News & Articles of Interest

HMAS Cerberus Facebook page For all the latest news coming out of Cerberus, visit their Facebook page.....
31 May 2018	Veterans’ Advocacy Study Discussion Paper Released Public submissions are being sought to inform a major study which has commenced to improve advocacy services for veterans and their families. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the independent study being led by Robert Cornall AO will aim to provide nationally consistent service where the support for veterans is at least equal to those provided in comparable sectors. “Currently, the majority of advocacy services to veterans are delivered by ex-service organisations and their volunteers,” Mr Chester said. More.....
31 May 2018	Four newcomers joining 26-nation naval drill RIMPAC 2018 off Hawaii The world’s largest international naval exercise – Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) – will be hosting 26 nations, 47 surface ships, five submarines, 18 national land forces, and more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel for maneuvers, the US Navy has announced. The exercise is scheduled to take place between June 27 and August 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. This year’s exercise includes forces from Australia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States and Vietnam. More.....
31 May 2018	NUSHIP Brisbane completes CAT 5 trials and cooks up a storm NUSHIP Brisbane has recently completed her Category 5 (CAT 5) Sea Trials off the coast of Adelaide. During CAT 5 Sea Trials, the functional performance of the Mission System as a whole is verified. This verification is a pre-requisite to enable the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance to deliver Brisbane to the Department of Defence for provisional acceptance. More.....
31 May 2018	Navy League of Australia(Vic-Tas Div) May newsletter is now available to download.....
30 May 2018	Assistance dog trial to help tackle veteran mental health The Federal Government is putting veterans first with an innovative trial of assistance dogs for veterans. La Trobe University in Victoria will partner with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) in conducting a $2 million trial of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) assistance dogs for veterans, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester announced today. “I am pleased to announce that DVA has engaged La Trobe University, in partnership with the Centre for Service and Therapy Dogs Australia, to undertake the trial of assistance dogs for veterans with PTSD as a supplement to clinical treatment,” Mr Chester said. More.....
30 May 2018	Australian and French warships exercise off Darwin When more than 25,000 tonnes of steel in the shape of three warships exercise in close proximity to each other, it is an impressive example of each crew's warfighting and seamanship skills. That display occurred when HMAS Newcastle trained with French Navy Ships Dixmude and Surcouf off the coast of Darwin recently. Newcastle practiced gunnery serials, officer of the watch manoeuvres, communication exercises and replenishment at sea approaches with the two French vessels over a four-day period. More.....
30 May 2018	Light used to protect ships and the marine environment Light could hold the key to reducing operational costs for Defence and protect ships and the environment from marine pest invaders. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, today announced Defence Science and Technology (DST) and the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) are researching a novel approach of using ultra-violet (UV) light to protect particular sensitive areas on a ship’s hull from biofouling. Biofouling is the accumulation of marine life on a ship’s hull. More.....
30 May 2018	Austal launches first of 21 new Pacific Patrol Boats Australian shipbuilder Austal on May 30 announced that the first of overall 21 Pacific Patrol Boats was launched after officially starting construction in April 2017. The first vessel in the class is scheduled for delivery to Papua New Guinea in late October 2018. The boats are also known as the Guardian-class and are being built under a A$305 million contract Austal signed with the Australian government in May 2016. More.....
30 May 2018	Naval Reservists to play greater role in RAN future force The Naval Reserve is to play an increasing role in supporting Navy to ‘fight and win at sea’ as the RAN develops the structures to grow its future workforce. Plans are underway to further integrate the part-time and full-time elements of the Navy with a clear focus on meeting Navy’s current and future requirements. More.....
29 May 2018	The Australian Navy is cracking down on sailors’ alcohol consumption Royal Australian Navy sailors will have to be more careful on shore leaves in the future as the navy is reportedly starting a crackdown on drunken sailors in foreign ports. According to a report by the Australian ABC, the navy has issued a new fleet directive which includes curfews and mandatory breath testing and applies to sailors of all ranks. The new directive is reportedly in response to recent incidents in overseas ports involving Australian navy personnel. More.....
29 May 2018	HMAS Warramunga seizes more illicit narcotics
29 May 2018	Victorian Maritime Industry - Chrissie in July 27th of July at the Mission to Seafarers The 2018 Victorian Maritime Industry social event will he held on the evening of 27 July, to celebrate Christmas in July, at the Mission to Seafarers from 6PM to Midnight. The Victorian Maritime Industry celebrates its second annual social event, following on from the success of 2017. The event is held to revel in the remarkable diversity of our industry, bringing together as many parts of the industry as possible for a night of celebration. Download flyer.....
28 May 2018	US warships sail near Chinese-claimed Paracel Islands in South China Sea A US Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer and a Ticonderoga-class cruiser sailed near South China Sea islands claimed by China in a freedom of navigation operation (FONOP) on May 27. USS Higgins (DDG-76) and USS Antietam (CG-54) sailed within 12 nautical miles of the Paracel Islands, which are controlled by China. Referred to as Xisha Islands in Chinese, the islands are also claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam. More.....
28 May 2018	NVN's May Newsletter - download..... NOTE from Webmaster: If you are a member and haven't been notified that your monthly newsletter is available to download, the email address you supplied on joining is incorrect or out of date. To correct this, contact the webmaster at: and he will copy and amend your address.
28 May 2018	Capability matters - supporting Women in Navy Navy has joined the nation’s leading defence industry partners to support and develop in women in engineering and technical fields. Navy’s goal is to increase female representation rate to 25% by 2023. ‘The future through collaboration (TFTC) Women in Engineering Mentoring program’, is a defence industry initiative which sponsors women working in engineering and project management. More.....
26 May 2018	Service buttons needed to remember our fallen Navy members present and past are being encouraged to send in their old dress uniform buttons as part of an ambitious project to commemorate those who died in World War One. Every week, hundreds of volunteers gather at sites around Australia to create poppies that will make up a stunning tribute at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. They are part of the 5000 Poppies Project, a nationwide community tribute of respect and remembrance. More.....
25 May 2018	Navy contribution to Exercise Croix du Sud
25 May 2018	Survivor of USS Frank E. Evans disaster that killed son dies at 93 Lawrence Reilly Sr. barely survived the 1969 collision that sent half of the USS Frank E. Evans to the bottom of the South China Sea with his namesake son and 73 other shipmates trapped inside. The father spent the last years of his life unsuccessfully trying to convince the Pentagon to add those 74 names to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Reilly, a retired U.S. Navy master chief, died Wednesday at a Syracuse hospital from complications from pneumonia, according to his daughter, Luanne Oda, of Syracuse. He was 93. Reilly and Lawrence Jr. were aboard the Evans when the destroyer was cut in half by an Australian aircraft carrier during a training exercise in the South China Sea in early June 1969, during the height of the Vietnam War. More.....
25 May 2018	Two hauls in two days for HMAS Warramunga HMAS Warramunga has seized two more hauls of illicit narcotics valued at approximately AUD$315.4 million following boarding operations in international waters of the Arabian Sea this week. Warramunga is currently deployed to the Middle East under Operation Manitou and over the course of two days while assigned to Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF, the ship detected two separate suspect vessels via their MH-60R Seahawk Romeo helicopter. The ship’s boarding party was subsequently deployed and upon conducting searches uncovered approximately 6.2 tonnes of hashish on the two vessels. More.....
24 May 2018	US disinvites China from exercise RIMPAC 2018 The US defense department has decided to withdraw its invitation for China to take part in the upcoming large-scale exercise Rim of the Pacific in Hawaii. This was announced by Pentagon spokesman Marine Lt. Col. Christopher Logan who said the decision was part of the US response to China’s actions in the South China Sea and its militarization of artificial islands. More.....
24 May 2018	UK, France launch joint cruise/anti-ship missile inquiry The committees of the British House of Commons and the French National Assembly have decided to launch a joint inquiry into the development of a new generation of cruise and anti-ship missiles. Following the proposal of Dr. Julian Lewis, chairman of the House of Commons Defence Committee, and Jean-Jacques Bridey, chairman of the National Defence and Armed Forces Committee of the French National Assembly, both sides have agreed to deepen their collaboration. More.....
24 May 2018	New info released on discovery of “holy grail of shipwrecks” A 2015 expedition aboard the Colombian Navy research ship ARC Malpelo discovered the famous shipwreck of 300-year-old Spanish ship San José which is believed to have sunk with a cargo gold, silver, and emeralds worth billions of dollars. The shipwreck was discovered on November Nov. 27, 2015, but Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), one of the expedition participants, just recently obtained authorization by Maritime Archaeology Consultants (MAC), Switzerland AG, and the Colombian government to release new details from the successful search. More.....
23 May 2018	USS Gerald R Ford returns to port with propulsion issues The US Navy’s newest aircraft carrier was forced to return to port after suffering another propulsion issue as it set out for a new round of at sea testing. The recently-commissioned USS Gerald R. Ford got underway from Norfolk on May 19 but was forced to return due to a propulsion system issue related to a recent design change, a Navy Times report says. More.....
23 May 2018	Royal Navy’s Dreadnought submarines facing £2.9b funding gap The UK defense ministry’s program for the development of a new class of nuclear missile submarines and Trident nuclear program renewal is facing a £2.9b “affordability gap”, a review by spending watchdog National Audit Office (NAO) has found. This is in addition to the pressure faced by the defense ministry to keep the nuclear enterprise affordable as around a quarter of the department’s equipment expenditure for 2018 to 2028 relates to nuclear programs. More.....
23 May 2018	Veterans Financial Support and Extended Family Support Package Dear ..... I am writing to advise you of the 1 May 2018 commencement of two new measures designed to benefit veterans and their families. These measures were announced last year and have been mentioned during a recent meeting of the Ex-Service Organisation Round Table. Veteran Payment As part of DVA’s commitment to improving access to services for veterans and their families, the new Veteran Payment is now available to eligible individuals and their partners. This payment provides interim financial support to veterans who cannot work or support themselves while they await liability decisions on claims for mental health conditions under either the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA) or the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (DRCA). Full details are in the following documents: Covering Letter..... Veterans Payment Overview..... How to Access Veteran Payment..... Family Support Package for Veterans and their Families..... Family Support Package for Widow(er)s.....
23 May 2018	Arunta upgrade marks milestone for frigates The Warship Asset Management Agreement (WAMA) Alliance has achieved a critical milestone with the removal of HMAS Arunta’s mast during its Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP). The mast removal is required to allow for the installation of a new radar system and was conducted at BAE Systems, Henderson, Western Australia. WAMA Alliance Major Projects Implementation Manager CMDR Steve Ford said the program would incorporate the SEA 1448 Phase 4B Air Search Radar, a replacement to the ageing SPS49 Long Range Air search radar. More.....
23 May 2018	USS Constitution underway to mark 50th Vietnam War anniversary Sailors aboard the world’s oldest commissioned warship still afloat got underway from the ship’s berth in Charlestown, Massachusetts, on May 18, to mark the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. USS Constitution is sailing with Vietnam veterans onboard as a thank you for their years of service and sacrifice for their country. More.....
23 May 2018	Funding applications open for Veterans' Health Week 2018 Nutrition will be the theme for this year's Veterans' Health Week with funding for applications to support events highlighting the week now open for ex-service organisations (ESOs) and community groups. Minister for Veterans' Affairs Darren Chester said Veterans' Health Week in September was a fantastic opportunity for ESOs and community groups to positively engage with veterans in their communities and promote the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle. More.....
22 May 2018	SPY - Espionage in Australia A travelling exhibition 'SPY', launched by the National Archives of Australia opens in Wagga Wagga on Thursday 24th May 2018. On 31st May 2018 the exhibition will move to the Museum of the Riverina's Historic Council Chambers and be open until 12th August 2018. The Exhibition contains interesting information on the RAN's involvement with code breaking, principally through the work of Captain Eric Nave before, during and after WW2.
21 May 2018	HMAS Adelaide and Canberra head out to sea
21 May 2018	China’s strategic strait in the South China Sea (part 1) In a highly provocative move, China has deployed anti‑ship cruise missiles (ASCMs), as well as surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, to three disputed territories—Mischief Reef, Fiery Cross Reef and Subi Reef—in the South China Sea. The deployment extends China’s military capability within the South China Sea and can be seen as another challenge to the findings of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. More.....
21 May 2018	Submissions sought to inquiry into compensation and rehabilitation for veterans Submissions for the Productivity Commission inquiry into Compensation and Rehabilitation for Veterans are being encouraged by Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester. Mr Chester said this is an important opportunity for veterans, the ex-service community and the broader Australian public to contribute to this independent inquiry and have their say on how services and programmes are delivered in the future. “The inquiry is looking at not only the current system of compensation and rehabilitation for veterans but also how to ensure the system is fit for purpose in the future,” Mr Chester said. More.....
19 May 2018	Veterans’ Affairs Minister focussed on transition Improving the way veterans transition into civilian life will continue to be a major focus for the Coalition Government following the Federal Budget. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester met with the Tasmanian veteran community at the annual RSL Tasmania State Congress. "Transitioning to civilian life and finding meaningful employment post-service can be a challenge for some ADF personnel,” Mr Chester told the conference. More.....
19 May 2018	Capability on display for launch of NUSHIP Sydney The Royal Australian Navy’s newest ship has been launched during a ceremony at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. The Hobart Class Destroyer Sydney carries a proud name and is a significant warfighting enhancement to Australia’s fleet. Air Warfare Destroyers like NUSHIP Sydney use a combination of global and Australian technology, to provide defence to a Task Group from air, surface and submarine threats. They are the first Australian ships equipped with the US Aegis weapon system, which significantly enhances Navy warfighting capability and allows them to work more closely with our allies than ever before. More.....
18 May 2018	Royal Navy selling former minehunter as potential “stylish restaurant or floating bar” The Royal Navy is selling its decommissioned minehunter HMS Walney and is advertising the vessel as a “one of a kind opportunity” for potential buyers. Announcing the potential sale of the vessel, the navy said Walney has potential to be turned into “a houseboat, a stylish restaurant, a floating bar or even an office-space packed with individuality”. More.....
18 May 2018	Navantia, BAE Systems ink Australian AWD destroyer maintenance deal Navantia Australia and BAE Systems have signed a contract for the maintenance of Royal Australian Navy Hobart-class air warfare destroyers. According to Navantia, the agreement for “platform system design and engineering assurance services” was signed at the Garden Island Naval Base on Tuesday, 15 May 2018. Under the contract, Navantia Australia will provide ship, product and supply chain knowledge and will add an additional 14 design and engineering experts into the Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG) enterprise. More.....
18 May 2018	Naval Group Australia appoints CEO, Future Submarine program director Naval Group Australia on May 18 announced that its board of directors appointed John Davis as the chief executive officer (CEO) and Future Submarine program director. John Davis will be in charge of the delivering a fleet of 12 new submarines to the Royal Australian Navy as part of the Future Submarine Program. This includes the design of a new submarine shipyard at the Osborne Naval Shipbuilding precinct in South Australia. More.....
17 May 2018	France’s sole aircraft carrier refloated in mid-life refit milestone French Navy’s sole aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle has entered the water again after spending over 14 months in the dry dock as part of her mid-life upgrade. The aircraft carrier was refloated at the Toulon navy base on May 16 after entering the dry dock on February 8, 2017. FS Charles de Gaulle will spend the next few months undergoing further modifications and fine tuning before starting sea trials in the fall. A return to the fleet is expected to take place in 2019. More.....
17 May 2018	French frigate seizes $61M of heroin in Red Sea The French Navy frigate La Fayette seized 260 kg of heroin when interdicting a “suspicious dhow” in the Red Sea on May 11. It is her third seizure of narcotics in less than a month, the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) said. In an operation coordinated by Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150), Marine Nationale Frigate La Fayette was conducting maritime security operations and working closely with a French Navy Falcon patrol aircraft. More.....
17 May 2018	Young Endeavour posting ends for Navy birdie The first birdie to serve in STS Young Endeavour will fly back to HMAS Albatross when her posting to the sail training tall ship ends later this month. Leading Seaman Aircraft Technician Avionics Megan Horne joined the brigantine in 2015 after a posting at Training Authority Aviation and completed a suitability voyage on Young Endeavour’s world voyage. More.....
16 May 2018	Australian Defence Force trained with partners at Exercise Bersama Shield 2018 The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has taken to the sea and skies of Malaysia and Singapore to enhance interoperability and strengthen the professional relationships of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) nations. Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom participated in the bi-annual Exercise Bersama Shield 18, focusing on the conduct of a combined joint maritime, land and air operations in a multi-threat environment. More.....
16 May 2018	Exercise Croix Du Sud launches into action Around 300 members of the Australian Defence Force have joined a French-led multinational force to participate in valuable disaster response training designed to increase Australia’s interoperability with other regional nations. Running until 25 May, Exercise Croix Du Sud (Southern Cross) 18 is the largest humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) training exercise in the South Pacific. Led by the French Armed Forces of New Caledonia (FANC), Croix Du Sud is held every two years as part of France’s engagement in the region. More.....
15 May 2018	Audit: Australian multi-billion shipbuilding plan carries extreme risk Australian government’s $89 billion program to develop new ships and submarines carries a high to extreme level of risk, the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) warned in its recent audit. The shipbuilding program for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) encompasses new submarines, major surface combatants and Offshore Patrol Vessels. The program seeks to generate economic growth and sustain Australian jobs. More.....
15 May 2018	Indonesian Chief of Navy's visit to Sydney
15 May 2018	Naval Historical Society of Australia (Victorian Chapter) President's May Musings are now available to download.....
13 May 2018	Navy expands its role in the north The Royal Australian Navy continues to strengthen its presence in Darwin with the Commanding Officer of HMAS Coonawarra appointed as Senior Australian Defence Force Officer (SADFO) of two Top End Defence bases recently. It is the first time the Commanding Officer of Coonawarra has been appointed as SADFO of both Larrakeyah Defence Precinct and Defence Establishment Berrimah. The position was previously held by the Deputy Commander of Northern Command (DCOM NORCOM) and appointed by the Chief of Joint Operations (CJOPS). More.....
12 May 2018	HMAS Warramunga interdicts eleventh narcotics haul Building on its already successful Operation MANITOU deployment, the crew of HMAS Warramunga has seized and disposed of 295 kilograms of heroin valued at about $88.5 million while patrolling waters in the Arabian Sea on 10 May 2018. The illicit narcotics interdiction is Warramunga’s 11th seizure in the seven months since deploying to the region in November 2017, and has further disrupted the flow of terrorist funding in the Middle East. Warramunga’s illicit drug interceptions now total 19.5 tonnes of hashish and almost 2 tonnes of heroin, valued at approximately $1.56 billion. More.....
11 May 2018	HMAS Adelaide gears up for Indo-Pacific deployment, RIMPAC Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock HMAS Adelaide is making final preparations for a three-month deployment which will include participation in RIMPAC, the world’s largest international maritime exercise taking place off Hawaii. Adelaide’s journey across the South Pacific to Hawaii and back is called Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2018 (IPE18) and represents the second iteration of the Indo-Pacific Endeavour activity which concluded in late 2017. More.....
10 May 2018	HMAS Anzac to participate in multilateral exercise HMAS Anzac has joined participants from 36 other nations off the coast of Lombok, Indonesia while in the region as part of their South East Asia deployment. Anzac was one of 49 warships at anchor for a Fleet Inspection to mark the opening of Multilateral Naval Exercise KOMODO 2018. During the shore phase of KOMODO, sailors and officers from around the world are taking part in parades, cultural and sporting events, and engagement activities. More.....
09 May 2018	Budget puts veterans and their families first Veterans and their families will continue to come first with $100 million in additional funding provided in the 2018-19 Budget announced on Tuesday. This funding is in addition to ongoing funds allocated to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). In 2018-19, this ongoing funding will total $11.2 billion. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the additional $100 million investment will help fund the continuing reform process underway at DVA. This transformation will ensure veterans and their families receive the services and support they need. More.....
09 May 2018	20th Anniversary of the HMAS Westralia Fire
08 May 2018	Tigers roam over Scotland Navy’s ability to track and hunt submarines is being put to the test in a high-end warfare exercise off the coast of Scotland. Exercise JOINT WARRIOR 2018 has seen 816 Squadron join one of the world’s largest and most challenging exercises in anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The exercise is a NATO-run anti-submarine warfare activity, involving eleven nations. Three submarines, two conventional and one nuclear, are the main focus, along with more than thirty surface assets and multiple ASW helicopters and Maritime Patrol Aircraft. More.....
08 May 2018	France to build fifth nuclear Barracuda-class submarine French defense minister Florence Parly announced on May 4 that another Barracuda-class nuclear attack submarine was ordered for the French Navy. According to a defense ministry statement, the decision to order the fifth boat in the class was made during a defense ministry meeting on May 2. More.....
08 May 2018	A Safer Australia - Budget 2018–19 Defence Overview The Turnbull Government’s first priority is the safety and security of Australia and its people. The 2018–19 Budget will provide national and economic security, while generating thousands of Australian jobs. The Budget provides funding to continue to deliver: More.....
08 May 2018	Navy Values photography competition seeks entries New Generation Navy is holding a photography competition in order to identify the most appropriate images for the soon to be updated Navy Values posters. Navy members are encouraged to submit their entries within the next two weeks, with the deadline for submissions being Monday 25th May. Selected images will be recognised with a $100 gift voucher, but more importantly, photographers will have played a real part in refreshing the Navy Values images currently displayed throughout all our ships and establishments. More.....
08 May 2018	Regional mine warfare teams unite to secure regional trade The risk posed by sea mines will be a key focus at this year’s Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS) Mine Countermeasures and Diving Exercise (MCM DIVEX), hosted by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on the New South Wales south coast. MCM DIVEX is hosted by a WPNS member every two years. This year’s exercise will be held at HMAS Creswell from 7-18 May. More.....
07 May 2018	First unmanned minesweeping system delivered to Royal Navy An autonomous minesweeper system that can safely clear sea lanes of mines has been handed over to the Royal Navy, UK Defence Minister Guto Bebb has announced. Following a period of successful trials, the demonstrator system could go on to be used by the navy in the future to defeat the threat of modern digital mines. The system has been designed and manufactured by Atlas Elektronik UK in Dorset, under a £13 million contract with the Ministry of Defence. More.....
05 May 2018	Australians encouraged to recognise Battle of Coral Sea The 76th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, which ended Japanese attempts on Port Moresby by sea, will be commemorated today with a national service at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester said the Battle of the Coral Sea had long been regarded as “the battle that saved Australia”. More.....
04 May 2018	CNO Announces Establishment of U.S. 2nd Fleet Chief of Naval Operations, Adm. John Richardson, announced the establishment of U.S. 2nd Fleet during a change of command ceremony for U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFF) in Norfolk, May 4. Second Fleet will exercise operational and administrative authorities over assigned ships, aircraft and landing forces on the East Coast and northern Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, it will plan and conduct maritime, joint and combined operations and will train, certify and provide maritime forces to respond to global contingencies. More.....
04 May 2018	Largest military drill in Black Sea kicks off 21 military ships, 10 combat aircraft and a submarine are taking part in Sea Shield 18 from May 4 to 11. As informed by the Romanian Navy, more than 2,300 troops from Bulgaria, Greece, the United Kingdom, Romania, Spain, the United States, Turkey and Ukraine will implement NATO standard procedures to combat asymmetric, aerial, submarine and maritime threats according to a scenario based on a fictional geopolitical situation. More.....
04 May 2018	Russian Navy to expand fleet with 6 new warships in 2018 The Russian Navy is expected to receive six new warships and four repaired ones by the end of 2018, the country’s news agency Tass reported. “Until the end of the year, sailors will get another four constructed and four repaired warships,” Sergei Shoigu, Minister of Defense, was cited by Tass as saying. He added that the United Shipbuilding Corporation (OSK) is constructing, repairing and maintaining numerous combat ships under Russia’s armament program. More.....
03 May 2018	Investments focus on more lethal force, US Navy Secretary says The naval enterprise is investing in its people and capabilities to build a more lethal force in the age of great power competition, US Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer said. “We’re building the Navy the nation needs and the Marine Corps of the future,” Spencer said at a Pentagon news briefing on May 2. The naval enterprise is investing in modernization of key capabilities and new technologies to continue to provide warfighters with everything they need to “fight tonight,” he said. More.....
03 May 2018	HMAS Canberra hosts French President French President Emmanuel Macron seized an opportunity to meet with Royal Australian Navy personnel during a three day visit to Australia. In a sign of strengthening ties between the two countries, Mr Macron and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull visited submarine HMAS Waller and Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Canberra berthed at Garden Island, Sydney. More.....
02 May 2018	Australia and France strengthen defence relationship Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne and French Assistant Minister for Defense Mrs Genevieve Darrieussecq today signed a Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) between the nations. The MLSA will improve the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and French Armed Forces combined operations by enabling mutual access to logistics services, resources and logistics training. More.....
02 May 2018	Boost for the Australian-France defence industry relationship Australia-France defence industry ties will be further enhanced after Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced the establishment of an annual Australia-France Defence Industry Symposium. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP will co-chair the symposium with his French counterpart, Minister Florence Parly, and said he was looking forward with working with Minister Parly to progress this important initiative. More.....
01 May 2018	Aircraft carrier Kennedy to be christened by end 2019 The US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is likely to be launched three months earlier than planned, shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries said. Kennedy, the second ship in the Gerald R. Ford class of carriers, is scheduled to be christened in the fourth quarter of 2019 and delivered to the US Navy in 2022. More.....
01 May 2018	Navantia chooses SMA for Future Frigate bid Navantia Australia has selected another Australian company that would join it in its bid for the Royal Australian Navy’s Future Frigate program. Scientific Management Associates (SMA) has been selected to develop and deliver specialized integrated logistics system (ILS) documentation for Navantia's F5000 future frigate design. As informed, SMA will support the F-5000 Plans for Training Support, Facilities, Disposal and Usage Upkeep. More.....
30 Apr 2018	Anzac Day in Singapore a moving experience A team from HMAS Success has attended the Anzac Day Dawn Service at Singapore’s Kranji War Cemetery as part of their deployment to South East Asia. The Kranji War Cemetery commemorates a significant chapter in Australia’s wartime history when during World War II, Australian Forces as a component of Commonwealth Forces, assisted in the defence of Malaya and Singapore against the advancing Imperial Japanese Army. The Singapore Memorial is situated in the Kranji War Cemetery and both are dedicated to their sacrifice. More.....

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Request for Committal of Ashes to the Sea. Download form.....

Current Repatriation Benefits for Gold Card Veterans -
As of 01 January 2018
This is a list of products that are available on a Doctor's prescription for Gold Card Repatriation Patients. Download the list.....

DVA Mobile Apps

The new Operation Life mobile application is designed to help those at risk deal with suicidal thoughts and is recommended to be used with the support of a clinician.

The High Res (High Resilience) app helps you manage stress, build resilience and optimise performance on the go.

The PTSD Coach Australia app can help you learn about and manage symptoms that commonly occur after trauma.

ON TRACK with the Right Mix mobile app from the Department of Veterans Affairs helps you to keep track of the number and types of drinks you consume; the amount of money it's costing you and lets you know about the impact the alcohol has on your wellbeing and fitness levels.

Guide to the assessment of rates of veterans’ pensions
Guide to the assessment of rates of veterans’ pensions (GARP) is used to assess the extent of incapacity from war caused or defence caused injury or disease for the purposes of determining the rate of pension. Download.....

Planning ahead kit
Overview: Planning Ahead is a publication designed to help veterans and their families prepare for bereavement. There is also a checklist that can be used to record the contact details of important people, businesses and organisations that may need to be notified in case of your death. Download.....

DVA Concessions Fact Sheets
Factsheet CON01 - Concessions in NSW
Factsheet CON02 - Concessions in Vic
Factsheet CON03 - Concessions in QLD
Factsheet CON04 - Concessions in SA
Factsheet CON05 - Concessions in WA
Factsheet CON06 - Concessions in Tas
Factsheet CON07 - Concessions in NT
Factsheet CON08 - Concessions in ACT

War Service

Check your ship's eligibility for war service.....

News & Articles of Interest

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DVA
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