Latest Defence and Industry News
Nuclear submarines could lead to nuclear power for Australia
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- Written by Denis Mole
- Category: Future Submarine Project
In Adelaide’s The Advertiser newspaper on 7 March, former defence minister Christopher Pyne said, ‘Then there is the nonsensical argument that the Attack Class submarines are no good because they aren’t nuclear. Almost all of these arguments are driven by people who either know nothing at all about submarines and defence or have outdated information that is no longer relevant.’ Pyne must therefore believe that Australia’s current and recent submarine commanding officers know nothing about submarines.
Australia’s newest sovereign capability InnovaeroFOX completes critical flight tests
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- Written by Press Release
- Category: Defence Industry
InnovaeroFOX has advanced to the next stage of its test flight program — successfully completing a series of challenging flight tests on schedule. The 100 per cent Australian-made Maritime Unmanned Aerial System (MUAS) InnovaeroFOX has faced a series of tests at 40 per cent scale involving the execution of short, controlled circuits at varying speeds and airframe configuration settings.
New Microsoft Exchange vulnerabilities
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- Written by Defence Media
- Category: Cyber Australia
Australian organisations need to take further action and follow updated advice from the Australian Cyber Security Centre (ACSC) and Microsoft to patch vulnerable Microsoft Exchange systems. Assistant Minister for Defence, the Hon Andrew Hastie MP, said it is critical that newly identified vulnerabilities are addressed to avoid having Microsoft Exchange email software systems compromised by adversaries.
Biden confirms $23 billion arms sales to UAE despite concerns from Congress
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- Written by The New Arab
- Category: USA
US President Joe Biden's administration confirmed that it will greenlight a $23 billion weapons sale to the UAE, despite opposition from Democrats in Congress about its potential to further fuel violence in Yemen. A State Department spokesperson revealed to Reuters that the administration will sell weapons - including armed drones and advanced F-35 aircraft - to the UAE "even as we continue reviewing details and consulting with Emirati officials" on where and how the weapons will be used.
Deakin opens new defence secret-rated facility
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- Written by ADM
- Category: Department of Defence
A new research building will establish Deakin as the first university in Australia equipped to handle zone 4 classified, secret-rated defence research. Located within the Geelong Future Economy Precinct at the University’s Waurn Ponds Campus, the $18 million building will extend the capacity of Deakin’s Institute for Intelligent Systems Research and Innovation (IISRI) to build on its research and development in the fields of motion simulation, robotics and haptics, defence systems, and modelling and simulation.
Full steam ahead for naval shipbuilding traineeships
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- Written by Steven Marshall MP | David Pisoni MP
- Category: Future Submarine Project
With work underway at the Osborne shipyard for the construction of the Attack-class submarines South Australians are at the front of the queue for the thousands of well paid, highly skilled jobs the $50 billion program will create. “The Marshall Government has already begun the critical task of training the skilled workforce that will construct the highly sophisticated Attack-class submarines at the Osborne shipyard,” said Premier Marshall.
Logistic Engineering Services signs agreement with BAES Maritime Australia
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- Written by ADM
- Category: BAE Systems
Logistic Engineering Services (LES) and BAE Systems Maritime Australia have signed a Services Agreement for software capability, training and consultancy services to support the Hunter Class frigate program. "BAE Systems and LES have worked together across a number of projects since LES was established more than 20 years ago, including the Canberra Class LHD and JORN programs,..
Indigenous company NACP to build missile assembly and maintenance facility in NSW
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- Written by Caroline Tung, Manufacturers' Monthly
- Category: Department of Defence
An Indigenous construction company has been awarded the head contract to build a $23.9 million missile assembly and maintenance facility in Western Sydney. National Aboriginal Construction Partners (NACP) Projects is expected to employ around 200 workers during construction of the Nulka Missile Assembly and Maintenance facilities, at the Defence Establishment Orchard Hills.
Britain’s new £2bn fighter jet could be armed with LASERS to zap Putin and Kim’s hypersonic missiles out the sky
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- Written by Jacob Bentley-York
- Category: UK
BRITAIN'S next fighter plane could be armed with lasers designed to zap hypersonic missiles out of the sky. Sixth generation warplanes dubbed "Tempest" are being developed by Britain in a joint effort between the Royal Air Force and Italian Air Force. General Enzo Vecciarelli, Italy’s military chief of staff, suggested the plane will “probably be the future” when it comes to defending against hypersonic weapons.
BAE Systems chosen to provide Beowulf prototypes for US Army CATV program
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- Written by Army Recognition
- Category: Defence Industry
As reported by Army Recognition on April 7, the U.S. Army has selected BAE Systems and Oshkosh to deliver two prototype vehicles for evaluation as a potential solution for the Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle (CATV) program. Whether operating in swamps or the frozen arctic, BAE Systems’ Beowulf is based on proven, existing solutions and capable of moving personnel and cargo under the most remote and harshest conditions.
IAI and Thales associate to offer new missile for the UK Navy
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- Written by Navy Recognition
- Category: Defence Industry
According to a press release published on April 14, 2021, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and THALES in the UK have joined forces to offer SEA SERPENT as a compelling solution to equip the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates with an anti-ship and anti-surface missile that can match and overmatch a rapidly expanding range and intensity of current and emerging threats.
Raytheon selects ten Australian SMEs for Capability Plus programme
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- Written by Army Technology
- Category: Ratheon
The Australian Department of Defence has announced that Raytheon has selected ten small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) for its industry engagement programme. Called ‘Capability Plus’, Raytheon Australia’s programme aims to help SMEs win defence contracts in Australia and overseas markets. It allows selected companies to work with Raytheon and support the delivery of capability to Australia’s Defence Force while developing their businesses.
Australian Air Force bans the word ‘airmen’, says it will use gender neutral ‘aviator’ from now on
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- Written by Maroosha Muzaffar
- Category: RAAF
Australian Air Force personnel will henceforth be referred to as ‘aviators’ rather than ‘airmen,’ a change that gender rights activists have welcomed. On Thursday, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) announced that this move is a nod to a growing diversity within the body. Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld, Australia’s Chief of Air Force, told the media: “We are all aviators. In everything that we do, we are aviators first and foremost.”
Indigenous company awarded contract for Nulka facility
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- Written by APDR
- Category: Minister
An Australian Indigenous construction company has been awarded the head contract to build a A$23.9 million assembly and maintenance facility in NSW for one of Australia’s most successful defence exports. In a major jobs boost, National Aboriginal Construction Partners (NACP) Projects is expected to employ around 200 workers during construction of the Nulka Missile Assembly and Maintenance facilities, at the Defence Establishment Orchard Hills.
New naval shipbuilding course sets sail
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- Written by Defence Media
- Category: Minister
A new naval shipbuilding ‘taster course’ endorsed by Australia’s defence industry is set to be rolled out to its first cohort of students across Australia. The Introduction to Naval Shipbuilding course was developed by the Morrison Government’s Naval Shipbuilding College and industry and will be delivered through TAFE SA.
Babcock contract extended for Royal Navy 4.5 inch guns
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- Written by UKDJ
- Category: Babcock Int.
Babcock International and BAE Systems have been awarded a five year contract extension by the Ministry of Defence to continue in-service support to the Royal Navy’s 4.5 Mk8 Medium Calibre Gun (MCG). The agreement is worth £43m and will see the continuation of in-service support to the 4.5 MCG across 19 Type 23 Frigates and Type 45 Destroyers as well as HMS Collingwood.
US eyes tactical withdrawal from Middle East to focus on China
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- Written by The Arab Weekly
- Category: USA
WASHINGTON – Last month, a special team consisting of 15 Pentagon senior officials began working on developing a comprehensive plan to prepare American forces, deployed in various parts of the world, for a possible mission to confront China’s threat. It is within this context that the US committed last week to move all remaining combat forces from Iraq,...
Navy Takes Delivery of Sea Hawk Unmanned Vessel
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- Written by Sam LaGrone
- Category: LEIDOS
A second medium-sized unmanned surface vessel prototype has delivered to the Navy, builder Leidos announced this week. Sea Hawk, sister ship to the Navy’s Sea Hunter, was built on the Gulf Coast and is now bound to join the Navy’s Surface Development Squadron One in California, the company said in a Wednesday press release.
Insitec completes acquisition of Defence panel membership
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- Written by Press Release
- Category: Department of Defence
The Chairman of Insitec Pty Ltd, Andrew McNeill, has announced the company’s receipt of formal notification from the Australian Department of Defence of its approval for the novation of an Information Communications Technology Partner Arrangement (ICTPA) panel membership to the company. The ICTPA panel membership was formerly held by Canberra-based Exeter (Aust) Pty Ltd [trading as DMV], and negotiations for its purchase and subsequent novation to Insitec Pty Ltd were advanced over 2020.
Defence to face audit over new weapons purchases
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- Written by Andrew Tillett
- Category: Department of Defence
The Auditor-General will investigate the Coalition government’s $270 billion weapons build-up and how the Defence Department is managing the massive infusion of taxpayers’ money. Auditor-General Grant Hehir told Parliament’s Public Works Committee on Wednesday he had included Defence’s Integrated Investment Program (IIP) in the Australian National Audit Office’s draft program for 2021.
$111 million sustainment contract to boost SA defence hub jobs growth
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- Written by Defence Media
- Category: Minister
The Morrison Government has unveiled a $111 million sustainment contract with Raytheon Australia to support the jointly developed Raytheon-Kongsberg National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System (NASAM). This contract will support the Australian Defence Force’s new Short Range Ground Based Air Defence Capability, part of the LAND 19 Phase 7B program. The announcement builds on the official opening of Raytheon Australia’s new Centre for Joint Integration in Mawson Lakes, South Australia.