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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the JULY edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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31 July New defence chief says war with China not 'imminent' but Australian military ready to support region Australia's highest-ranking military officer has talked down the prospect of an imminent war with China, but again warned the defence force must improve its recruitment and retention. Speaking from Darwin, where he has been observing Exercise Pitch Black activities, the long-serving naval officer praised the capacity of Australia's defence force. He told ABC News Breakfast his personnel were ready to support the region in a range of tasks. |
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30 July Austal to build 18 Landing Craft Medium (LC-M) for the Australian Army The Australian Army’s program to acquire a fleet of medium and heavy landing craft, known locally as Project Land 8710, has progressed with the Australian Government approving the initial phase of the program. Austal will build 18 Landing Craft Medium (LC-M) for the Australian Army at its facility in Henderson, Western Australia. |
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30 July British
sea lord assures Australian officials troubled warship
program 'stabilising'Britain's visiting naval chief has declared Australia will eventually operate the world's best anti-submarine warfare (ASW) frigates because a closely linked shipbuilding project in the UK is now "stabilising" after suffering damaging initial setbacks. The upbeat assessment of Australia's Hunter-class warship program comes as several nations vying to build the navy's next fleet of smaller "general purpose frigates" sharpen their sales pitches here as they try to clinch the lucrative defence contract. More..... |
30 July First
Royal Australian Navy Sailors Graduate From Basic Enlisted
Submarine SchoolIn a first for the AUKUS trilateral enhanced security partnership, a group of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) enlisted sailors has graduated from the United States Navy’s Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS). The sailors all graduated with distinction with one of them being named the Honor Graduate for scoring a 100% in the class. The graduation marks a significant milestone in the development of a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) fleet for Australia under the AUKUS Pillar 1 Optimal Pathway. More..... |
29 July Australian
Defence Force launches fresh recruitment campaignThe Australian Defence Force (ADF) has launched the first integrated recruitment advertising campaign to highlight the diverse career opportunities available across maritime, land, air, space and cyber. A career in the ADF is unlike any other job, and that is the message this campaign is sending to Australians who want to make a difference to pursue a career in uniform. The ‘unlike any other job’ campaign will run from today online, on social media, digital audio, television and cinema. For the first time, the campaign will also be displayed on 3D billboards in Sydney and Melbourne. More..... |
27 July U.S.
Upgrades Military Command in Japan, Warns of China ThreatsThe United States on Sunday announced plans for a major revamp of its military command in Japan to deepen coordination with its ally's forces, as the two countries labelled China the "greatest strategic challenge" facing the region. "The United States will upgrade the U.S. Forces Japan to a joint force headquarters with expanded missions and operational responsibilities," Austin told reporters after the so-called "2+2" talks. "This will be the most significant change to U.S Forces Japan since its creation and one of the strongest improvements in our military ties with Japan in 70 years." More..... |
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BROADSIDE - JULY 2024 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" arrows. |
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26 July RAN
selects new landing craft for Pacific Support VesselThe Royal Australian Navy has selected a new light landing craft for use by the in-service Pacific Support Vessel ADV Reliant that will be faster and more capable than legacy inservice craft. Under a contract with Sydney-based The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG), Navy will receive two all aluminium Landing Craft Light (LCL), with delivery planned for the first half of 2025. At 15.4m in length, the new LCL is larger than Navy’s long-serving Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel that are often embarked on the sealift ship HMAS Choules and ADV Reliant. Powered by triple 300hp diesel outboard motors, the LCL has improved seakeeping and is also significantly faster, being capable of 26 knots in a fully loaded configuration. More..... |
25 July Submarine
boss predicts AUKUS project will be slow, expensive and
suffer setbacksThe admiral in charge of running Australia's massive nuclear-powered submarine project has warned the AUKUS endeavour will suffer setbacks and he appealed for "strategic patience", as the expensive, decades-long project gets underway. Addressing the Indian Ocean Defence and Security conference in Perth, Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) boss Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead claimed AUKUS was already "shifting the military balance of power" in the region but said much more work needed to be done. "We have a long road ahead, we do need strategic patience; developing these high-end apex capabilities necessary for effective deterrence is not easy, is not quick, nor is it cheap," he told the conference on Thursday. More..... |
25 July Kuru
Wharf officially opened at HMAS CoonawarraThe $210 million Kuru Wharf was delivered under the broader $600 million Larrakeyah Defence Precinct Redevelopment Program, and provides additional berthing capacity for naval vessels, including major surface combatants and submarines to enhance the nation’s maritime capability. The opening ceremony was attended by Assistant Minister for Defence, Assistant Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Assistant Minister for the Republic and the Federal Member for Kingsford Smith, Matt Thistlethwaite and Larrakia Nation Elder Auntie Mary at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin on July 24. “These critical upgrades to Kuru Wharf will allow for the future growth of the Larrakeyah Defence Precinct to ensure it is equipped to meet our strategic circumstances,” according to Assistant Minister for Defence Matt Thistlethwaite. More..... |
25 July ROK
government commits to delivering Australian frigates by 2029In a sign of just how seriously South Korea is about forming closer defence links with Australia, the government has committed to meeting the ambitious delivery schedule of the first RAN ship in the water by 2029. The offer was explained to APDR by Rear Admiral Hyun-Seung Shin, ROK Navy Director General, Naval Ship Program Department. There are two Korean companies shortlisted for the SEA 3000 General Purpose Frigate program, Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Hanwha Ocean (HO). The other bidders come from Germany, Japan and Spain. If either of the Korean companies are selected, the ROK government in the form of the Defense Acquisition Program Administration will guarantee that the first ship is in the water by 2029 and the next two by 2030. More..... |
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24 July UK First Sea Lord on AUKUS, Royal Navy in Asia Pacific and CSG deployments Interview with the UK Royal Navy's most senior sailor, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key, on AUKUS, OPVs in Asia Pacific and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployments to the Indo Pacific. This interview was recorded in July 2024 at the Indian-Ocean Defence and Security (IODS) conference held in Perth, Australia. |
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24 July UK
First Sea Lord: Joint crewing of SSN-AUKUS submarines likelyThe United Kingdom and Australia’s future SSN-AUKUS (SSN-A) submarines will probably be operated by an integrated crew made of Australian and British sailors, the UK’s First Sea Lord said at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference in Perth. “I’m confident that the work is going on, the way that the choices are being rigorously examined and slowly downselected against the timeline that we need to meet will ensure that SSN AUKUS, will arrive on time, delivering just the capabilities that we require and crewed by either a UK crew or [an] Australian crew or, very probably, a mixture of both because we will be so integrated by then that it will almost be a natural [extension] of what we’re doing,” said the First Sea Lord, Admiral Ben Key. More..... |
24 July U.S.,
Partners Experiment with New Weapon Systems During RIMPAC
2024 SINKEXThe U.S. military is experimenting with potential future weapon systems at the ongoing Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercise in Hawaii, using a weapon known as QUICKSINK during the biennial drill’s sinking exercise. U.S. forces used QUICKSINK – born out of collaboration between the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Navy – in the Friday sinking exercise that featured former amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1) as the target, according to a Monday U.S. 3rd Fleet news release. “In a partnership with the U.S. Navy, a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber proved a low-cost, air-delivered method for defeating surface vessels through a QUICKSINK demonstration, as part of the second SINKEX,” U.S. 3rd Fleet said in the release. More..... |
24 July U.S.
Navy Demonstrates ‘Game-Changing’ System to Rearm Warships
at SeaNaval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) successfully conducted the first land-based demonstration of the Transferrable Rearming Mechanism (TRAM), which will enable U.S. Navy surface combatants to reload missile canisters into their MK 41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS) at sea. The test’s execution underscored the versatility and rapid adaptability of the Navy’s sailors and engineers. T im Barnard, director of the NAVSEA Technology Office (05T), praised the speed at which the sailors of the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group and USS Chosin (CG 65) became acquainted with TRAM in order to execute the demonstration. More..... |
24 July South
Korea’s technological prowess could greatly strengthen AUKUSThe members of AUKUS should expand the security pact to include South Korea. If they do, they will deepen and strengthen the partnership, enhance its technological capabilities and make the Indo-Pacific region more secure. South Korea’s impressive record of indigenous military-technology development shows it would be a valuable addition to AUKUS, which is a technology-focused defence partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom and United States. Adding South Korea would enable the partnership to undertake more and harder development projects. More..... |
24 July Marching
Matilda through SamoaThe streets of Samoa’s capital, Apia, were recently awash with the combined music of uniformed Australians, Fijians and Samoans during the port visit of HMAS Choules. An 81-piece massed band, comprised of members of the Royal Australian Navy Band, Republic of Fiji Navy Band and the Royal Samoa Police Band, marched through the city during the ship’s first day in port. The march itself is a long-standing daily tradition where local police officers walk from their headquarters every morning to Government House to raise the Samoan national flag. More..... |
24 July Australia
to take command of Red Sea task force as trade route threats
in Middle East persistMonths after declining a United States request to deploy a warship to the Middle East, the Royal Australian Navy is preparing to assume command of an international maritime task force dedicated to protecting shipping lanes around the Red Sea. Military sources have told the ABC that authorisation has been given for Australia to take over from Italy in leading Combined Task Force (CTF) 153, which is operated under the broader US-led Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), headquartered in Bahrain. More..... |
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24 July Government downplays concerns over AUKUS nuclear waste The government has sought to dispel community concerns surrounding a planned radioactive waste site off Perth's coast for AUKUS nuclear submarines. |
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23 July Alkath
Group, MSubs collaborate to accelerate Australian maritime
autonomyAustralian defence company Alkath Group and United Kingdom-based submersible manufacturer MSubs have announced a new collaboration aimed at accelerating maritime autonomous system capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The collaboration paves the way for cost-effective and versatile uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) to be available for a variety of applications, including defence, marine science, and commercial offshore survey operations. More..... |
23 July Building
partnerships in SamoaThe crew of HMAS Choules lent a helping hand to Samoans via community activities aimed at strengthening partnerships during the ship’s visit to the country. At the Tuana’i Seventh Day Adventist Church, located half an hour’s drive west of Samoa’s capital Apia, crew members helped build greenhouses for the village to grow vegetables. The greenhouses will protect crops from pests, including chickens and insects, enabling people in the village to enjoy more fresh produce. More..... |
23 July Navy
dives in to search and detectNavy personnel have used an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to ‘protect’ shipping in Cairns Harbour. The Maritime Deployable Robotic Autonomous Systems and Experimentation Unit (MDREU) is supporting Army’s 11th Brigade as part of Exercise Austral Shield from July 12 to 28. During the exercise, ADF personnel are working with state authorities to test the ADF’s short-notice response to a domestic security threat. More..... |
22 July Choules
brings sizzle and grooves to SamoaThe barbecue sizzled, musicians played and the public kept on coming as HMAS Choules offered a taste of Australian hospitality in Samoa this month. Held by the waters of Apia harbour, the public barbecue and concert featured performances by the Republic of Fiji Navy and Royal Australian Navy bands. Locals wandered through the picturesque arena as the Fijians played a mix of traditional Fijian and Pacific-themed music before the Australians took to the stage with rock and pop classics. More..... |
22 July Satellite
imagery reveals extent of destruction of Commonwealth war
graves in GazaDozens of graves belonging to Australian soldiers located inside an historic Gaza cemetery are feared to be damaged or destroyed following Israeli military operations over recent months. Recent satellite imagery has revealed the extent of damage to one of the sites, the Gaza War Cemetery at Deir El Belah, which is mainly dedicated to fallen Allied personnel and is administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Around 260 of the graves are dedicated to Australian soldiers, primarily light horsemen killed in 1917. More..... |
22 July China
and the Philippines strike a deal to end clashes at disputed
shoal in South China SeaChina and the Philippines have reached a deal they hope will end confrontations at the most fiercely disputed shoal in the South China Sea, according to the Philippine government. The Philippines occupies Second Thomas Shoal but China also claims it, and increasingly hostile clashes at sea have sparked fears of larger conflicts that could involve the United States. More..... |
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21 July Naval Strike Missile HMAS Sydney successful firing The Royal Australian Navy has accelerated Naval Strike Missile installation in Surface Combatants which culminated in the 18 July live firing demonstration off the coast of Hawaii during Exercise RIMPAC 2024. |
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20 July HMAS Sydney conducts a RAS HMAS Sydney conducted a replenishment at sea (RAS) with German Navy Ship Frankfurt Am Main for the first time during the sea phase of RIMPAC2024. |
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19 July New
Zealand Navy eyes a unique opportunity to revamp its fleetNew Zealand possesses an exclusive economic zone spanning 4.3 million km², which the government claims is the world’s fifth largest. The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) is required to monitor this vast EEZ, which is even larger when the maritime territories of the Cook Islands and Niue, which are in free association with New Zealand, are added. However, the country’s navy is very small for the tasks allotted it. The RNZN possesses nine vessels, of which just five are currently operational. More..... |
19 July Gap
year sailors build strong foundationsNavy's newest maritime personnel operators are ready to embark on their careers after graduating from initial employment training at HMAS Cerberus. Seven of the graduates began their Navy journey through the ADF Gap Year-Navy program, the largest number for any single initial employment training cohort. Seaman Caitlin Dawes said the training and gap year experience built a strong foundation for her Navy career. More..... |
18 July Advocacy
funding provides practical supportThe Australian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to providing practical support to veterans with today’s announcement of $4.731 million in grants for local advocacy services. The funding has been awarded through the Building Excellence in Support and Training (BEST) grants program, and is shared among 102 ex-service organisations (ESOs) across Australia. The annual grants program helps ESO advocates to provide veterans with advice and assistance about entitlements, health and wellbeing support, services and claims. More..... |
18 July U.S.
Navy Exonerates 256 Black Defendants for Actions Following
1944 Port Chicago ExplosionNavy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced the full exoneration of the remaining 256 Black defendants of the 1944 Port Chicago general and summary courts-martial that followed a disastrous explosion at the California ammunition-handling facility. Del Toro made the announcement Wednesday on the 80th anniversary of the disaster that claimed 320 lives, injured 400 others, destroyed a train and two cargo ships – SS Quinault Victory and SS E.A. Bryan – and caused damage to the nearby town of Port Chicago. More..... |
18 July Sailor’s
two worlds collide in TongaAble Seaman Suliana Kami recently travelled to her mother’s homeland of Tonga for significant national celebrations. The drawcard was the official 65th birthday of King Tupou VI of Tonga and the 50th anniversary of the Tonga Royal Navy on July 4. Born in her father’s hometown of Sydney, Able Seaman Kami’s childhood was split between Australia and Tonga. She began her Navy career in 2021 and said it is a service close to her heart. More..... |
17 July IODS
2024: Perth to Host Major AUKUS Event Next WeekFrom Wednesday to Friday next week (24-26 July) Perth will be the epicentre of debate on how the international relationships driving Australia’s $368 billion nuclear powered submarine purchase may play out in regional diplomacy, cooperation and industry development. IODS 2024 has already achieved landmark status, with the naval chiefs of all three AUKUS nations to speak at the conference. This marks the first time they will meet in Australia. More..... |
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17 July The Australian Amphibious Force WADER 24 Throughout June 2024 The Australian Amphibious Force conducted Wet and Dry Environmental Rehearsals (WADERs) across the coast of North Queensland, to maintain the AAF certification. |
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17 July First-time
pairing loaded with traditionFor HMAS Sydney’s crew, a replenishment at sea (RAS) is a well-practised mariner skill, but taking fuel from the German Navy was a first for the warship during Exercise Rim of the Pacific. Known as a whole-of-ship evolution, a RAS is where a ship comes within a few hundred feet of a supply ship to take on fuel and supplies. During the replenishment, Sydney received both marine diesel fuel and aviation fuel from Federal German Ship Frankfurt Am Main. More..... |
15 July One-third
of US military could be robotic by 2039: MilleyThe 20th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff believes growing artificial intelligence and unmanned technology could lead to robotic military forces in the future. “Ten to fifteen years from now, my guess is a third, maybe 25% to a third of the U.S. military will be robotic,” said retired Army Gen. Mark Milley at an Axios event Thursday launching the publication’s Future of Defense newsletter. More..... |
15 July Logistics
cell critical to the missionFive ADF members are part of a multinational team of about 40 surface logistics personnel providing essential support to the 40 ships operating from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC). The logisticians are responsible for moving vital supplies from shore to ship and vice versa, including food, fuel, stores and ammunition. More..... |
12 July Ready
to fight and win at sea in digital ageIn a pioneering effort to bolster international cyber defence, sailors and officers from Australia, Japan and the United States converged in Sydney for the inaugural Exercise Blue Spectrum. The exercise was hosted by Commander Information Warfare Force Captain Catherine Gordon and marked the first activity within the Trilateral Maritime Information Warfare Working Group initiative. More..... |
12 July South
Korea pushes Australia on AUKUS and cyber cooperation as it
eyes $10 billion warship prizeAlmost a year after clinching a multi-billion-dollar contract to build Australian Army vehicles, South Korea is again promoting closer defence ties as it seeks to win another lucrative prize; to deliver Navy's new fleet of "general-purpose frigates". Visiting South Korean Vice-Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho will hold talks with officials in Canberra today to discuss possible future cooperation on AUKUS Pillar 2 projects, while also pushing for more joint military exercises and cyber cooperation. More..... |
11 July Middle
East Area of Operations Commemoration a first step in
bringing in RSLs' newest membersThe ravages of the Middle East conflict still ring fresh in young veterans' minds. Today marks three years since all Australian troops officially returned from Afghanistan, bringing the nation's longest participation in a foreign war to a close. Many veterans of the conflict say they feel isolated when returning home, particularly those returning to regional Australia. More..... |
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11 July Chief of the Defence Force Change of Command Ceremony General Angus J. Campbell, AO, DSC transferred Command of the Australian Defence Force to Admiral David Johnston, AC, RAN at a Ceremonial Parade at Russell Offices, Canberra on 10 July 2024. |
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11 July Negligence,
critical deficiencies brought Guardian Class stranding, Fiji
Navy saysPoor situational awareness and decision making have been outlined as factors contributing to the stranding of Republic of Fiji Navy ship RFNS Puamau on a reef earlier this year. Republic of Fiji Military Forces leadership recently released a ‘Board of inquiry findings for the grounding of the RFNS Puamau’ report regarding the Australian-donated Guardian Class patrol boat on July 10. More..... |
11 July Italian
Navy carrier making port visit in DarwinThe aircraft carrier Cavour, the Italian Navy’s flagship, and the frigate Alpino arrived in Darwin, Australia, on 9 July and stay until 5 August to participate in “Pitch Black 2024” air exercise, hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). This large-scale exercise will include 20 other nations, including United States, United Kingdom, France and countries from the Indo-Pacific region. During the stopover, ITS Cavour, at Kuru Wharf, HMAS Coonawarra naval base, will be open to visit on Sunday 21 July from 3:00PM to 7:00PM. More..... |
11 July Navies
march together in celebrationHundreds of sailors and musicians from 10 nations came ashore in the Tongan capital of Nuku’alofa for a combined parade, marking the 65th birthday of His Majesty King Tupou VI and 50th anniversary of the Tonga Royal Navy. The Tongan formation led the parade, with crew members of Tonga’s two Australian-gifted Guardian-class patrol boats, sea cadets, the Tonga Royal Corps of Musicians and former serving members of the Tonga Royal Navy. More..... |
11 July New
commanding officer takes the helm at RIMPACCommander David ‘Billy’ Maddison is participating in RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime exercise, for the fourth time, but it’s his first in command of a Royal Australian Navy ship. He recently assumed command of HMAS Sydney, one of three Hobart-class guided missile destroyers and one of Australia’s most lethal maritime capabilities. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of leading 200 highly competent Australians through what will be a challenging test of our readiness and preparedness,” Commander Maddison said. More..... |
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11 July OUR JULY HERO  LCDR
George GOSSE GC RANVRLieutenant Commander George Gosse, GC (16 February 1912 – 31 December 1964) was an Australian recipient of the George Cross, the highest award for extraordinary acts of gallantry away from the field of battle that could be awarded to a member of the Australian armed forces at the time. Gosse served in the Royal Australian Navy between 1926 and 1933, reaching the rank of Sub-Lieutenant and receiving training and experience with the British Royal Navy. In 1940, he joined the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve (RANVR) for service in World War II. Quickly sent back to the United Kingdom, he served on several shore establishments before being sent to British India as a naval mine clearance specialist. He returned to the UK in late 1944, and in April 1945 he was given command of a naval party responsible for mine clearance in the recently captured Bremen Harbour in Germany. He displayed exceptional courage in defusing three mines under very difficult conditions between 8 and 19 May 1945, which resulted in him being awarded the George Cross. Read all about this courageous sailor...... https://navyvic.net/heroes/gosse.html |
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10 July Still
more to experience 20 years onLieutenant Commander Kimberley Healy is celebrating a significant personal milestone while deployed as part of the Sea Combat Command in Battleship Row at Pearl Harbor – 20 years in the Royal Australian Navy. The anniversary coincided with Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), where Lieutenant Commander Healy is one of more than 300 Australians taking part in the biennial international military exercise scheduled by Commander US Pacific Fleet. More..... |
09 July Multi-nation
Tongan birthday celebrationEleven ships, six bands and hundreds of sailors from 10 countries gathered in Nuku’alofa, Tonga, to celebrate the 65th birthday of the King of Tonga and the 50th anniversary the Tonga Royal Navy. The Royal Australian Navy Band and HMAS Choules took part in the celebrations, which included a church service, International Fleet Review, street parade and several official receptions. More..... |
09 July Australian
Navy nuclear submarine engineers complete training with
Royal NavyThe Royal Navy has helped lay the foundation for its Australian ally to acquire a nuclear-powered submarine capability, including through the country’s first UK-trained nuclear submarine engineers. Three Royal Australian Navy officers graduated alongside their British counterparts after nine intensive months of training at HMS Sultan in Gosport. Lieutenant Commander James, Lieutenant Isabella and Lieutenant Steve will now go on to serve in Astute-class submarines side-by-side with Royal Navy crews, adding practical experience to all they have learned on the Nuclear Operator Course. More..... |
07 July Iranian
Warship Sahand Capsizes And SinksOne of Iran's most modern frigates, the Sahand, has capsized in Bandar Abbas. Recent upgrades may have made the ship more top-heavy. The frigate was reported sunk in local media on July 7 2024. She is seen rolled over onto her port (left) side with her bow higher than the stern. Only the side of the hull and sonar dome appear above the water. More..... |
05 July Olympic
Torch visits Australian National Memorial in FranceAs part of its long journey around France, the Olympic Torch Relay has visited the Somme. Its first stop in the region was the Australian National Memorial and the Sir John Monash Centre near the village of Villers-Bretonneux. More than 1,000 schoolchildren and other spectators lined the route from the village to the Sir John Monash Centre, as the Torch arrived at around 9am. More..... |
05 July Tonga’s
first female Navy officer trained in AustraliaFor Acting Sub-Lieutenant Ofeina Anisi, being the first female naval officer in Tonga’s military history is a blessing and a privilege. She left her home in June 2022 to join New Entry Officers Course 67. She was no stranger to Australia, having completed five different courses during her time with the Tongan Army as an English and recruit trainer. More..... |
05 July Dual-serving
couples can now share leaveDual-serving couples can now share their leave as part of the latest change under the ADF Leave Framework. Introduced on July 1, 2023, the ADF Leave Framework introduced improved flexibility in how ADF personnel manage their leave, simplified leave types and increased basic recreational leave from 20 to 25 days per financial year. Defence is now implementing the additional planned improvements outlined as part of the framework. More..... |
05 July Pacific
salute for partners at seaOne of the Royal Australian Navy’s largest ships, HMAS Choules, recently participated in training exercises with warships from the United Kingdom and Japan off the coast of Fiji. The UK Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Tamar and Japan Maritime Self Defence Force frigate JS Noshiro joined Choules for cooperative activities, including officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres and cross-deck engagements. More..... |
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04 JulyOpinion
piece - Cutting compo complexity will help reduce veteran
suicide The rate of veteran suicide is a national tragedy. It’s why we called for a royal commission. Since 2021, the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has been investigating the factors that have contributed to such an appalling loss of life. The very first recommendation made by the royal commission in its interim report was for urgent action to simplify and harmonise veteran compensation and rehabilitation legislation. More..... |
04 July Australian
Government partners with Amazon Web Services to bolster
national defence and securityThe Australian Government will invest at least $2 billion over the next decade to bolster Australia’s cyber capabilities with the announcement of a strategic partnership between the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) in Australia to deliver a Top Secret (TS) Cloud for the Australian Government. More..... |
04 July Chinese
Ship Suspected of Raiding World War II Wrecks DetainedThe Chinese dredger suspected of plundering two World War II Royal Navy shipwrecks last year has been detained by Malaysian maritime authorities. MV Chuan Hong 68 and the entire crew is being held for paperwork violations including port clearances and having 60 unregistered LPG containers aboard and not illegal scavenging, according to a report in Maritime Executive. More..... |
03 JulyNew
legislation to simplify and harmonise veteran compensation The Government is simplifying and harmonising Australia’s veterans’ rehabilitation and compensation system – with new legislation introduced today. Under the Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024, all new compensation claims from 1 July 2026 will be dealt with under a single piece of legislation – an improved Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) – regardless of when or where the veteran served. This is another important step in responding to the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide’s Interim Report and is the result of significant community consultation. More..... |
03 July Sizzling
success in WA Hospitality ChallengeThe aroma of smoky barbecue filled the air at Irwin Barracks Sergeants’ Mess last month, as cooks from 13th Brigade, Special Air Services Regiment (SASR), HMA Ships Stirling and Stuart went dish-to-dish in the third annual Western Australia Hospitality Challenge. This year’s competition – with the theme, American barbecue – was won by SASR chefs, who impressed the judges with a feast of mouth-watering dishes. More..... |
02 July Bombers
test sea survival skillsThe Bombers dove into training with Navy as Essendon Football Club’s AFL Women’s team conducted a maritime-style, pre-season training camp at HMAS Cerberus. From June 21-23, physical training instructors and instructors from the Royal Australian Navy School of Survivability and Ship Safety put players from the Melbourne-based footy club through their paces. The tailored program fostered resilience, trust and teamwork among players, in the lead-up to the 2024 AFLW season. More..... |
02 July US
crew makes waves in SydneyMore than 500 US Navy personnel arrived in Sydney on June 28, ready to explore the city’s iconic landmarks and participate in various community engagements. The 198m-long submarine tender USS Emory S. Land berthed at Fleet Base East, Garden Island, for its third port visit in Australia, following visits to Darwin and Cairns. The visit forms part of a Western Pacific deployment providing expeditionary maintenance and logistics support to US Navy and allied partner vessels in support of the US 7th Fleet – the US Navy’s largest forward deployed numbered fleet. More..... |
01 July Sharing
culture, sharing knowledgeThirty-seven Royal Australian Navy (RAN) members began 2024 as keen volunteers on a personnel exchange program. After spending five months in Guam, many of the volunteers are now on board United States submarine tender USS Emory S. Land. The ship recently arrived in Australia as part of a deployment to the Western Pacific. The RAN personnel will continue to integrate with their US Navy counterparts to enhance their training, skills and experience in maintaining nuclear-powered submarines. More..... |
01 July HMAS
Choules embarks on Pacific deploymentHMAS Choules has delivered 14 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles to Fiji as part of a month-long deployment in the Southwest Pacific, enhancing the ADF’s engagement with Fiji and Tonga. The delivery of the Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles and spare parts to Fiji by HMAS Choules will strengthen Fiji’s peacekeeping capability. Later in the deployment, Choules will represent Australia at the 50th anniversary of the Tonga Royal Navy and His Majesty King Tupou VI’s 65th birthday celebrations. More..... |
01 July RFA
Argus heads to Australia for major multinational exercise
involving Royal MarinesRFA Argus, the hospital ship of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, is on her way from Singapore to Australia to join a large-scale exercise taking place in the Northern Territory. Exercise Predator's Run brings together personnel from several nations, and this year Royal Marines and Army Commandos from 40 Commando are taking part. Planners and advance party elements have been in the Northern Territory for a few weeks, and the main body from 40 Commando arrived in Darwin last weekend. More..... |
01 July Navy
divers honour bomb disposal hero with new medals for his WW2
deedsRoyal Navy divers replaced the lost medals of a 100-year-old bomb disposal hero when he visited their base in Portsmouth. Boyd Salmon is one of the last survivors of a small, elite team who cleared British and European shores of mines and unexploded bombs, shells and other ordnance. All mine clearance/bomb disposal work is extremely hazardous, but the exploits of the Enemy Mining Section especially so – as they sought out the latest enemy devices and came up with ways of rendering them safe. More..... |
01 July RIMPAC
2024 Kicks Off in HawaiiThe opening ceremony and press conference kicked off the 29th edition of the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, the world's largest international maritime exercise, today. Approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will train and operate in and around the Hawaiian Islands during the exercise, which runs until 01 August. More..... |
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