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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the MAY edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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BROADSIDE - MAY 2026 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" arrows. |
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29 May Australia
announces large cargo ship ANL Kokoda as first vessel in
Maritime Strategic FleetThe Australian Government has announced it has secured the first vessel in its Maritime Strategic Fleet, the ANL Kokoda. The ANL Kokoda, a large cargo ship, will be the first to participate in the Strategic Fleet Pilot Program, as Australia continues to work with industry to procure additional vessels for Australia’s maritime capacity. More.... |
29 May Logan
local succeeds at seaThose passionate about technology and maintaining computer systems are aware of the jokes that go with it. But communications specialist Able Seaman Michael Cunningham wears this moniker like a badge of honour. “It’s cool to be a nerd. Especially in this day and age,” he said. More.... |
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29 May Weaving Indigenous Culture into Navy National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2026 takes place from 27 May to 3 June and recognises the importance of building respectful relationships between First Nations peoples and non‑Indigenous Australians. The week marks two significant milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey: the 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. This year’s theme, ‘All In’, is a call for shared responsibility and practical action. |
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29 May Painting
a way through serviceWhen Commander Andrew Littlejohn paints a picture, technical aspects like colour theory and perspective are his focus to develop skill, more so than an underlying message. “What I prefer to do is more representational. I'm not trying to push a narrative or get things out,” he said. More.... |
28 May Tablelands
teacher inspires life of serviceHow does a 23-year-old sweet potato farmer from North Queensland’s Atherton tablelands end up on an Anzac-class frigate in the middle of the South China Sea? For communications specialist Able Seaman Matthew Faber, it was the dedication and guidance of a high school teacher that inspired him to serve. More.... |
28 May Rest,
recovery and readinessHealthcare professionals are not immune to the psychological toll of trauma. This was a key message discussed by Captain Ian Young during his lecture at the 94th Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Annual Scientific Congress in early May. “Surgeons and health professionals in general think they are immune because they deal with trauma or blood, guts and gore,” he said. More.... |
27 May Family
of Victoria Cross hero Cameron Baird issues heartfelt thanks
after government backflip on travel allowanceThe family of Victoria Cross hero Cameron Baird has thanked Australians after the Albanese government reversed its decision to remove their travel allowance following backlash from the veteran community. More.... |
27 May Being
there for the moments that matterGrowing up in Williamstown, Victoria, Lieutenant Ryan Hanaphy remembers the pride and excitement of seeing Anzac-class frigates built in his hometown. Years later, that childhood connection came full circle when he was posted to HMAS Toowoomba shortly before the birth of his second child. That excitement quickly turned to concern when he learned the ship would embark on a near six‑month regional presence deployment across East and South-East Asia, meaning he would likely miss his daughter’s birth. More.... |
27 May Defence
personnel, veterans slugged up to $130k tax on home loansAustralia’s serving personnel and veterans are paying up to $130,000 extra on their home loans because the government restricts a key housing scheme to just three lenders, with a new seven-year deal set to entrench the arrangement until 2033. But a little-known structural flaw in the way the scheme is run means many are paying far more than they should, while others are locked out of the benefit altogether. More.... |
27 May Australian
industry surges into Virginia Class submarine supply chainASC announced more than 60 businesses have progressed through a national qualification program to support the build of Virginia Class submarines. The milestone, announced at the Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference (IODS) in Perth this week, highlights Western Australia’s growing role in AUKUS and ASC’s work to uplift local suppliers to compete in the US submarine supply chain. More.... |
26 May Navy
chief says Chinese flotilla in Tasman Sea stirred anxiety
and anger in Australia, NZAustralia's Chief of Navy says China stirred "anger" in New Zealand when it sent a powerful naval flotilla into the Tasman Sea last year, as well as building political support in Australia for increased defence spending. Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, who is due to become the new Chief of the Defence Force within weeks, also delivered a forceful defence of AUKUS, urging critics not to "politicise" the federal government's ambitious push for nuclear-powered submarines. More.... |
26 May South
Korea Announces Plan to Build Domestic Nuclear Attack BoatSouth Korea will build a new class of nuclear-powered attack boats to counter North Korea’s growing missile submarine threat, Seoul announced Tuesday. The nuclear submarines “will be developed and constructed entirely within the Republic of Korea,” reads a Ministry of National Defense document published Tuesday. More.... |
26 May USNI
News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 26, 2026These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of May 26, 2026, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. More.... |
26 May Chinese
Carrier Liaoning Near Philippines, USS George Washington
Leaves Yokosuka Ahead of Spring PatrolThe People’s Liberation Army Navy’s Liaoning Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Philippine Sea east of Luzon, Japan’s Joint Staff Office said Tuesday. The Liaoning Carrier Strike Group was spotted Monday around 880 kilometers southwest of Okinotori Island, Japan’s southernmost territory. More.... |
26 May Tamworth
sailor drives innovation at seaTamworth isn’t just famous for country music. It’s also known as the birthplace of highly skilled specialist sailors. This includes Electronics Technician Petty Officer Joshua Guy, who is at the vanguard of driving innovation and implementing emerging technology at sea. More.... |
25 May Shared
purpose across ranksThe Australian Defence College in Canberra hosted 130 personnel from Navy, Army and Air Force for the Chief of the Defence Force Non‑Commissioned Officer (NCO) Leadership Forum for three days in April. During the event, participants engaged directly with senior ADF leaders to explore the theme, ‘Integrated Identity: A Shared Endeavour’. More.... |
25 May A
debt of thanks to the ''lucky country''A proud child of two nations, faithful in the service of one. HMAS Toowoomba Assistant Weapons Engineering Officer Sub-Lieutenant Samuel Mendiola Urzua beams with pride when speaking of his Mexican heritage. “I’m proud to be Mexican. It’s something my parents have fought hard to instil in us. More.... |
22 May The
US Navy is full speed ahead on building a laser fleetOperation Epic Fury may have strengthened the case for directed energy weapons, but the U.S. Navy’s dream of putting “a laser on every ship” may take significantly longer than expected to realize. In a posture statement delivered to the House Armed Services Committee on May 14, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle delivered a forceful argument for why high-energy laser weapons are a necessity for the sea service. More.... |
22 May AI-powered
tool helps Navy talk thousands of sailors out of leavingAI-powered “decision support tools” are helping the U.S. Navy hang on to more of its highest-priority sailors — with the help of commanders authorized to persuade and offer flexibility incentives. In the little more than a year since the service launched the “Full Power Navy” pilot program in February 2025, leaders have “converted” 3,300 sailors who had begun the process of separating, convincing them to re-up instead. More.... |
21 May Toowoomba
marks legacy at seaFor 85 years, the name Toowoomba has been synonymous with Australia’s presence in the Indo-Pacific. Flying under the motto ‘Fearless’ and the ‘wattle and violet’ Purple Pony livery of the Queensland city for which she’s named, the vessel has been patrolling Australia’s northern approaches since 1941. More.... |
21 May Boarding
teams sharpen skills at seaOperating far from home in a complex maritime environment demands sharp skills, disciplined teamwork and absolute trust between partners. For Royal Australian Navy and Royal Canadian Navy boarding teams operating in the South China Sea, maintaining readiness was achieved through realistic training and close cooperation with like‑minded navies. More.... |
21 May Sailors
apply creativity to undersea capabilityThe Maritime Geospatial Warfare Unit (MGWU) has completed a comprehensive force generation (FORGEN) activity, bringing together personnel from the unit’s outstations in Cairns, Sydney and Nowra. The activity commenced with Air Force support to move personnel into Sydney via military air, followed by participation in the Anzac Day march through the Sydney CBD. More.... |
21 May Review
into Victoria Cross entitlementsThe Australian Government will conduct an Independent Review of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Guidelines on Victoria Cross and Victoria Cross for Australia recipient travel entitlements. This allowance is set out in statute and does not transfer to a deceased veterans’ dependents or family members upon their death. More..... |
20 May Port
Kembla identified as preferred east coast submarine base in
NSW documentsPort Kembla has reportedly been identified as the preferred east coast base for Australia’s proposed nuclear submarine fleet, according to documents allegedly created by the NSW cabinet office and premier’s department. The documents, created between 2022 and 2023, were tabled in the NSW Parliament under an order to produce from Greens MLC Abigail Boyd, and reportedly widely in the media earlier this week. More..... |
20 May Drones
give Royal Navy helicopters the edge in fjord exerciseThree action-packed weeks in the fjords saw the British and Norwegian navies enhance missile, fast-boat and drone tactics. Drones were launched, torpedoes dropped and flares cascaded over the waters around Bergen, as Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters grappled with fast attack boats, exploited uncrewed technology and thwarted missile attacks. More..... |
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20 May85
years on we remember those who served in the Battle of Crete 85 years on from an unwinnable battle, today we remember the immense sacrifice of those who served in the Battle of Crete. From 20 May to 1 June 1941, Australian units fought alongside Greek, Cretan, British and New Zealand forces on Crete. A defining moment of the Second World War, the 13 day battle solidified an unbreakable bond between Greece and Australia, forging a wartime alliance rooted in common values of courage and mateship. More..... |
20 May Pentagon
watchdog evaluating US military’s strikes on alleged drug
boatsThe Defense Department’s inspector general has initiated an evaluation of whether U.S. Southern Command followed Pentagon protocols when attacking suspected drug-smuggling boats in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean. The operation, dubbed Southern Spear, has destroyed 58 vessels and at least 182 people have been killed in the strikes between Sept. 2 and May 12. More..... |
20 May Middle
powers unite at seaWith more than a century of cooperation, Australia and Canada are continuing their strong partnership in the Indo-Pacific. The Royal Australian Navy and Royal Canadian Navy recently operated side by side in the South China Sea for more than two weeks, strengthening interoperability and reinforcing cooperation with regional partners and allies. More..... |
20 May Operation
Get Alice HomeIf you’ve ever wondered who would make the perfect wedding planner, look no further – it’s a former Navy stoker. HMAS Toowoomba Deputy Maritime Logistics Officer Lieutenant Alice Moir was busy planning the most important day of her life when she received news that her country had other plans. “We booked our wedding for when we were supposed to be in maintenance period, but the program changed and we ended up in this predicament,” she said. More..... |
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19 May Patricia Cam Plaque Unveil Members of HMAS Coonawarra, the wider ADF and the Northern Territory community attended a plaque unveiling to commemorate the 1943 sinking of HMAS Patricia Cam. The plaque honours the lives lost in the sinking. It was unveiled during the 2026 NT Defence Week, which is the Northern Territory Government’s flagship annual program showcasing the Territory’s strategic role in Australia’s defence posture and Indo-Pacific engagement. |
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19 May Australian
Government to commence Collins class life of type extensionThe Government is enhancing Australia’s fleet of Collins class submarines, through a life of type extension that will reduce risk, enhance capability and maximise availability for the Royal Australian Navy as Australia transitions to a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet. More..... |
19 May Chef
finds his course at seaGrowing up in Ayr, Queensland, Able Seaman Thomas Wiseman was torn between two paths: following in his father’s footsteps or pursuing a passion inspired by his mother. “I was going to join the Army because my dad was Army and my grandfather was Army. But my mum is a pastry chef by trade, and my real love of cooking I got from her,” Able Seaman Wiseman said. More..... |
19 May Balikatan
2026 was Rehearsal for Defense of the Philippines, Paparo
SaysBalikatan 2026 was a rehearsal for the defense of the Philippines amid a “dangerous security environment,” U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo said at the conclusion of the largest iteration of the drills held to date. More..... |
16 May What
the undersea monitoring device found in Indonesia tells us
about China's maritime strategyThe discovery of a Chinese undersea monitoring device in a strategic Indonesian waterway last month came as little surprise to maritime defence experts. However, some argue it has real implications for Australia's defence strategy. More..... |
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15 May OUR MAY HERO CMDR Karl Erik OOM, OBE, US Legion of Merit, US  Bronze StarKarl Erik Oom was born on 27 May 1904 at Chatswood, Sydney, fourth child of Gustaf Peter Ludwig August Oom, a draftsman from Sweden, and his English-born wife May Isabel. His career took him from Sydney to Jervis Bay when he joined the RAN in 1918. Then to England to complete courses, back to Australia for some sea-time then to the Antarctic with Sir Douglas Mawson, back to Britain for sea-time, then Australia for five years. Again with the RN at sea in 1939, he went on to command his own ship HMS Gleaner in WW2 through treacherous, freezing waters across the North Sea and the eastern Atlantic. Back to Australia to command HMAS Whyalla to produce reliable charts for allied offensives in Papua and New Guinea. He went on to command Task Group 70.5 in the Pacific Islands during the major battles in the Admiralty Islands, Morotai, Leyte Gulf, Lingayen Gulf, Zamboanga, Tarakan, Brunei Bay and Balikpapan. Following the war he was back in the Antarctic commanding HMAS Wyatt Earp conducting Antarctic surveys. Collectively, all the honours he received during his career, show that Oom was regarded as one of Australia’s leading wartime hydrographers, with contributions valued at both military and scientific levels. Continue reading about this months exceptional hero..... |
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15 May PteroDynamics
secures Royal Australian Navy contract to supply Transwing
VTOL UASAmerican aerospace company PteroDynamics has secured a contract to supply Transwing VTOL unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for the Royal Australian Navy’s autonomous maritime distributed logistics capabilities. Under the contract, PteroDynamics will deliver P4 Transwing UAS aircraft plus training and support, with the option for RAN to purchase larger P5 Transwing UAS systems for delivery starting in 2027. More..... |
14 May US
Navy could run out of money by July, top officer warnsChief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle warned members of Congress at a budget hearing for the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense the U.S. Navy needs an infusion of cash in the next two months to prevent interruptions in how it conducts military training and other operations, the service’s highest ranking officer told lawmakers on Tuesday. More..... |
14 May From
Port Moresby to CerberusMeeting new friends, sharing insights into Papua New Guinea’s culture and undertaking demanding physical training were highlights for three privates reflecting on their time at the Royal Australian Navy Recruit School. Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) Privates Millis Kaos, Jamal Kime and Allan Aihi graduated from the Recruit School at HMAS Cerberus in March, as members of General Entry 444 Emms Division. More..... |
14 May Allies
honour battle that turned the tide of WWIIAbout 50 Darwinites and visitors, including a contingent of the United States Marine Rotational Force – Darwin, gathered to remember the hundreds of sailors, officers and airmen who died in the Battle of the Coral Sea in 1942. The ceremony took place at sunset at Darwin’s USS Peary memorial. More..... |
13 May Army
proves HIMARS deployability from ship to shoreIn northern Queensland, 10th Fires Brigade’s high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS) took to the beach with the help of HMAS Choules. Having earlier exceeded expectations by firing various missile types ahead of schedule, and at distances new to Army, attention has turned to the deployability of HIMARS on aircraft and ships to extend the ADF’s ability to defend Australia’s northern approaches. More..... |
13 May United
States honour for Australian naval leaderIn a testament to the enduring strength of the Australia-United States maritime alliance, Commodore David Frost, the Australian Naval Attaché to Washington, has been awarded the 2025 National President’s Medal by the Navy League of the United States. More..... |
13 May Trump’s
Golden Dome missile shield estimated to cost $1.2 trillionA national missile defense system, or Golden Dome, proposed by the Trump administration would cost $1.2 trillion to build and maintain over the next 20 years, the Congressional Budget Office estimated in a cost-projection analysis released Tuesday. More..... |
13 May Creativity
flourishes on board BallaratWhile the crew of HMAS Ballarat work hard to follow the ship’s motto ‘Defend the Flag’, many of them take time to continue creative pursuits. Lieutenant Emma Cook discovered a talent for painting during her busy work routine on board. As a principal warfare officer, Lieutenant Cook is in charge of the weapons and sensors, ensuring the ship achieves its mission during an operational deployment. More..... |
13 May Coming
home to AlbanyMusician Petty Officer Nadene Starkie has returned to Albany nearly 40 years after joining the town’s local Navy Cadet unit. Petty Officer Starkie began her Navy journey in the 1980s as a member of the Australian Navy Cadets at TS Vancouver in Albany, Western Australia. That early exposure to Navy life sparked what would become a lifelong connection with maritime service and music. More..... |
13 May U.K.
Pledges Destroyer, Drone-hunting Systems to Strait of Hormuz
MissionThe U.K. has pledged a force package that includes a destroyer, Typhoon fighter aircraft, autonomous mine hunting systems and unmanned surface vessels to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Iran agree to a “sustainable” ceasefire agreement, the U.K. Ministry of Defense announced Tuesday. More..... |
13 May Russian
Nuclear Submarines, Thousands of Miles From Ukraine, Get
Anti-Drone DefensesDespite being thousands of miles from the war in Ukraine, Russia’s strategic submarine base at Rybachiy in the Pacific is now showing signs of heightened defenses. New satellite imagery reveals anti-drone protections around nuclear submarines, suggesting Russian commanders fear that Ukrainian surprise attacks threaten even their most remote naval assets. More..... |
12 May Proud
to be an Australian Navy nurseGrowing up in Ipswich, Queensland, Commander Anthony Russell always had a strong sense of service, joining Navy in 2014 to give back to Australia, after completing his initial nursing qualifications. “I was supported by the country to go to university, something I wouldn’t have been able to afford, and I felt a good way to give back would be through service,” he said. More..... |
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11 May NT Defence Week at HMAS Coonawarra NT Defence Week is the Northern Territory’s strategic role in Australia’s defence posture and Indo-pacific engagement. The week is designed to strengthen relationships, support industry growth and reinforce the Northern Territory’s position as a critical enabler of national defence and resilience. |
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11 May Royal Australian Navy - Families Week 2026 This year's National Families Week theme, “Every Family, Everywhere” resonates strongly within our Navy. Our people serve in locations across Australia and the globe, and steadfast support from their families is critical. Navy families contribute so much, often quietly and without recognition. Your commitment, patience and resilience matter. Thank you. |
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10 May Inquiry
into military sexual violence a time for Defence to reckon
with past, but only if it removes victims' gag ordersThe first hearings as part of a landmark inquiry into military sexual violence could be mere weeks away, but advocates in the space fear it will be "half-baked", unless the Department of Defence lifts gag orders. The Human Rights Law Centre, charities and campaigners have penned a letter to the Chief of Defence and multiple federal government ministers, urging them to provide permanent amnesty to victims of sexual violence who are bound by non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) so they can participate in the inquiry. More..... |
08 May Australia
showcases sovereign defence capabilityFor the first time, Defence and the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) have worked together as a unified Australian presence at a major international defence trade event. The collaboration of Team Defence Australia and the ASA at the Sea-Air-Space 2026 Conference in the United States, from April 19 to 22, signalled the Australian defence industry’s commitment to strengthening sovereign industrial capability, deepening alliance integration and accelerating export pathways. More..... |
08 May Many
navies make light workWhen seeking out an unseen enemy, it’s always better to hunt in a pack. This is why the 41st iteration of Exercise Balikatan included the largest multinational anti-submarine warfare exercise ever hosted by the Philippines. For two days during the maritime component, ships from the Royal Australian Navy, Philippine Navy, United States Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force worked seamlessly as one united fleet, sharpening their hunting skills below the surface. More..... |
08 May Cyber
defenders hunt invaders in virtual fightFighting and winning in the cyber domain is critical in today’s military conflicts, and defending the cyber battlespace was a key component of Exercise Balikatan. With rapid developments in cyber warfare, the defensive drills held during the exercise were an important test for participating nations in working together to repel an enemy in cyberspace. More..... |
08 May Discussions
progressing for replacement of Royal New Zealand Navy’s
ageing frigatesThe New Zealand government has announced that work is progressing to replace the Royal New Zealand Navy’s ageing frigates as part of broader efforts to strengthen New Zealand’s Defence capability. Defence has begun discussions with the Royal Australian Navy and the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy to inform the next stage for potential frigate replacement and ongoing service arrangements, according to information released by NZ Defence Minister Chris Penk. More..... |
07 May Allies
work as one launching and landing at seaFour nations, four warships and three of the most sophisticated airborne antisubmarine warfare platforms working as one. As part of Exercise Balikatan, air assets embarked on board HMAS Toowoomba, HMCS Charlottetown and JS Ikazuchi, in company with USS Ashland, practised a series of cross-decking exercises, launching and receiving each other’s aircraft and improving cooperation at sea. More..... |
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07 MayInaugural
DVSC Commissioner appointed The Albanese Government has appointed Penny McKay as the inaugural Commissioner of the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commission (DVSC) for a five-year term. The DVSC is key to delivering on the Government’s efforts to reduce the unacceptable rate of suicide among serving and ex-serving veterans. More..... |
07 May France
moves aircraft carrier to Red Sea with eye on Hormuz missionFrance on Wednesday deployed its carrier strike group to the Red Sea as part of planning for a potential mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz, urging Washington and Tehran to consider the proposal given the global economic impact of their competing blockades. More..... |
07 May Head
of Nuclear Submarine Capability to headline Budget 2026:
National Defence OutlookAustralia’s head of Nuclear Submarine Capability, Rear Admiral Tom Phillips, will provide a keynote address to the Defence Connect Budget 2026: National Defence Outlook, to be held at Parliament House, Canberra on Friday, 15 May. Australia’s most significant gathering of defence industry leaders, policymakers and national security experts is set to return, with this year’s event shaping up to be the most consequential since its inception in 2020, and for good reason. More..... |
06 May Submarines
conduct twin visits in Port PhillipTwo Collins-class submarines have slipped between the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas into Port Phillip for concurrent port visits in Melbourne and Geelong. The submarines, both based at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, are using their brief windows alongside for logistics resupply and crew respite following intense training off the south-eastern coast. More..... |
06 May Remembering
a wartime tragedy in the Top End'The crew of the ship - Indigenous and non-Indigenous sailors and officers - suffered together and died together' Those are the words on a newly unveiled plaque commemorating one of Australia’s lesser-known wartime tragedies in the Top End: the sinking of HMAS Patricia Cam. About 60 people gathered to honour the ultimate sacrifice made by Royal Australian Navy and Yolŋu members on board. More..... |
06 May Australia's
partnership with Japan helps deter China from starting a warHistorian and media commentator James Curran is wrong to suggest we should fear that closer defence ties with Japan could drag Australia into a conflict with China, as he argued in the Australian Financial Review on 27 April. On the contrary, Australia’s acquisition of Japan’s upgraded Mogami-class frigates, and the wider uplift of bilateral relations that was unveiled during Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s visit this week, help deter China from starting a regional war. More..... |
06 May Expressions
of Interest now open for the Open Arms National Advisory
CommitteeExpressions of Interest are now open for individuals who want to contribute to the mental health and wellbeing of veterans and families of veterans by joining the Open Arms National Advisory Committee. The National Advisory Committee plays an important role in supporting Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling. More..... |
06 May Pentagon
assures safe passage through Strait of Hormuz despite
presence of minesDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters Tuesday in the Pentagon that vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz currently have access to a secure lane, as the U.S. seeks to restore freedom of navigation through the embattled sea passage. The guarantee comes a day after U.S. Naval Forces Central Command issued a security warning regarding maritime explosive devices to vessels passing through the strait. More..... |
06 May Shipyards
shape a life of serviceAttending school a few hundred metres from the Williamstown Shipbuilding Yard in Melbourne’s inner west, it was only a matter of time before the pull of a life at sea would grip Lieutenant Commander Samuel Amor as a teenager. Sailing lessons in Port Phillip Bay for school sports, as well as tours of visiting HMA Ships Darwin and Warramunga would cement a career that has seen him circumnavigate the globe. More..... |
05 May A
sailor returns home for Anzac DayAhead of Anzac Day, Able Seaman Ryan Hicklin prepared for a homecoming with special significance. A combat systems operator (CSO) on board HMAS Brisbane, Able Seaman Hicklin marched in Melbourne for the first time since joining Navy, an occasion he described as an honour and a deeply personal milestone. More..... |
05 May Crisis
talks in Australia as Arafura-class OPV program faces delaysAustralia has convened high-level crisis talks to address mounting delays in the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) program. Since being listed as a Project of Concern in October 2023, Australia and Civmec Defence Industries have implemented a remediation plan and achieved key milestones, including the acceptance of OPV 1, HMAS Arafura and OPV 2, NUSHIP Eyre, and the launch of OPV 3, NUSHIP Pilbara. More..... |
05 May Australian
firm commissions first US export LUUVWhile ship christenings are a longstanding naval tradition, this event is a first for C2 Robotics and was conducted with a modern twist, as it was christened by a robotic arm. The Speartooth LUUV has been designed to deliver scalable, cost-effective undersea capability across intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike missions. More..... |
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04 MayEnhanced
Defence and Security Cooperation with Japan Australia and Japan have agreed next steps to enhance defence and security cooperation, in order to support our shared ambition for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia and Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae of Japan met in Canberra today and issued the Joint Statement on Enhanced Defence and Security Cooperation. More..... |
04 May A
delicate dance in the deepAs a four‑ship multinational task group conducted a replenishment at sea (RAS), the surface was alive with coordinated movement. Below the waterline, one department bore the responsibility of keeping calm amid the chaos. For the stokers, if a RAS isn’t done right, or the fuel received isn’t up to scratch, it can be an environmental disaster. More..... |
01 May Australia,
Malaysia reinforce regional securityHMAS Warramunga and KD Lekir have wrapped the Malaysia-Australia Training Exercise (MASTEX) off Australia’s west coast, marking another iteration of the long-running bilateral activity. MASTEX is a biennial exercise that brings together the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Malaysian Navy to strengthen operational integration and cooperation. More..... |
01 May Sharing
success in the South China SeaThe flight deck of HMAS Toowoomba was akin to an informal United Nations General Assembly recently, as more than a dozen nations gathered on board in Da Nang, Vietnam. Celebrating the first reciprocal port visits between Australia and Vietnam, Toowoomba hosted an official reception, with members of the Da Nang People’s Committee as guests of honour, along with representatives from other Indo-Pacific regional partners and NATO nations. More..... |
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