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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the AUGUST edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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BROADSIDE - AUGUST 2025 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" arrows. |
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29 August Funding to properly recognise WWI gravesEvery Australian who served in the First World War deserves to be commemorated in a manner befitting their service. Yet the remains of many returned First World War veterans lie in unmarked graves, usually because they lacked the family or funds for a funeral. Families, Ex Service Organisations and community groups can now apply for grants of up to $620 per grave to establish a grave marker under the Marking (First World War) Private Graves (MPG) Grants Program. More..... |
27 August Navy’s
NAPS hits the road with new-look vanThe Naval Aviation Prospects Scheme (NAPS) has unveiled its new-look, purpose-built van to help inspire the next generation of aviators and technicians for Navy’s Fleet Air Arm (FAA). Established in 2007 to address critical shortages in the aircrew and aviation technician categories, NAPS has become one of the FAA’s most recognisable recruiting initiatives, regularly engaging with schools, careers expos and at high-profile public events such as air shows. More..... |
27 August Charting
a course for young Australians“You may leave Young Endeavour, but Young Endeavour will never leave you.” For more than three decades, that quote has resonated with the roughly 15,000 young Australians who have joined the Navy crew to sail this iconic tall ship. Sail Training Ship (STS) Young Endeavour was recently in Fremantle, Western Australia, for the first time in nearly a decade, midway through its last circumnavigation of the country. More..... |
26 August Trump,
Hegseth float renaming Defense Department to Department of
WarDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth said plans to rename his agency as the Department of War are “coming soon,” but it remains unclear whether the executive branch can make such a move without congressional permission. During a White House press event on Monday, Hegseth spoke about the deployment of National Guard troops throughout Washington, D.C., and along the southern U.S. border. President Donald Trump responded to the remarks by complimenting the service members but complaining that the Department of Defense name “didn’t sound good” to him. More..... |
26 August Australia
urged to give AUKUS sub 'commitments' to US in event of warA former top Pentagon official has urged Australia to give the United States more "concrete" commitments on how it would deploy Virginia-class nuclear powered submarines in the event of war, as the Defence Minister Richard Marles arrives in Washington DC for high level meetings with the Trump administration. Abraham Denmark — who served as senior AUKUS advisor to former US defense secretary Lloyd Austin — has penned a new report on the defence technology pact with Charles Edel, the Australia chair for US think tank the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). More..... |
26 August Newest
chief of naval operations assumes responsibilitiesThe U.S. Navy confirmed the 34th chief of naval operations during an assumption of office ceremony Monday, according to a Navy release. Adm. Daryl Caudle, who previously led U.S. Fleet Forces Command for nearly four years, replaced acting CNO Adm. James Kilby at an event at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. Kilby took over for Adm. Lisa Franchetti, whom President Trump dismissed in February without a stated reason. More..... |
26 August China
debuts new warship, boosts South Pacific presenceChina has debuted yet another new warship built to launch amphibious landings in military exercises held this month. China’s naval branch, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy, announced it launched its fourth Type 075 Amphibious Assault Ship, CNS Hubei, during training exercises staged in the South China Sea. The Type 075 was built to conduct amphibious landings. It can deploy troops from helicopters while offloading landing craft, tanks and armored vehicles from its interior. More..... |
26 August Australia
Could Deploy Forces to Philippine Bases in New AgreementAustralian forces will be able to access Philippine military bases via an upcoming defense cooperation agreement that aims to bolster the Southeast Asian nation’s defense amid tensions in the South China Sea. Australian Minister of Defense Richard Marles and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro pledged to upgrade ties last week during the second Australia-Philippines defense ministerial meeting in Manila. The plan eyes Australian investment and use of Philippine defense infrastructure at select locations across the archipelago. More..... |
26 August U.S.,
Allied Forces Join for Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2025Maritime forces from Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Air Force (RAAF), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal New Zealand Navy, Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy, U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps begin multilateral maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard 2025 with an opening ceremony on Aug. 25. The cooperative exercise brings together service members from five Indo-Pacific nations to enhance their skills in maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare, air warfare, and advanced maneuvering scenarios to improve overall interoperability between the forces. More..... |
25 August Last
living link to tragedy of HMAS Canberra IOn a still and cloudy afternoon, Leading Stoker Des Jones was laid to rest, carried to his gravesite on the shoulders of sailors from HMAS Canberra III. At 102, he was the last surviving member of the first HMAS Canberra I, sunk at the Battle of Savo Island during World War 2. The peace during the funeral on August 15 at the Mulwala Lawn Cemetery was a far cry from that fateful day in which Canberra was struck more than 20 times by torpedoes and shellfire in less than two minutes. More..... |
25 August VLS
cells, diesel engines among reclaimed ex-HMAS Anzac
equipmentCritical military equipment has been reclaimed from decommissioned frigate ex-HMAS Anzac and put into Royal Australian Navy storage to support the operational readiness of the Anzac class. Ex-HMAS Anzac’s vertical launch missile system, propulsion diesel engines, propellers, drive train components and other platform and combat systems were amongst the essential equipment harvested, according to a statement published by Babcock Australasia. More..... |
25 August Award
finalist driving Navy changeWe sat down with Petty Officer Kelsie Wright, one of eight finalists for 2025 Sailor of the Year, to chat about her Navy career, life, and what it means to be a finalist. The Harbour Bridge climb, an Amazing Race in Sydney and a walk with the Governor-General – as a Sailor of the Year finalist, Petty Officer Kelsie Wright embraced these opportunities. The communications information systems sailor also relished the chance to network with colleagues and Navy’s leaders. More..... |
24 August Philippines,
Australia train retaking island in joint drillsForces from the Philippines and Australia staged a large-scale military drill Sunday, simulating the retaking of an enemy-held island off the quiet coastal town that faces the contested South China Sea. Colored smoke from grenades filled the horizon as troops aboard small assault boats stormed the beach, reenacting an operation to reclaim an island seized by a fictional adversary. Overhead, the Royal Australian Air Force’s EA-18G Growler and the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50 jets roared past, delivering close air support. More..... |
23 August World
War II’s last American ace dies at 103Amid the 80th anniversary of World War II’s end comes the death of what is believed to be America’s last surviving ace, Don McPherson. He was 103. McPherson stands out among the “Greatest Generation” as the last American pilot credited with five aerial victories to earn the status of “ace.” Perhaps appropriately, he got them all during the war’s last major campaign: Okinawa. More..... |
22 August US
Navy sailor convicted for selling military secrets to ChinaAn active-duty U.S. Navy sailor was convicted of espionage by a federal jury on Wednesday, according to a Department of Justice press release. Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Jinchao Wei, 25, who was stationed at Naval Base San Diego, sold Navy secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer for $12,000 over the course of 18 months. More..... |
22 August ADF,
Royal Navy remotely operate uncrewed underwater vehicle in
key milestoneThe Australian Defence Force and United Kingdom’s Royal Navy have collaborated to remotely operate a Royal Navy’s extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicle, experimental vessel Excalibur, on the other side of the world. As part of AUKUS Pillar 2’s Maritime Big Play series, the control of the UK XLUUV in UK waters was executed during Exercise Talisman Sabre in July from a remote operating centre in Australia, more than 10,000 miles from Excalibur’s home in Plymouth. More..... |
22 August ‘Right
place, right time’ for Indigenous recruitsWhile it is an opportunity many officers and sailors wait their entire careers for, the newest participants of the Navy Indigenous Development Program (NIDP) happened to be in the ‘right place, at the right time’, being welcomed aboard a major US warship in just their second week on the job. As USS Rushmore pulled alongside in Cairns, the US Whidbey Island-class Landing Ship welcomed aboard the new NIDP recruits to witness what life was like at sea with one of our most trusted allies. More..... |
21 August China
Deploys Armed Small Boats to Second Thomas ShoalArmed China Coast Guard small boats have deployed to Second Thomas Shoal, reinforcing Beijing’s presence in the area following recent tensions around the disputed areas of the South China Sea, according to the Philippine military. An Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) maritime domain awareness (MDA) patrol on Wednesday observed 11 China Coast Guard watercraft forces exercising at Second Thomas Shoal with several armed fast boats and rigid-hulled inflatable boats. More..... |
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21 August 2025 Sailor of the Year finalist Amanda Prins Check out our 2025 Sailor of the Year finalist Leading Seaman Communications Information Systems Sailor, Amanda Prins. |
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20 August North
Korea Guided-Missile Destroyer Choe Hyon Moves to Next
Phase, Ship Could be Armed with Nuclear WeaponsThe modernization and arming of a North Korean destroyer with nuclear weapons is on schedule and is expected to progress to the next phase of trials in October, according to leader Kim Jong Un. Kim visited destroyer Choe Hyon’s (51) on Monday and was briefed by senior military leaders on the 5,000-ton destroyer’s various systems, a Tuesday report by state media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said. More..... |
20 August 12-hour
Fire Aboard USS New Orleans Extinguished, 2 Sailors with
Minor InjuriesA fire that burned for 12 hours aboard the amphibious warship USS New Orleans (LPD-18) off Okinawa, Japan, was declared extinguished early Thursday morning local time, U.S. 7th Fleet announced. The 25,000-ton warship is now anchored near the White Beach Naval Facility on Okinawa, according to a statement from the Japan-based fleet. “The fire began at approximately 4 p.m., Aug. 20. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. More..... |
20 August Rebuilding
through artChief Petty Officer Pete Morrison, originally from the United States, has been in the military for the majority of his adult life. He recently served as a joint communications watch officer at HMAS Harman. It was an exhausting role, with 12-hour shifts and the unrelenting responsibility of responding to communication issues across all three branches of the military. “Anytime the phone rang, it wasn’t someone ringing to say ‘hi’, it was someone with a problem,” Chief Petty Officer Morrison said. More..... |
19 August Australian
Navy destroyer joins military exercise with Philippines and
Canada in South China SeaAn Australian Navy destroyer has joined ships from the Philippines and Canada for a joint sail in the South China Sea, an area of flaring tensions following a collision between two Chinese vessels last week. The Philippine frigate BRP Jose Rizal, Australian ship HMAS Brisbane and Canadian frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec were participating in the operation, which a Philippine military official said was not directed at any country. More..... |
19 August In
the 21st century, space is the new battlefieldAs Russia held its Victory Day parade this year, hackers backing the Kremlin hijacked an orbiting satellite that provides television service to Ukraine. Instead of normal programing, Ukrainian viewers saw parade footage beamed in from Moscow: waves of tanks, soldiers and weaponry. The message was meant to intimidate and was an illustration that 21st-century war is waged not just on land, sea and air but also in cyberspace and the reaches of outer space. More..... |
19 August A
heartfelt return to PalawanIt is not often Australian Defence Force members get to deploy overseas on operations or exercises only to find themselves back in the neighbourhood they grew up in. But that is precisely what imagery specialist Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez Jr experienced on his recent deployment to the Philippines for Exercise Alon 25. More..... |
18 August Are
you the child or grandchild of a Vietnam veteran?Applications are now open for the 2026 round of the Long Tan Bursary. The children and grandchildren of Vietnam veterans can apply for up to $12,000 over 3 years to assist with the cost of their education at an Australian university, TAFE college or registered training organisation. The bursary scheme is named after the Battle of Long Tan, one of the largest battles fought by Australians in the Vietnam War, a day now commemorated as Vietnam Veterans’ Day. More..... |
16 August Australia,
Philippines launch largest military exercises near South
China SeaAustralia and the Philippines launched their largest joint military exercise on Friday to bolster their readiness and joint warfighting capabilities to respond to complex regional security challenges. Exercise Alon will involve over 3,600 combined personnel, including participation from the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Marine Corps’ Marine Rotation Force – Darwin. More..... |
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16 August Exercise ALON 2025 Exercise ALON 25 is a bilateral training activity planned and led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Australian Defence Force, and is the largest overseas military exercise for Australia in 2025. |
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15 August Invictus
Australia Adaptive Sports Program 2026 – call for
participantsInvictus Australia is pleased to announce that Expressions of Interest are now open for the 2026 Adaptive Sports Program (ASP). The ASP is the pathway to participation in the Warrior Games and Invictus Games, which offer veterans the opportunity to rediscover purpose, build confidence and connect with others who share similar experiences. More..... |
14 August UK-French drone cleans warships quicker – no dry
dock, divers or downtime neededThe UK and France have come together to develop a new, quicker and cheaper way of cleaning warships that uses a drone to wash a vessel – avoiding lengthy and costly periods in dry dock. The hull of the French navy's flagship FS Charles de Gaulle was inspected and cleaned without the need for using expert divers with specialist equipment after harnessing the latest underwater technology. More..... |
14 August US
briefly deploys warships after Chinese military ships’
collisionThe U.S. deployed two warships Wednesday in a disputed South China Sea shoal where two Chinese ships collided earlier in the week while trying to drive away a smaller Philippine ship in a high-seas accident that raised alarms about maritime safety. Both China and the Philippines claim Scarborough Shoal and other outcroppings in the South China Sea. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay overlapping claims in the contested waters. More..... |
14 August Sydney
sailor's coin collection spans the globeOn HMAS Sydney, Leading Seaman Adam Hamburger – known as 'Burgs' to his shipmates – has a unique tradition. Every day he carries a different 'Coin of the Day'. Today’s choice is a memorable one: a sandwich-shaped Challenge Coin from USS Shoup. While one side features the letters 'USN' (United States Navy), the other features eggs and mince on a sandwich. Collectable Challenge Coins are frequently exchanged between naval personnel, with most coins costing between $20 and $40. More..... |
14 August Quantum
science guides new way of navigatingThe future of navigation might rely not on satellites but on sub-atomic particles. Defence scientists are working on cutting-edge quantum technologies that could one day provide the Navy with highly secure, satellite-independent navigation and timing systems. Looking for a way to avoid the threat of Global Positioning System (GPS) signal interference gives Nicole Blaess a clear sense of purpose. More..... |
13 August PNG
welcomes humanitarian missionThe thrum of engines from the USS Pearl Harbor echoed across the Port of Lae, PNG, signalling the start of Pacific Partnership - the US Navy’s largest annual humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission in the Indo-Pacific region. Against a backdrop of mist-draped mountains, palm-fringed roads and the hum of local markets, Australian Defence Force personnel stepped ashore with partner nations to work with PNG communities during two weeks of health, engineering and cultural engagement activities. More..... |
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12 August HMAS Sydney returns home HMAS Sydney has returned to its home port of Sydney following a busy regional presence deployment. The guided missile destroyer and its crew sailed across the Indo-Pacific, representing Australia and contributing to regional security. |
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12 August Finalist
in a pretty cool NavyOne of eight 2025 Sailor of the Year finalists, Petty Officer Amanda Prins, chats about her Navy career, life and what it means to be nominated. Most afternoons you'll find Petty Officer Amanda Prins in her driveway, teaching her young son skateboarding. "He's just started lessons and we're taking a few tumbles here and there," the energetic communications information systems (CIS) sailor laughed. "But it’s just about being outdoors and getting the kids active." More..... |
12 August Expedition
Reveals Thirteen Shipwrecks from WWII Battles off
Guadalcanal A multinational expedition led by the Ocean Exploration Trust aboard the Exploration Vessel (E/V) Nautilus has completed a groundbreaking archaeological survey of more than a dozen World War II era shipwrecks in Iron Bottom Sound, August 1, 2025. “It was wonderful to return to Iron Bottom Sound, where we discovered Japanese, Australian, and American warships over 34 years ago,” said Dr. Robert Ballard, President of Ocean Exploration Trust. More..... |
12 August Australia
spends $500m on Papua New Guinea's Lombrum naval base
expansionAustralian taxpayers have spent around half a billion dollars to fund the expansion of Papua New Guinea's Lombrum naval base — well over double the $175 million price tag originally flagged by the federal government. The Defence Minister Richard Marles revealed the cost blowout after joining PNG Prime Minister James Marape at a rain-soaked ceremony on Manus Island to celebrate the return of the strategically critical asset. More..... |
12 August Australian
Navy Joins Major Carrier Drills in Philippine SeaIn a significant display of allied maritime power, three aircraft carriers from the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan sailed in formation in the North Philippine Sea, joined by naval forces from six nations — including Australia. The multinational exercise, running until 12 August, is designed to strengthen cross-deck operations, anti-submarine warfare, and joint force interoperability in the Indo-Pacific. More..... |
12 August Chinese
research ships in US Arctic draw Coast Guard responseThe U.S. Coast Guard responded last week to two Chinese research vessels that entered U.S. Arctic territory, amid what Coast Guard officials called “increased activity” by such ships in the region in recent years. The Coast Guard deployed a C-130J Hercules aircraft from Air Station Kodiak in response to two Chinese research vessels, Ji Di and Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di, transiting the Bering Sea on Aug. 5, according to a release. More..... |
11 August AUKUS
exercise sees Royal Navy uncrewed submarine controlled from
across the worldThe Royal Navy successfully tested the ability to communicate with Experimental Vessel (XV) Excalibur, the Royal Navy’s Extra Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV), while submerged on the other side of the world. This is the first time UK and Australia, as part of AUKUS Pillar II, have demonstrated XLUUV interchangeability as a single fighting force. More..... |
11 August Young
Navy engineers design smarter, safer solutionsTwo young Navy officers are proving that innovation and engineering excellence go hand-in-hand, thanks to the support of the Navy’s Centre for Innovation – South (CFI-S). Sub-Lieutenants Sarah Battenally and Louis Von Richter, both studying at the Engineering Officer Application Course (EOAC), are leading the charge in developing practical, low-cost solutions for real-world Navy challenges – designs that are already making an impact in training environments. More..... |
11 August Uniform
to uni – supporting veterans into higher educationThere is no doubt the Australian Defence Force is an incredible training ground for young Australians to launch their careers. The unique nature of service means that current and former serving personnel have skills like leadership, teamwork, agility and the ability to work under pressure; all assets that translate to the civilian workplace, no matter the industry. More..... |
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11 August Chinese Warship, Cutter Collide in South China Sea A Chinese cutter and guided-missile destroyer collided with each other in the South China Sea on Monday during a botched blockade attempt of Philippine Coast Guard vessels ten nautical miles off Scarborough Shoal in one of the most severe incidents among Chinese forces to date. Just before the incident, Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessels responded to reports of harassment and “hazardous maneuvers” against Philippine fishing vessels around the contested maritime feature. |
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08 August ‘Irregular’
Chinese Flotilla Spotted in Luzon StraitA flotilla of three Chinese cutters was spotted near the waters of Manila’s northernmost island chain, prompting the Philippine Coast Guard to track their movements in the Luzon Strait. The agency utilized its Canadian-provided dark vessel detection system to detect and observe cutters Hailing (3301), Dahao (3304) and Zhongjian (4304), Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said in a statement. More..... |
08 August Busy
schedule of regional engagements continuesRoyal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Brisbane has departed the Port of Townsville to begin the third Regional Presence Deployment (RPD) for 2025. She will participate in multinational activities including Exercise Alon, conduct port visits to the Philippines and Japan, and operate alongside regional partners to enhance cooperation and maritime interoperability. More..... |
08 August Drone
trial points to game changer for NavyNavy ships may soon receive crucial stores without having to launch a helicopter or come off task, thanks to an innovative drone delivery system tested during Exercise Talisman Sabre 25. The remotely piloted aircraft system can carry up to a 25kg underslung payload with a maximum 40-minute flight time and a maximum 15km operating range. More..... |
08 August Largest
iteration of Talisman Sabre comes to an endAfter three weeks of intensive training and high-end warfighting scenarios across Australia, and for the first time in Papua New Guinea, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 has officially ended. The 11th iteration included live-fire and land combat exercises, amphibious landings, air combat and large-scale maritime activities. Chief of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones said the scale of this year’s exercise was unprecedented. More..... |
OUR AUGUST HERO Commodore
James Cairns MORROW, CBE DSO DSC MiDJames Cairns 'Copper' Morrow was born on 6 February 1905 at Brunswick, Melbourne. He joined the Royal Australian Naval College, Jervis Bay, Federal Capital Territory in 1919. He was nicknamed 'Copper' because of the colour of his hair. In 1938 he took command of the destroyer HMAS Voyager, which was deployed to the Mediterranean shortly after World War II began. Voyager was part of the famous "Australian Scrap Iron Flotilla". She took the honour of being the first Australian ship to sink a submarine. James was also the commissioning Captain of HMAS Arunta (I). On 11 August 1942 Arunta began escorting convoys and other shipping between Australia and New Guinea. On 29 August it experienced its first contact with the enemy when it destroyed by depth charge the Japanese Submarine RO33 off Port Moresby. For his wartime service James was awarded the DSO, DSC and MiD. Continue reading about this true Australian Navy Hero..... |
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07 August Des
Jones, the final survivor of HMAS Canberra has diedThe last man standing from the HMAS Canberra, Yarrawonga’s Des Jones has sadly passed away at the age of 102, three months after being honoured at the Lest We Forget Harbour Sunset Tribute in Sydney. Des was well-known for surviving the 1942 battle of Savo Island as a 19-year-old sailor. At 17, Des joined the Royal Australian Navy, making his way up the stoker ranks. More..... |
07 August Adelaide
makes waves in HobartBlue skies and sunshine made for a stunning backdrop as the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Canberra-class Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) HMAS Adelaide III sailed up the River Derwent and into the Port of Hobart for a five-day port visit. The visit provided locals with an opportunity to explore the ship’s impressive capabilities during an open day that welcomed more than 2000 members of the public on board to learn about the critical role Navy plays in protecting Australia’s way of life, on, under and above the sea. More..... |
07 August Writing
for Navy’s futureThe Chief of Navy Essay Competition aims to promote knowledge of and interest in a thinking, fighting Australian Navy. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Australian Naval Institute (ANI) are looking for original thinkers who, through their work, promote discussion about the future of the RAN. The competition is open to ADF members as well as staff at the Department of Defence, defence industry members and the public. More..... |
06 August Providing
a valuable contribution to US-led exerciseThe Australian Defence Force (ADF) has concluded a successful deployment of personnel to Papua New Guinea as part of Exercise Pacific Partnership 2025. This United States-led activity, in its 21st iteration, consisted of visits to Pacific nations by United States Navy ships and military personnel from Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. The ADF deployed five personnel aboard the USS Pearl Harbor and USS John L Canley for the exercise. More..... |
05 August Australia
chooses big, heavily armed Japanese frigatesby Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at ASPI If all goes to plan, Australia will receive its first made-in-Japan frigate in 2029. The choice of the upgraded Mogami design of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, announced today, means the Royal Australian Navy will replace its fading Anzac-class general-purpose frigates with much larger ships that need fewer crew members and carry far more weapons. The second and third ships of the new class are also due to come from a Japanese shipyard, then up to eight are to be built at Henderson, Western Australia. More..... |
05 August Australia
selects Japan’s Mogami frigate in $6.5B dealAustralia has selected Japan’s improved Mogami-class frigate design for its future fleet of general-purpose frigates, in a deal with further cements ties between the two US Indo-Pacific allies and gives Japan its first major defense export. “Following a rigorous and competitive tender process, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Mogami-class frigate was assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defence Force (ADF),” said the Australian Defence Department in a media release. More..... |
04 August Stokers
supply engineering solutions for SydneyKnown affectionately as stokers, after the old days of stoking coal-fired boilers and steam engines, the 44 people who make up the Marine Engineering Department on board HMAS Sydney are in charge of everything that brings the ship to life. At the head of the department is Lieutenant Commander James Stahlhut, who likes to explain his job as "basically supporting a small town", as his team maintains the electricity, air-conditioning, sewerage and fresh water needed for life at sea. More..... |
04 August TGIF
never felt so good for HMAS SydneyFor the 240-strong crew of HMAS Sydney, Friday August 1 wasn’t just the end of the week – it was the long-awaited return home after four-and-a-half months at sea. Sailing into Fleet Base East in Sydney Harbour, the air warfare destroyer wrapped up a successful regional presence deployment across the Indo-Pacific region, strengthening Australia’s security partnerships and reinforcing the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) role in the region. More..... |
04 August Biggest
recruitment surge in more than a decadeNew figures show Defence has grown by more than 1800 personnel from this time last year, ahead of numbers needed to grow the force to 69,000 by the early 2030s. More than 7000 personnel joined the permanent and reserve force last financial year, the highest number in 15 years. More..... |
04 August Access
matters – supporting veterans and their assistance dogsThis International Assistance Dog Week (3-9 August) we are reminding business operators across the country of the importance of providing access to veterans accompanied by their trained and accredited assistance dogs. Veterans with a trained assistance dog are entitled to the same public access as a person, which means the dog can go everywhere its human can go. More..... |
01 August NATO
sends warships to patrol Arctic watersNATO has deployed a maritime task group made up of Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, and German vessels to boost its maritime presence in the Arctic and High North. The NATO task group will conduct anti-submarine activities designed to protect critical sea lines of communication and ensure freedom of navigation in the region as well as routine patrols. More..... |
01 August Espionage
costs Australia more than $12.5 billion a year: ASIO shows
us the receiptsSpying by nation states is not new, and despite our geography, Australia has never been immune. This was made abundantly clear in a unique study, released last night by Director-General of Security Mike Burgess. Thanks to this study, Australians now have a sophisticated estimate of the cost of espionage directed against our governments, businesses and universities: at least $12.5 billion in just a single year. More..... |
01 August DVA welcomes new Veteran Family Advocate
CommissionerMs Annabelle Wilson, a widow of a veteran, has been appointed as the new Veteran Family Advocate Commissioner, commencing on 18 August 2025. DVA welcomes Ms Wilson to the role as a highly qualified advocate with a strong drive and sense of stewardship as the former Chief Operating Officer at Melbourne Legacy and Interim Board Member at the Institute of Veterans Advocacy among various other collaborative community engagement roles within the veteran and defence landscape. More..... |
01 August Defence
emblems reflect new reignDefence has begun updating digital images, brand marks and logos bearing Queen Elizabeth II’s St Edward’s Crown after service chiefs approved new versions featuring King Charles III’s Tudor Crown. The new pattern comes into effect from August 1. Digital uses, including website, intranet pages, social media platforms, Microsoft Office templates, Outlook signatures and brand guidelines, will be among the first to be updated. More..... |
01 August Project
of Concern Summit held on Collins subsA Project of Concern Summit was held in Canberra on Wednesday (30 July) to support the sustainment of Australia’s Collins class submarines. Minister for Finance Katy Gallagher and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, convened the Summit that was attended by government and industry representatives. The Australian government has committed up to $5 billion over the next decade to extend the life of the Collins class. More..... |
01 August Black
Tot Day: The end of the rum rationSailors the world over will raise a toast to mark the moment a 230-year-old Royal Navy tradition ended when they observe the 55th anniversary of Black Tot Day – marking the date the official daily rum ration was scrapped. Black Tot Day became an annual tradition when, in 1970, the centuries-old custom was ended as part of a modernisation of the Royal Navy. More..... |
01 August Intelligence
reveals scale of China's base-building in the South China
SeaChina has built a 3,200-hectare network of island military bases in the South China Sea, some of which are now capable of launching nuclear bombers, intelligence reveals. The latest satellite images tracked by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) show the true extent of China's rapid expansion across the region. More..... |
01 August Honouring
a Fremantle-class legend at TownsvilleOn a bright North Queensland morning, the former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat HMAS Townsville II made its final journey up Ross Creek, finding a new home at the Townsville Maritime Museum. For locals and Navy veterans, the occasion marked the celebrated return of one of only two surviving Fremantle-class patrol boats, whose service from 1981 to 2007 left an enduring legacy. More..... |
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