust show in detail the wrecks of USS Yorktown (CV-10) and two Japanese aircraft carriers IJN Kaga and IJN Akagi sunk during the pivotal World War II Battle of Midway. “During over 43 hours at depth [using remotely operated vehicles], we methodically circumnavigated these historic wrecks, bringing to light many features in great detail, including their armament, battle, and sinking-related damage,” Daniel Wagner, the trust’s chief scientist, said in a statement. “Many antiaircraft guns were still pointing up, providing clues about the final moments on these iconic ships.” |
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16 September ADF | Defence Australia - Welcome Defence Australia - Home of the Australian Army, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force & Defence APS. |
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15 September Aussies
to pour $3B into US nuke boat yards, long-lead items for
AUKUS subsAustralia plans to make a $3 billion AUKUS investment in the US over the next five years for long-lead items and to help fund the expansion of American shipyards that will build and retro-fit Australia-bound Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack subs, Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead told Breaking Defense today. “It’s partly long-lead items but it’s also partly working on those yards where our submarines will come out of for us,” Mead said on his way out from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute conference here. More..... |
15 September Farewell
to a former ‘face of the Royal Navy’You may not know his name, but Tony Davidson inspired thousands of men and boys to join the Royal Navy. Or visit Navy Days. Or even learn about fitness and morale in the Senior Service. For most of the 1950s the then junior seaman, who has died aged 90, was the public face of the RN. Of hundreds of teenagers going through HMS St Vincent in Gosport in 1950, Tony was selected to be painted by A R Thompson of the Royal Academy. More..... |
15 September Experts
tackle important issues in the PhilippinesAn exchange of ideas was the aim of two conferences held on board HMAS Canberra in the Port of Manila during Indo-Pacific Endeavour. Legal experts engaged on issues of maritime security law, while down the passageway specialists in gender, peace and security discussed the role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts. More than 40 participants from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and ADF, and government agencies from both countries, gathered for the legal workshop. More..... |
14 September Recognising
76 years of Australian peacekeepingIn July 1947, with the embers of the Second World War still smouldering, the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) became a powder keg set to ignite as conflict erupted between the Dutch colonial government and its military and the Indonesian republicans. News of a strong offensive incursion by the Netherlands (Operatie Product) into parts of Sumatra and East and West Java raised concerns on the world stage. Calls for intervention by many nations, including Australia, led the United Nations (UN) to call for a cease-fire to halt the Netherlands government’s invasion of Republican territory, and provide an opportunity for mediation. More..... |
14 September R
U OK DayR U OK Day is a reminder that we can offer support to one another every day, the smallest exchanges can make the biggest difference. We encourage all of our people to ask their fellow shipmates, loved ones, friends, and those around them how they're doing, to take some time to check in, and if you or someone you know is in need of support to reach out. Explore the wide range of support services for YourADF members, families, reservists, veterans, ex-serving members and cadets at Defence Support Services..... |
14 September French-British
underwater drone proves de-mining ability, says ThalesRecent sea trials of a remotely operated underwater vehicle proved it is capable of neutralizing naval mines, a new milestone for the Franco-British Maritime Mine Countermeasures program, French firm Thales announced Wednesday. The program’s prime contractor and lead system integrator successfully demonstrated this final component of its system for the MMCM program, dubbed SLAM-F in France. More..... |
13 September Veteran
suicides royal commissioner shares fears his inquiry is
going unreported, unheardThe chair of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has taken the unusual step of addressing the National Press Club before his inquiry is complete. Commissioner Nick Kaldas said he made the decision to speak publicly, because the inquiry was failing to gain enough attention in the media or with politicians. "We've made a conscious decision to speak out at the moment because we're at a point where we feel that the issues we've uncovered have not been noticed, absorbed — people have not been that interested in them," Mr Kaldas said. More..... |
13 September South
Korea cleared to buy $5B worth of F-35sThe US State Department has formally approved the sale of 25 more F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to South Korea, with an estimated price tag of $5.06 billion. In a statement posted on the website of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), the Biden administration stated that the deal “will improve the Republic of Korea’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing credible defense capability to deter aggression in the region and ensure interoperability with U.S. forces.” More..... |
13 September Taiwan
says China is bolstering nearby coastal military bases
China is continuously bolstering its military bases along the coastline facing Taiwan, the self-ruled island’s Defense Ministry said in a report Tuesday, as Beijing steps up military activities around the territory it claims as its own. Taiwan said it will continue to monitor the Chinese activities around the island and bolster its defenses in response. Earlier on Tuesday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said it had spotted 22 Chinese warplanes and 20 warships near the island over the previous 24 hours — part of military harassment by Beijing, which hasn’t ruled out force to reunite the island with the mainland. More..... |
13 September Time
to re-establish the Royal Australian Fleet Auxiliary?On 14 December 1944, the Royal Australian Fleet Auxiliary freighting tanker Bishopdale was in the Philippines in San Pedro Bay refuelling Australian and Allied forces when it was attacked by a Japanese kamikaze aircraft. Able Seaman Gunner Stuart Savage opened fire but, despite the efforts of the defensively equipped merchant ship’s gunnery team, the dive bomber hit the forward mast and then struck the bridge, causing significant damage and fatally wounding Savage and two of his shipmates. The story of the Bishopdale and the fleet auxiliary is little known, but perhaps it’s time to reinvigorate the construct to support the future Royal Australian Navy. More..... |
13 September Opening
the hatches one last timeAs part of its final deployment, HMAS Maryborough welcomed more than 1600 visitors for a rare glimpse into life on board an Armidale-class patrol boat. Maryborough held an open day on September 10, while berthed alongside Southport Marina on the Gold Coast, ahead of preparations for its decommissioning later this month. During the open day, members of the crew gave visitors a tour of the ship that included a weapons and boarding party display, damage control firefighting equipment and an opportunity to ride in one of the ship’s two 7.2m jet rigid hull inflatable boats. More..... |
13 September Sailor
excited by sea of opportunitiesAn interest in travel and life at sea led Midshipman Sofia Dakin, from Queensland’s Gold Coast, to do an ADF Gap Year placement with the Navy. After four months at the world-class RAN College at HMAS Creswell, she and 22 other Gap Year trainees completed a month-long tour of Navy bases around Australia to demonstrate some of the career options on offer. The experience included 10 days on board HMAS Choules, an amphibious landing ship dock involved in Exercise Malabar off the NSW coast. More..... |
12 September Quantum
clocks could revolutionize precision warfare within a
decade: expertsWithin five to 10 years, clocks “a million times” more precise than GPS could improve accuracy, communications, and electronic warfare – without relying on an easily jammed satellite signal. What difference does a nanosecond make? If you’re using your phone’s GPS to find the nearest Starbucks, not much. But for satellites zipping along in low orbit at five miles per second, radio waves moving at the speed of light, or AI chips doing billions of calculations per second, being off by one billionth of a second actually matters. More..... |
12 September New
Zealand seeks new ships to replace ‘majority’ of naval fleetNew Zealand’s Defence Ministry has issued a request for information to replace nearly the entire naval fleet, which currently includes nine ships in six different classes. The Royal New Zealand Navy’s flagship — its 568-foot replenishment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa — has been in service for three years, but the remaining eight ships — two frigates, two inshore and two offshore patrol vessels, a sealift ship, and a dive and hydrographic ship — will reach the end of their service lives in the mid-2030s. More..... |
12 September Pacific
patrol ships begin third year deployed broadening their
missionRoyal Navy patrol ships will experiment with protecting underwater infrastructure and the collective security of the Indo-Pacific region as the third year of their ground-breaking mission begins. HMS Tamar and Spey’s programme until the end of 2023 continues to expand the effectiveness and utility of the Royal Navy’s Offshore Patrol Ships, deployed around the globe in key regions. More..... |
12 September Australia,
Philippines Commit to Strategic Partnership, Pledge Joint
PatrolsAustralia and the Philippines agreed to joint patrols in the South China Sea on Friday as the two countries elevated their ties to a strategic partnership. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Philippine President Bongbong Marcos inked several agreements and a joint declaration during their first-ever bilateral meeting in Manila amid tensions with China. More..... |
12 September From
the ocean to the snowFar from the ocean, skiers and snowboarders wrapped up another year on the slopes as part of the annual Navy Alpine Snowsports (NAS) Championships in Perisher Valley, NSW. Navy snow sports provides a forum for members of all ranks and roles to get together outside the workplace, enabling interaction across diverse communities. Sub-Lieutenant Sabrina Ting has skied her whole life and said the NAS community was like an extended family. “It’s my home away from home; a Navy family I get to create memories with each year,” she said. More..... |
12 September Fishing
for clear information in a sea of noiseQuantum sensors can produce unprecedented levels of data and increased fidelity. But the massive amounts of noise and information they produce can be difficult to process and understand. Enter Able Seaman Joe Toce and Signaller Andrew Lei – course mates from recently completed joint basic cyber training – who turned a complex equation into an algorithm that will hopefully make sense of quantum radar signals. It’s hoped the code can make sense of quantum sensor data to better estimate distance, velocity, size and direction of travel for an object. More..... |
12 September Steering
towards new capabilityRadio frequency technology has come a long way since the days of manually adjusting rabbit ears to get a TV signal – and it’s still improving. Dr Manik Attygalle is the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) lead on the MetaSteerers team, which has developed a low-profile, energy-efficient and steerable antenna system for Defence. “The performance metrics this technique achieves cannot be matched,” Dr Attygalle said. The planar system uses metasurfaces to steer radio frequency signals over a wide area at very high speeds. More..... |
11 September Engineers
Australia applauds Government’s investment in AUKUS
engineering education – but says more support is neededEngineers Australia has today welcomed the Government’s announcement of a $128.5 million investment over four years to fund 4,000 additional university places to help power the AUKUS workforce. Engineers Australia CEO, Romilly Madew AO, praised the Government for their commitment to addressing skills shortages in the engineering sector and acknowledging its significant role in strengthening Australia’s military defences. More..... |
11 September US
Congress misses critical opportunity to pass AUKUS
legislationA small number of US Republican congressmen are holding up the passage of critical legislation required for the AUKUS deal between the US, UK, and Australia to proceed. It’s just over two years since the deal was announced and more than six months since details of the nuclear-powered submarine deal for Australia were revealed, but a group of congressmen remain concerned about the US’s capacity to transfer the vessels to Australia, a move that has dragged Australia into a broader fight over US defence spending. More..... |
10 September HMAS
Stirling gifted 'freedom of entry to the city' in medieval
military parade ahead of AUKUS submarine roleWith swords drawn and drums beating, sailors from HMAS Stirling Naval Base were stopped in the street by Rockingham police on Saturday. In a military tradition dating back to medieval times, the officers stood down as rehearsed when presented with a ceremonial scroll declaring Rockingham's mayor and its residents had gifted HMAS Stirling "freedom of entry to the city". The theatrical parade saw hundreds of people line the streets to help celebrate the base's links to Rockingham. More..... |
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10 September OUR SEPTEMBER HERO  Vice
Admiral Robert Andrew Kevin WALLS AO RANDeputy Chief of Navy (1991) Commander Australian Fleet (1991 - 1993) Deputy Chief of Australian Defence Force (1995 - 1997) On 28 August 2023 Vice Admiral Robert Andrew Kevin Walls passed away after a long illness. He was an officer who developed into an insightful strategic thinker and made a significant contribution to the post-carrier RAN. Robert Walls was born at Colac, Victoria, on 15 March 1941 and was educated at country schools before joining the Royal Australian Navy College (RANC) when it was still at Flinders Naval Depot/HMAS Cerberus following the Depression-era strictures. Joining in 1955 his class was the last 13-year old entry. During his training the RANC was relocated to its original site at Jervis Bay, commissioning as HMAS Creswell in February 1958. The discipline at the RANC during the FND years could be harsh and young Cadet Midshipman Walls found it tough going at times and even contemplated leaving the College. Following graduation Rob Walls, who was also known by his initials ‘RAK’, initially went to sea in the training sloop HMAS Swan. In April 1959 he and his classmates left Australia to join the Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), Dartmouth, UK, for continuation training. (This fascinating story continues in our Hero Section..... ) |
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10 September NCIS: Sydney (CBS) Trailer HD CBS will take American viewers down under this fall with the CBS Original Series NCIS: SYDNEY, the first-ever international edition of the top-rated television franchise. Filmed against the spectacular backdrop of one of the world's most breathtaking harbor cities, the eight-episode season of NCIS: SYDNEY will air Mondays, beginning Monday, November 13 (10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ |
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09 September Royal
Navy hits drugs smugglers hard in double Caribbean bustA Royal Navy warship has seized more than a tonne of cocaine – worth more than £140m on the streets of Britain – following a successful operation against drug traffickers in the Caribbean Sea. HMS Dauntless, a Portsmouth-based warship hunted down a drugs-running go-fast and seized 1,230kg of cocaine, deploying her Wildcat helicopter, Royal Marines and a US Coast Guard team to stop and search the smugglers’ boat. In a second operation in the Caribbean Sea, the ship supported other US Law Enforcement Agencies in tracking a suspicious aircraft flying from Venezuela, and alerted ground forces who seized a further 550kg of cocaine. More..... |
08 September Aircraft
drone makes history landing on Royal Navy carrier at seaA pilotless plane has flown on and off a Royal Navy aircraft carrier for the first time. The W Autonomous Systems (WAS) drone flew from the Lizard Peninsula and on to the deck of HMS Prince of Wales off the Cornish coast, delivered supplies, then flew back in a milestone flight which points the way to the future of naval aviation. It’s a vital step along the way to operating crewless aircraft safely alongside F-35 Lightning jets and naval Merlin and Wildcat helicopters which are currently the backbone of the Fleet Air Arm. More..... |
08 September Chinese
Warships Shadow Canadian, U.S., Japanese Warships in East
China Sea, the Philippines Resupply Second Thomas ShoalA Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy guided-missile destroyer shadowed U.S., Japanese and Canadian warships as they conducted a trilateral exercise in the East China Sea on Wednesday according to an report by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Meanwhile, on Friday, the Philippines successfully carried out a resupply mission to its outpost at Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed Spratly Islands, despite opposing actions by China Coast Guard and Chinese Maritime Militia ships. More..... |
08 September North
Korea’s New Submarine Carries 10 Nuclear MissilesNorth Korea has revealed it's latest submarine, a "tactical nuclear attack submarine". The new submarine has been named "Hero Kim Gun-ok" and given the hull number 841. Our analysis indicates that it will be armed with ten missiles. Kim Jong Un was present for the launch of the North Korean Navy’s (KPN) latest submarine on September 6. The new submarine is actually a rebuilt Soviet-designed Romeo Class boat, but radically modernized. It has been named “Hero Kim Gun-ok” (김군옥영웅) and given the hull number 841. More..... |
08 September Defective
control: naval warfare in the Pacific in 2036ASPI’s annual conference takes place on 14–15 September at the National Convention Centre in Canberra. The theme is ‘Disruption and deterrence’. Effective deterrence, built upon a strong Australian Defence Force that works closely with allies and partners, will be a vital part of ensuring a sustainable strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific. The simultaneous disruptive power of rapid changes in technology carries risks and opportunities for Australia and its partners as they invest in superior capabilities and look to integrate them into a seamless force. The conference will bring together Australian government ministers, senior defence officials, leading industry figures and international experts to tackle these challenges and explore key trends and areas of innovation. More..... |
08 September Thinking
through the RAN’s surface combatant requirementsThe possible outcome of the review of the Royal Australian Navy’s surface combatant fleet has generated a fair amount of public commentary, some of which has focused much too closely on specific solutions. In particular, there has been much comment about so-called corvettes, with some commentators making a rather surprising leap from the high-level geopolitical and economic drivers outlined in the 2023 defence strategic review to the specific offerings of particular suppliers. There’s a very wide logic space to be traversed before any solution can be arrived at, and in this article I hope to map some of it out. More..... |
08 September Shore
diplomacy with Indian partnersMembers of the Royal Australian Naval College (RANC) have hosted a delegation from the Indian Navy as part of a relationship-building exercise between the regional partners. Indian sailors came ashore at HMAS Creswell, with a reciprocal cohort of RANC officer trainees touring Indian Navy Ships (INS) Kolkata and Sahyadri. The visit was part of the biennial exercise AUSINDEX, held this year in the East Australia Exercise Areas off the NSW coast. More..... |
08 September Join
the drive to save livesPersonnel have started rolling up their sleeves for this year’s Defence Blood Drive, launched in Canberra on September 1. Since the challenge started 15 years ago, Defence personnel have contributed more than 85,800 donations, improving the lives of about 257,500 Australians. This year, the ADF has invited the public to get involved by pledging their donation to a particular service, adding to Defence’s overall goal of 11,000 donations. More..... |
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07 September United States and Australia celebrate maintenance milestone On 26 June, US Navy and Australian industry celebrated the completion of the first ever deep maintenance activity on a US Navy MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ helicopter at Sikorsky Australia’s facilities in Nowra, NSW. |
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07 September Gold
stars and a full cupAnzac-class frigate HMAS Perth has been presented with Navy's most prestigious award, the Gloucester Cup, by West Australian Governor Chris Dawson. The ceremony was conducted at HMAS Stirling, Perth’s home port. Perth’s former Commanding Officer, Commander Tony Nagle, returned to receive the cup after passing command of Perth to Commander Jorge McKee on June 30. More..... |
07 September A
visit with heart in the PhilippinesAustralian Defence Force and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel paused after weeks of tactical training during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 (IPE23) to put smiles on children’s faces. Ship’s company from HMAS Canberra and embarked forces from 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment made a special visit the Asociacion De Damas orphanage in the Philippines. More..... |
06 September Age
shall not weary Legacy torch bearersIt’s been 26 years since 103-year-old Merle Hare’s husband died, but Legacy made sure she wasn’t left alone. Robert Hare was an Army anti-aircraft gunner in World War 2, and Legacy assisted Mrs Hare after his death when times were tough. Legacy provided social connection through invitations to concerts, Government House morning teas and lunches. “I had Legacy looking after me for quite a while,” Mrs Hare said. More..... |
04 September Navy
Veteran Turns 100, Reflects on World War II ServiceOn Thanksgiving morning, 1942, six women boarded a New York train bound for Bremerton, Wash. They were young with a patriotic drive that led them to enlist in the Navy during the height of World War II. At Bremerton, the women would serve as IBM programmers, punching paper cards that would be fed into the computational machines to crunch the numbers the Navy needed for everything from gun trajectories to mass logistics. Most of the women have since passed, but the legacy of their service is now kept alive by Winona Mullis. More..... |
04 September Building
a warfighting medical capabilityArmed Forces of the Philippines medical team members have been awarded certificates for completing the bespoke Maritime Resuscitation Casualty Care Training, held in HMAS Canberra during Exercise Alon. Seven hospital-based health personnel integrated with the training, completing the same theoretical and practical activities as ADF members, and delivering lessons in health care in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. More..... |
04 September Reconnecting
with family in the PhilippinesAustralians with Filipino heritage on board HMAS Canberra were excited to step off in Manila to reconnect with family. They were in the Philippines for Exercise Alon, a bilateral amphibious training activity part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour. The evening before the ship was due to come alongside, members were busy making plans to catch up with relatives and explore the city that remains close to their hearts. Australian Army cook Private Melanio Sager, 30, who grew up in Cairns after migrating to Australia when he was 13, said he was most looking forward to meeting up with his cousins. More..... |
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04 September Air and amphibious assault - Exercise Alon wraps up The exercise includes air, maritime amphibious and follow-on land operations, including the deployment of approximately 100 AFP personnel embarked in HMAS Canberra, the conduct of artillery and aviation live fire serials, and Joint Australian Army Training Team - Philippines training activities. |
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04 September Women
surge to the skiesNavy is sailing into a new era, with a record-breaking number of women taking to the skies. This year’s intake featured the largest number of women stepping into the role of Navy aviators and related technical roles, an unprecedented feat in the traditionally male-dominated arena. Commanding Officer 723 Squadron Commander Samuel Dale said it was an exhilarating shift. “The increasing number of women joining our ranks as aviators is indeed a promising sign for a stronger future,” Commander Dale said. More..... |
04 September Defence
masters degree opens doorsGaining lifelong skill sets and an impressive qualification she didn’t even realise was available to her, Chief Petty Officer Michelle Keygan, a self-described “kid from the bush”, is proof that you should never underestimate yourself. Hailing from the small country town of Kempsey, NSW, Chief Petty Officer Keygan’s interests were quickly sparked when a Defence Force recruiter came along just as she finished high school back in 2000. “I chose the role of maritime logistics at the time as it offered the most civilian-recognised qualifications, and it was only a four-year tenure that promised opportunity to travel,” she said. More..... |
01 September Following
the sun for space domain awarenessDefence Space Command commenced its support to the global Joint Task Force - Space Defence Commercial Operations (JCO) network on September 1. JCO is a US Space Force-led initiative using industry providers to deliver diverse, timely space domain awareness capabilities and drive critical partnerships. It aspires to be a global system, operating across three regional cells – America, Pacific and Meridian. 1 Space Surveillance Unit (1SSU) will commence site lead duties, leading to a planned broader JOC-Pacific Cell (JCO-PAC). More..... |
01 September Indian
sub makes Australian debutThe crew of Indian Navy submarine INS Vagir were warmly welcomed to Fleet Base West during the first deployment of an Indian submarine to Australia. HMAS Perth escorted Vagir to berth after it arrived in the vicinity on August 20. Commander Australian Submarine Force Commodore Tom Phillips said the visit would carry on the success of Exercise Malabar and AusIndex and strengthen the relationship between the Australian and Indian navies. More..... |
01 September Preparing
for the next 'big one'The Philippines is one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries. Its islands are frequently impacted by natural disasters like earthquakes, floods and typhoons. As the 10th anniversary of the Philippines’ worst natural disaster, Typhoon Haiyan – known locally as Super Typhoon Yolanda – approaches, the Australian Embassy hosted a humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) tabletop exercise in HMAS Canberra as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour. More..... |
01 September New
Chinese 10-Dash map sparks furor across Indo-Pacific:
Vietnam, India, Philippines, Malaysia Waves of anger spread across the South China Sea and India this week, following China’s publication of a new official map renewing its illegal claims to most of the sea and adding new claims along the Indian border. China’s latest hegemonic behavior appears in the form of what it calls the “new standard” map, published by China’s Ministry of Natural Resources on August 28. The new map repeats the 9 Dash Line claims made by China and rejected by the United Nations’ Law of the Sea tribunal, while also claiming new territory around Taiwan and to Inda’s north. More..... |
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News Archives:
For all news articles prior to 01 September 2023 go to our News Archive page |
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