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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the APRIL edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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BROADSIDE - APRIL 2026 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" arrows. |
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29 April Aussies
learn the lay of the land at seaTwo Royal Australian Navy (RAN) members have been forging connections at sea on board the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force frigate JS Kumano. Lieutenant Craig Grant and Able Seaman Isabella Anderson embarked on deployments, along with 21 other RAN members, to gain familiarisation with Australia’s incoming new frigate class and reinforce an already strong partnership. More..... |
28 April Strengthening
Australian and Malaysian naval tiesKD Lekir and HMAS Warramunga arrived at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia recently to complete the bilateral Malaysia-Australia Training Exercise (MASTEX). The biannual activity brings together the Royal Malaysian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy for a week of maritime training designed to strengthen cooperation and understanding. More..... |
28 April Anzac
Day commemorated at GallipoliAs the sun rose on another Anzac Day at Anzac Cove, Türkiye, the members of Australia’s Federation Guard and the Royal Australian Air Force Band were ready to showcase their hard work. More..... |
27 April Future
frigate programme bolstered as Norway joins UK, Canada and
AustraliaNorway has joined the Royal Navies of the UK, Canada and Australia to forge a formidable future Global Combat Ship partnership. The Royal Norwegian Navy was officially welcomed into the team which is overseeing the development, construction and operation of a common class of up to 34 world-class warships as Captain Alex Erichsen signed the Global Combat Ship User Group Charter. More..... |
27 April Japan
is sending warships to Australia in a landmark deal, and
there could be plenty more to followAustralia's multi-billion-dollar deal with Japan for its future warships could set a template that will help Tokyo rapidly expand defence exports across Asia as Tokyo mulls an overhaul of its post-war pacifist constitution. Last weekend, the federal government announced it had signed a contract with the Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the first three of the 11 upgraded Mogami-class frigates. More..... |
25 April Remains
of USS Arizona crew buried as unknowns after Pearl Harbor to
be identifiedThe Navy and the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) have dropped their initial opposition to disinterring the graves of battleship Arizona crew members buried more than 80 years ago as unknowns for possible identification and return to their families. More..... |
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25 April Anzac Day Hero video Before the sun rises over our shores, before the world wakes, we remember them. We remember those who answered a call not for glory but for something greater than themselves. We remember their courage and sacrifice. We also extend our deepest gratitude to the families whose strength at home makes service possible. Lest We Forget |
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25 April HMAS Toowoomba as they commemorate Anzac Day at sea Hear from the crew of HMAS Toowoomba as they commemorate Anzac Day at sea. |
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25 April Reflecting
on a long and proud legacy of serviceA message from Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston One hundred and eleven years ago, on April 25, 16,000 Australians and New Zealanders landed on the beaches of what we now call Anzac Cove. For many of them, this was their first time away from home, a chance for a great adventure. By the next morning, 2000 of them had been killed or injured. By the end of the Gallipoli campaign, more than 8000 Australians had been killed and almost 18,000 injured. More..... |
24 April Families
that live the Anzac spiritFor many officers and sailors on HMAS Toowoomba, Anzac Day isn’t just a day of remembrance, it’s the touchstone of who they are. Like Chief Petty Officer Daniel Wales, whose family has answered Australia’s call for more than a century. He’s a fifth-generation member of the Australian Defence Force, tracing his family’s service back through every conflict to The Great War. More..... |
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24 April CDF ANZAC Day Address 2026 On Anzac Day, we mark the landings at Gallipoli of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers in 1915 and commemorate all Australian personnel who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. We reflect on their courage, discipline and self-sacrifice. |
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24 April Bugle
call to BullecourtFor Able Seaman Brenton Knight, travelling to France for Anzac Day this year was not just a ceremonial duty, but the continuation of a legacy that was almost lost to history. More than a century ago, his great-great uncle, Private Victor Hardaker of the 28th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, left his home on the New South Wales north coast to serve his country in World War I. More..... |
24 April Remembering
nurse's contribution to military historyAn Australian Army nurse killed in World War II was honoured by an all‑female catafalque party during a Last Post ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on April 15. Lieutenant Irene Singleton was aboard the Vyner Brooke, being evacuated from Singapore with other nurses, when the ship was sunk by Japanese bombs. More..... |
24 April Sailor's
personal connection to the Western FrontOn March 25, 1917, in Bapaume, France, Lance Corporal Jules Schuller of the 20th Infantry Battalion was sheltering in a town hall alongside his comrades when a German delayed-action explosive detonated, killing him and those around him. More than a century later, his great-great niece, Able Seaman Rachel Brandt, has travelled to France to walk the same ground and honour his sacrifice. More..... |
24 April Extended
eligibility criteria announced for the Timor-Leste
Solidarity MedalThe Australian Government has accepted an offer from the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency José Ramos-Horta, to extend the eligibility criteria of the Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal. The Timor-Leste Solidarity Medal is a foreign award that recognises the contribution of the men and women who supported stability and peace operations in Timor-Leste. More..... |
23 April Fleet
Engagement Camp inspires Navy cadetsAustralian Navy Cadets (ANC) from across the country recently flocked to Cockatoo Island for the ANC 2026 Fleet Engagement Camp. The week-long camp gave 82 cadets the opportunity to engage in and observe a variety of maritime experiences with Navy, the Australian National Maritime Museum and the NSW Police Marine Area Command. More..... |
23 April The
power of a simple bugle callMusician Able Seaman Andrew Bryce has sounded the Last Post for more than 26 years, and understands the power of the simple bugle call in the lead-up to Anzac Day. The trumpet player in the Royal Australian Navy Band Melbourne has played the poignant strains at Gallipoli and Villers-Bretonneux, at AFL and NRL games, and at state and veterans’ funerals. More..... |
22 April Dropping
a line to the next generationEach year, hundreds of young Australians receive a letter from Commodore David Greaves that they cherish. They are Navy Cadets, many of whom joined the youth development program at 12 years old, and are now ‘ageing out’ having turned 18. Commodore Greaves, the Director General Australian Navy Cadets (ANC), outlined the effort he puts into the annual tradition. More..... |
21 April Australian
Government to invest up to $7 billion in counter drone
defenceThe Government will more than double investment in counter drones for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with up to $7 billion allocated under the Integrated Investment Program (IIP) over the next decade. As part of the major boost in investment, the Government today announced two initial contracts for Aussie made next-generation counter‑drone platforms. More..... |
21 April Final
Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivered to MaldivesThe Republic of Maldives has taken delivery of the final Guardian‑class Patrol Boat provided by Australia under the Defence Cooperation Program in an official handover ceremony at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia. This delivery builds on the long-standing relationship between Australia and Maldives, grounded in mutual trust and respect, and represents a significant milestone in our bilateral defence engagement. More..... |
20 April First-hand
look at Japanese frigate operationsRoyal Australian Navy (RAN) personnel recently gained first-hand exposure to Japan’s Mogami-class frigate and a clear view of the advanced capabilities shaping Australia’s future surface fleet. Several personnel embarked on board the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) frigate JS Kumano before and during Exercise Kakadu. More..... |
20 April French
town where war dead are not forgottenIn the farming country of northern France, a small town carries a quiet Australian accent. Villers-Bretonneux does not announce itself loudly. A small town that sits amid the rolling hills and broad skies along the river Somme in Picardie, its quaint redbrick buildings were rebuilt after the devastation of a war more than 100 years ago. More..... |
20 April PLAN
Carrier Fujian Expected to Achieve Full Readiness This Year,
Chinese State Media SaysBeijing’s newest and largest aircraft carrier is expected to achieve full operational readiness this year, Chinese state media reported when highlighting the rapid progress of the country’s carrier program and naval aviation developments. More..... |
20 April Saildrone
unveils new medium unmanned surface vessel for anti-sub
warfare, ISRCalifornia-based maritime drone manufacturer Saildrone unveiled a new medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV) that the company said can be optimized for anti-submarine warfare (AWS) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. The new MUSV comes in two variants: More..... |
18 April US
Marine Corps releases video showcasing new Medium Landing
Ship (LSM) designThe Marine Corps this week released a video showcasing the design and capabilities to move troops, equipment and supplies to shorelines without relying on established ports. The new LSM is based on the Damen Shipyards Group’s Landing Ship Transport 100, or LST-100, design, which has a range of 3,400 nautical miles and can beach itself to deliver over 800 tons of cargo such as vehicles, embarked forces and long range fire assets, according to the video. More..... |
18 April Dutch
broadcaster tracks carrier-group frigate with Bluetooth
gadgetDutch regional broadcaster Omroep Gelderland was able to track the Royal Netherlands Navy air-defense frigate Evertsen in real time by sending a Bluetooth tracker to the ship by military mail. The frigate is currently deployed in the Mediterranean Sea. The tracker was discovered while sorting mail on board, though only after Omroep Gelderland had been tracking the Evertsen for 24 hours, the broadcaster wrote on its website on Thursday. More..... |
17 April 2026
National Defence Strategy: Australia to build fleet of
Speartooth underwater vehiclesAustralia’s 2026 National Defence Strategy has confirmed plans to fund and introduce a fleet of Speartooth large uncrewed underwater vehicles. The Government is investing $4.8 to $5.8 billion over the decade to continue to develop and acquire cost-effective autonomous and uncrewed undersea warfare capabilities, according to information released under the government's multibillion-dollar 2026 National Defence Strategy and a revamped Integrated Investment Program (IIP). More..... |
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17 April Bugle Spotlight Able Seaman Bryce On Anzac Day, we mark the landings at Gallipoli of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers in 1915 and commemorate all Australian personnel who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. We reflect on their courage, discipline and self-sacrifice. |
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17 April Device
found near Bali and Lombok identified as Chinese undersea
monitoring systemA large torpedo-shaped device discovered near an island in a strategically important strait between Bali and Lombok has been identified by defence analysts as a Chinese undersea monitoring system. However, Beijing has dismissed concerns, saying, "there is no need for excessive interpretation or suspicion". More..... |
17 April A
century of service in the Indo-PacificThree of HMAS Toowoomba’s senior officers have spent almost a century between them patrolling the Indo-Pacific and beyond. Currently deployed on Toowoomba’s 2026 regional presence deployment across East Asia and South-East Asia, their task is to help deepen Australia’s defence partnerships across the region, enhancing the ability to work seamlessly with regional partners. More..... |
17 April The
gold standard in missile readinessA senior fire controller’s work establishing Tomahawk missile certification in Australia has earned him a gold commendation. Warrant Officer Loch Robertson, of the Naval Construction Branch, spearheaded the program for destroyers, and was recognised at the Capability Symposium on March 26. Australian certification allows Navy to independently assure safe operation, maintenance and sustainment of Tomahawks as they are introduced. More..... |
16 April Navy
ship adds weight to celebrationsThousands of locals flocked to see HMAS Warramunga at Albany’s PortFest open day, marking the Port of Albany’s 200-year contribution to Western Australia. Established in 1826 as the state’s first port, Albany later became the departure point for the first Anzac convoys in November 1914, underscoring Navy’s long connection to the historic deep-water harbour and its place in the Anzac story. More..... |
16 April A
lens across naviesHolland, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Cape Verde Islands, Jamaica, Afghanistan (twice), India, Russia, Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, Senegal, Mali, Norway, the Baltic, obviously all of the Atlantic, Iceland, Greenland, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It may read like a list from a unique travel guide, but this diverse country roll call reflects the experience that imagery specialist Leading Seaman Ioan Roberts brought with him when he transferred from the RN to the RAN three years ago. More..... |
15 April Defence
prepares for new National Defence StrategyA bigger, stronger and more lethal Defence Force is better placed to defend Australia and its interests, according to Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston. At a round table with Australian media, Admiral Johnston highlighted the ADF’s achievements under the 2024 National Defence Strategy, leading up to the 2026 strategy announcement this week. More..... |
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HMAS Toowoomba – High Seas Firing As part of its Regional Presence Deployment, HMAS Toowoomba conducted a live fire exercise in the South China Sea, allowing the crew to maintain their operational readiness. |
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15 April Triservice
team strengthens border securityMembers of the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force deployed as Transit Security Element (TSE) Rotation 119 in support of maritime security operations under Operation Resolute. Commanded by Lieutenant Commander Stacy Craigie, the triservice team operates alongside Navy and Australian Border Force vessels. More..... |
15 April From
flood relief to friendshipFor Leading Seaman Abbey Lane, a few hours in a flooded caravan park turned into a connection that still rings true every Christmas. During her 2022 Operation Flood Assist deployment to Tweed Heads, Leading Seaman Lane spent her time cleaning caravan parks, homes and public spaces, as well as loading and unloading trucks. More..... |
15 April Reciprocal
naval visits deepen tiesReciprocal port visits between Australia and Vietnam have been conducted for the first time. From March 28 to April 1, HMAS Toowoomba conducted a port visit to Da Nang in Vietnam as part of its regional presence deployment. The visit occurred shortly after Vietnam People’s Navy ship Quang Trung’s visit to Sydney Harbour to participate in the Royal Australian Navy’s Kakadu Fleet Review in March. More..... |
14 April Navy
names autonomous systems unitThe Royal Australian Navy has formally named the Maritime Autonomous Systems Unit (MASU), marking a key step in Navy’s transition to a more integrated and highly advanced technology‑enabled future force. MASU has been created through Project SEA 1200 to accelerate the development, integration and operational employment of maritime autonomous systems, optimised for persistent, long‑range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and strike missions. More..... |
14 April 'Feeding
the beast' at seaThe crew of HMAS Toowoomba has been sharpening their skills in the South China Sea with one of the ship’s primary weapons, the Mark 45 five-inch naval artillery gun. While from the outside, the firing looks relatively simple, Electronic Technician – Weapons Able Seaman Jessica Marchesani said it took a team to do it right. More..... |
14 April Veteran
and family volunteers join the Anzac Day Dawn Service
delivery teamsTaking part in an Anzac Day Dawn Service holds significant meaning for anyone connected to the ADF. This year, 23 veterans or family members of veterans have been selected to support DVA’s delivery of international Anzac Day Dawn Services. Volunteers will be supporting teams in Türkiye (Gallipoli), France (Villers-Bretonneux), Malaysia (Sandakan), Thailand (Hellfire Pass), Papua New Guinea (Isurava) and Singapore. More..... |
13 April Royal
Navy makes Pitcairn Island safe during explosive visitA team of Royal Navy divers safely detonated more than 3½ tonnes of explosives during a visit by HMS Tamar to the remote Pitcairn Islands. Pitcairn is a tiny British Overseas Territory in the southwest Pacific with only 38 residents and it is one the most isolated populated places in the world. More..... |
13 April Appointment
of leadership positions in the Australian Defence ForceThe Australian Government is pleased to recommend to Her Excellency, the Governor‑General, a number of senior command changes within the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Subject to the Governor‑General’s consideration and approval, these changes will take effect from July 2026. The Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AO RAN will be appointed as the Chief of the Defence Force. More..... |
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OUR APRIL HERO Vice Admiral Sir Richard Innes Peek, KBE CB DSO* US Legion of Merit  Richard Innes Peek joined the Royal Australian Navy College
in 1928 as a cadet midshipman. During his time there he let
it be known that he preferred to be known as "Peter" because
he disliked the ‘RIP’ monogram. He specialised as a Gunnery Officer and in 1942 was involved in the Battle of the Coral Sea on board HMAS Hobart. In 1943 on HMAS Australia, he was involved in the Battle of Leyte suffering severe burns. Then in the Battle of Lingayen Gulf as the Squadron Gunnery Officer. During the Korean War he commanded the destroyer HMAS Tobruk. Ever upwards, Peek climbed the tall command tree, ending with his promotion to Vice Admiral as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS). He is remembered as one of the RAN's most respected seagoing commanders, a leader who combined a "fearsome" disciplinary reputation with a genuine concern for the welfare of the sailors under his command. Continue reading about this outstanding hero..... |
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11 April CENTCOM:
US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class destroyers transit Strait of
Hormuz to clear mine threatAccording to U.S. Central Command, two Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. and USS Michael Murphy, transited the strait on April 11, initiating operations designed to “set conditions” for a broader mine clearance campaign. Rear Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, confirmed that the objective is to establish a secure maritime corridor for commercial shipping. More..... |
10 April Australia
and Vietnam train together at seaIn a display of maritime cooperation, Australia and Vietnam have sharpened their skills together in the South China Sea. Following a port visit to Da Nang, HMAS Toowoomba conducted cooperative training with their Vietnam People's Navy counterparts. Coincidentally, the training occurred shortly after the Vietnam People's Navy supported Exercise Kakadu off the east coast of Australia. More..... |
10 April Navy
Paralympian driven to inspire othersAble Seaman Taryn Dickens achieved exactly what she set out to do at the 2026 Winter Paralympics from March 6 to 15. “My goal was to cross the line, to show that you don’t have to win medals, and to show somebody else they can achieve this too,” Able Seaman Dickens said. She represented Australia in Para Cross-Country Skiing and Para Biathlon in Milano Cortina. More..... |
09 April Warfare
officer charts course to Kakadu reviewActing Sub-Lieutenant Sharni Pierce joined Navy to help people and explore the world. Little did she know she would first see the world in Sydney Harbour, as she played a critical role in navigating one of Navy’s warships through the bustling waterway during the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review. The young surface warfare officer joined Navy shortly after graduating high school in 2022, and played a key role in HMAS Stuart’s Fleet Review arrival. More..... |
09 April Returning
to sea with purposeAfter about two years working as a corrections officer in Western Australia, Leading Seaman Ryan Armstrong returned to sea on a regional presence deployment. Seeking a trade and a meaningful career, Leading Seaman Armstrong joined Navy at 18 as an electronics technician. After a deployment to the Middle East and the arrival of his first child, he discharged in 2023 to spend more time at home with his daughter. More..... |
08 April South
Korean Submarine Completes First Leg of Indo-Pacific Voyage
to CanadaA Republic of Korea Navy attack boat docked in Guam on Tuesday, completing the first leg of what will be the longest voyage of a South Korean submarine to date. ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho (SS-083), the first of Seoul’s KSS-III-class of diesel electric submarines, departed South Korea last month for Canada ahead of drills with the Royal Canadian Navy in support of Seoul’s pitch to Ottawa’s 12 attack boat program. More..... |
08 April Trailblazer
ends career at seaHMAS Warramunga’s Command Warrant Officer Kathryn Holmes is preparing to retire this year after 37 years of service. Originally from the small coal mining town of Leigh Creek, Warrant Officer Holmes joined Navy as a stores sailor shortly after finishing high school. She was among the first group of female junior sailors to go to sea in the Royal Australian Navy, posted to the Adelaide-class frigate HMAS Canberra II. More..... |
08 April From
the 'Purple Pony' to Kakadu, partners prevailHMAS Stuart’s principal warfare officer Lieutenant Sebastian Chee is no stranger to working with partner nation navies, and Exercise Kakadu was no different. One might expect working in the ship’s operations room to be isolating, but during Australia’s largest multinational exercise, Lieutenant Chee and his team were involved in multiple cross-decks and partner training opportunities. More..... |
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07 April Exercise Kakadu 2026 Exercise Kakadu remains the Royal Australian Navy's premier opportunity for our partners to come together, operate side‑by‑side, and strengthen the habits of cooperation that underpin security in our region. |
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07 April Australia
supports Canada’s Arctic radar plansAustralia’s world-leading Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) is set to play a central role in Canada’s ambitions to build the largest and most sensitive over-the-horizon radar (OTHR) system ever developed. The collaboration will strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with Canada and could become Australia’s biggest defence export in history. More..... |
07 April Navy
chef served good karmaA promise made more than 20 years ago has come full circle for maritime logistics chef Petty Officer Nandana Abeykoon. In the early 2000s, Petty Officer Abeykoon migrated from Sri Lanka to Australia in search of opportunity and a way to support his family. More..... |
07 April Japan
is pushing hard on autonomous weaponsJapan is going full steam in expanding its military use of uncrewed autonomous platforms and countering China’s. One policy has got this effort underway, and three more due this year will give a better idea of the shape of the effort. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has put the Ministry of Defense on notice for significant reform and development. More..... |
03 April Hegseth
asks Army’s top general to retire, fires two others as Iran
war ragesDefense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday asked U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George to step down and retire effective immediately, a Pentagon official told Military Times. The abrupt move, one of three significant changes made by Hegseth the same day, cuts short George’s tenure, which began in September 2023, well before the end of the typical four-year term. More..... |
02 April ‘Truly
one of a kind’ – Farewell to Harry, Britain’s oldest WW2
veteranFair winds and following seas to Harry Waddingham – believed to be Britain’s oldest WW2 veteran – who has died aged 109. Harry survived two sinkings in 12 months in the darkest hours of the conflict – firstly during the Dunkirk evacuation, then 12 months later during the German invasion of Crete. More..... |
02 April Cadets
sail into the history booksOn March 21, 49 Australian Navy Cadets and nine Australian Navy Cadet staff entered Sydney Harbour on board HMAS Canberra as part of the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review. More..... |
02 April Piper
continues ‘Tartan Terror’ traditionThe stirring sounds of the bagpipes are not something usually heard floating across Sydney Harbour. But as HMAS Stuart sailed through the Heads for the Kakadu Fleet Review, a lone naval piper played on her bow, the rousing sound cutting through rain and jet noise all the way under the Sydney Harbour Bridge. More..... |
02 April Defence's
long-term plan for First Nations supportDefence has released the Defence First Nations Commitment, establishing a clear, enterprise-wide framework to strengthen outcomes with First Nations peoples and enhance Defence’s organisational capability. More..... |
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01 April HMAS Stuart live-fire Naval Gunfire Support Exercise HMAS Stuart engaged in a live-fire Naval Gunfire Support Exercise, as part of the high-end warfighting phase of KA26. Stuart was in company with HMAS Ballarat, and JS Kumano. The exercise also included an air defence exercise, a submarine hunting exercise, and a number of other navigational and transit serials. |
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01 April Japan
Deploys New Hypersonic, Anti-ship MissilesTokyo’s first batch of long-range strike missiles capable of reaching ground and maritime targets at extended ranges have been operationally fielded, according to Japan’s defense ministry. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) announced Monday the deployment of the Type 25 series of missiles. More..... |
01 April Defence
and Veterans' Service Commissioner Bill passes ParliamentToday marks an important milestone in the Albanese Government’s implementation of the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide. The Parliament has passed the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner Bill 2025 and the Defence and Veterans’ Service Commissioner (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2025. More..... |
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News Archives:
For all news articles prior to 01 April 2026 go to our News Archive page |
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