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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the FEBRUARY edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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BROADSIDE - FEBRUARY 2026 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" arrows. |
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24 February $250m
upgrade secures Navy’s future footprint in North QueenslandAssistant Minister for Defence Peter Khalil has confirmed two major milestones in strengthening Defence capability in northern Australia, completing a $250 million wharf upgrade at HMAS Cairns and delivering a new dedicated training facility for Australian Navy Cadets. The 212-metre wharf, delivered by BESIX Watpac, forms part of the Navy Capability Infrastructure Subprogram and is designed to support the next generation of Royal Australian Navy vessels. More..... |
24 February Australia
commits $310m to secure nuclear propulsion systems for
SSN-AUKUS submarinesThe Australian government has announced a $310 million investment to procure critical long-lead components from the United Kingdom, marking a significant step forward in delivering Australia’s nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS program. The funding will support the manufacture of essential elements of the nuclear propulsion systems that will power Australia’s first two SSN-AUKUS submarines, which are scheduled to be built domestically at the Osborne Naval Shipyard. More..... |
23 February Creative
comeback for final Defence missionLieutenant Ben Jackson spent about 20 years working in film animation, where he worked on productions like television series Animalia, after completing a Bachelor of Animation degree at Griffith University. However, with a lifelong passion for engineering, he switched careers while completing an electrical engineering degree and joined Navy as an assistant weapons electrical engineer officer, currently based at HMAS Kuttabul. More..... |
23 February Navy
musician takes to world stageFor Musician Able Seaman Kieran Samuel, marching onto the field at Suncorp Stadium for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was a full-circle moment. A full-time musician with the Royal Australian Navy Band, Able Seaman Samuel plays the trombone – an instrument he first picked up at 10 years old. “The school band didn’t have any trombone players, so I was drawn to it,” he said. More..... |
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23 February ADF Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills Program The ADF Arts for Recovery, Resilience, Teamwork and Skills (ARRTS) Program is a four-week residential program held twice a year. |
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23 February USNI
News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 23, 2026These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Feb. 23, 2026, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship. More..... |
22 February British
nuclear-powered attack sub HMS Anson arrives in Perth for
training exercisesA British nuclear-powered attack submarine has arrived at a naval base near Perth for a month-long visit, which United Kingdom officials are hailing as proof of their "unwavering" and "water-tight" commitment to the AUKUS pact. It comes after the Australian frigate HMAS Toowoomba conducted another transit of the Taiwan Strait, where one of its helicopters was reportedly warned to leave sensitive airspace by the Taiwanese Air Force. More..... |
20 February Austal
lands massive $4 billion deal to build eight LCH vessels for
AustraliaAustal Defence Australia has been awarded a $4 billion contract for the construction of eight landing craft heavy (LCH) vessels, under the Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement (SSA) with the Commonwealth of Australia. Construction of the LCH vessels, based on the Damen LST100 design, will be undertaken using Austal facilities and the Common User Facility at Henderson in Western Australia. More..... |
20 February U.S.
Submarine Maintenance Period Demonstrates Forward
Sustainment in AustraliaLast November, on the edge of the Indian Ocean, just beyond mainland Australia and across the Garden Island Causeway to HMAS Stirling, a U.S. Virginia-class submarine quietly completed the first submarine maintenance period without the support of a U.S. submarine tender—a specialized vessel that provides mobile repair and supply services. What appeared to be a routine maintenance stop for the USS Vermont (SSN 792) carried far greater meaning for the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. More..... |
18 February Safer,
stronger batteries power Australia’s defenceAs Australia moves toward more advanced and self‑reliant defence capabilities, the energy systems that power Defence platforms and systems have never been more important. With technology evolving rapidly and new threats emerging, Defence platforms and systems relying solely on traditional lead‑acid batteries are no longer enough. For example, the main storage battery is the heart of a conventional submarine’s underwater operations – central to its stealth, endurance and overall effectiveness. More..... |
18 February The
trade that keeps ships goingWhen a Navy ship sails, most people picture helicopters launching, bridge teams navigating or sailors lining the deck. What they don’t see is the trade that keeps the ship alive beneath the surface. In the Royal Australian Navy, marine technicians are the quiet force that makes everything else possible. They are the ones ensuring a warship can fight through fire, flooding or system failures and keep going. More..... |
18 February US
to send more missile launchers to the Philippines despite
China’s alarmThe United States plans to deploy more high-tech missile systems to the Philippines to help deter aggression in the South China Sea, where the treaty allies on Tuesday condemned what they called China’s “illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities.” Beijing has repeatedly expressed alarm over the installation in the northern Philippines of a U.S. mid-range missile system called the Typhon in 2024 and of an anti-ship missile launcher last year. It said the U.S. weapons were aimed at containing China’s rise and warned that these were a threat to regional stability. More..... |
17 February Australia,
Philippines, and U.S. Conduct a Multilateral Maritime
Cooperative ActivityThe combined armed forces of Australia, the Philippines, and the United States, demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific while conducting a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, Feb. 15-16, 2026. As the first multilateral MCA of 2026, this event built on previous MCAs and our continuous operations together, which strengthen the interoperability of our armed and defense forces and their doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures. More..... |
17 February Not
today, but soon: fully autonomous air combat is comingTop Gun: Maverick begins with Rear Admiral Cain alluding to how Maverick and human pilots in general will have no place in the future of air combat. Maverick’s response is calm but defiant: ‘Maybe so, sir, but not today.’ The scene may be fictional, but it reflects current developments in military aviation as technological advances in increasingly autonomous uncrewed aircraft are disrupting long-standing doctrines developed around manned aircraft. The future that Maverick dismissed may be coming sooner than many thought, and in some respects may already have arrived. More..... |
17 February Stalwart
sailor returns homeWhile many young Australians join the Navy to see the world, the feeling of returning home is still something that is hard to beat, as Leading Seaman Joseph Walker discovered recently. A marine technician on board HMAS Stalwart, the Launceston native returned to his home state in February alongside his crewmates to commemorate an important Tasmanian tradition. More..... |
17 February Endurance
across the DerwentThree crew members of HMAS Stalwart have displayed a heart of oak – and plenty of grit – to brave the icy waters of the Derwent River. Representing Navy and its affinity with one of Tasmania’s most iconic events, they completed the Trans-Derwent swim – a 1.5km open water swim from Montagu Bay to the banks of the Regatta Grounds. It is a feature event of the Royal Hobart Regatta, with locals of all ages donning wet suits (or not) to cross the river under race conditions. More..... |
16 February Connecting
through time and spaceFor Able Seaman Elijah Simangan, sacrifice and service are not just merely words, they’re touchstones that define his family’s DNA. “My family knows [what] it is to fight for your country and your freedom,” he said. “Generations of my family have fought for their freedom, and I guess those values have passed down through the Simangan family.” Serving in the Royal Australian Navy, Able Seaman Simangan has the opportunity to visit Subic Bay in the Philippines when HMAS Toowoomba visited as part of its Regional Presence Deployment. More..... |
16 February Sailor
bridges cultures during port visitHMAS Warramunga is taking part in India’s International Fleet Review and Exercise Milan, strengthening Australia’s relationships with regional partners and contributing to a secure, stable Indo‑Pacific. Among the ship’s newest sailors supporting this engagement is Seaman Puneet Bandaru. Born in Hyderabad, India, he migrated to Sydney, Australia, in 2005. Seaman Bandaru said much of his extended family still lives in the bustling city of Hyderabad. More..... |
16 February Reliable
aid for a remote island communityAustralia’s Pacific Support Vessel, Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant, has delivered critical humanitarian assistance to Banaba island in Kiribati following a request from the Government of Kiribati. Banaba Island is one of Kiribati’s most remote outer islands and is vulnerable to drought. Operating 150 metres offshore using dynamic positioning, ADV Reliant conducted a complex maritime logistics operation over three days, transferring 400,000 litres of fresh drinking water into the island’s storage tanks and delivering 15 pallets of humanitarian stores. More..... |
15 February Exercise
Kakadu Fleet Review2026 marks 125 years since the foundation of Australia’s Navy. Throughout the year a number of activities will take place to mark this historic milestone. The Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review will see the largest gathering of international warships on Sydney Harbour for more than a decade with up to 30 ships from 20 countries assembling in a display of international sea power. The Fleet Review is one phase of Exercise Kakadu – a major maritime exercise with numerous countries hosted by the Royal Australian Navy every 2 years. To view date/time schedule for Fleet Review go to..... |
15 February UK
Carrier Strike Group to deploy to North AtlanticBritain will send its Carrier Strike Group back to sea in 2026 in a major show of force across the Euro-Atlantic and High North, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence at a time of rising Russian threats in the region. Known as ‘Operation Firecrest’ and led by HMS Prince of Wales – the largest warship in the Royal Navy – the UK will deploy the strike group across the North Atlantic and Arctic. It will include world-class Royal Navy warships and RAF fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets to bolster defence and security. More..... |
14 February Arctic
Sentry to enhance NATO’s presence in the Arctic and the High
NorthAllied Command Operations (ACO), responsible for planning and executing all NATO exercises, activities, and operations, launched Arctic Sentry on 11 February 2026. The multi-domain activity will further strengthen NATO’s posture in the Arctic and High North as persistent NATO presence in the region grows. More..... |
14 February Demonstrating
commitment and reducing risk: a British SSN heads to
AustraliaThe imminent visit to Perth of a British nuclear attack submarine (SSN) clearly demonstrates Britain’s commitment to AUKUS, going ahead despite the Royal Navy’s current challenges in deploying its SSNs. The visit is also a reminder of the benefits to all three members of the security partnership. While concerns have been raised about Britain’s capacity to carry its burden in the submarine program, the largest risks are closer to home. More..... |
13 February Largest
aircraft carrier in the world heads to Middle EastThe United States is deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East, with the nuclear-powered USS Gerald R. Ford set to join the USS Abraham Lincoln strike group already operating in the region, according to US media reports. The redeployment signals a significant expansion of American naval air power in the Middle East at a time when negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear activities have yet to produce a breakthrough. More..... |
13 February Training
cruise strengthens naval tiesRoyal Australian Navy officers Lieutenant Kane Kasemchainan and Sub-Lieutenant Yasmin Dench recently joined the South Korean Navy’s training ship ROKS Hansando for a month as part of its annual Cruise Training Task Group deployment. The cruise marked the culmination of training for the 80th class of midshipmen from the South Korean Naval Academy, celebrating graduation after four years of study. More..... |
13 February HMAS
Toowoomba transits South China SeaRoyal Australian Navy Anzac-class long-range frigate HMAS Toowoomba has safely transited the South China Sea in the vicinity of the Spratly Islands as part of her 2026 regional presence deployment. Commanding Officer Toowoomba Commander Alicia Harrison confirmed the routine transit took place from February 9 to February 10, saying that while foreign naval vessels were present during the transit, there was no confrontation and that all interactions with foreign warships throughout the passage were conducted in a safe and professional manner. More..... |
12 February Royal
Marines take on fiery mortar drills as part of Arctic
missionRoyal Marines lit up the Arctic sky with mortar fire as their intensive mission rehearsals in Northern Norway continue ahead of taking a leading role in NATO’s efforts in the region. The UK has deployed some 1,500 of its elite Commandos to the Arctic Circle as part of major NATO efforts on its northern flank aimed at the protection of the alliance’s Nordic nations. More..... |
12 February An
AUKUS visa could ease submarine skills shortagesAUKUS needs its own visa. The security partnership’s Pillar One needs a smooth path for workers to move between member countries to help fill skills shortages that are impeding the effort to build and operate nuclear submarines. Studies reveal that Australia has an estimated shortfall of 110,000 skilled trades workers. Major AUKUS projects, such as the $30 billion expansion of Perth’s Henderson shipyard, are competing for talent within the same constrained labour pool as large infrastructure and energy projects. More..... |
11 February CNO:
Trump-class battleships could be 'forcing function' for Navy
to beef up laser effortsThe Navy’s top officer is on board with advancing laser weapons — and believes the new Trump-class battleships will drive the service to equip other Navy ships with the weapons, too. While Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle said that he believed the Navy hasn’t “put the demand signal out there to go all in on solving some of the technological challenges on shipboard laser utilization,” he expects that to change under his watch. More..... |
11 February Chinese
flotilla sailed to edge of Australia's waters, ADF chief
reveals at Senate estimatesThe chief of the defence force has revealed that a Chinese flotilla being monitored in the Pacific late last year came right to the edge of Australia's exclusive economic zone — around 400 kilometres from the north-east Queensland coast — in an exercise designed to "signal" China's growing naval strength to the region. The news has drawn sharp criticism from the federal opposition, which has accused the government of secrecy and called on Labor to be more "honest" about Australia's strategic position. More..... |
11 February Undersea
drone that can ride on ships and subs and launch torpedoes
unveiledUS defense company Lockheed Martin has unveiled the Lamprey multi-mission autonomous undersea vehicle (MMAUV), a ‘plug-and-play’ submersible that can hitch a ride on ships or submarines. As informed, LampreyMMAUV can perform a wide range of missions, including delivering undersea and air kinetic and non-kinetic effects; performing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting, and multi-intelligence collection; and deploying equipment to the seafloor. More..... |
11 February A
long commitment to the regionIn 1991, a young sub-lieutenant in the Royal Australian Navy stepped off HMAS Westralia at the Port of Tanjung Priok, Indonesia, on the first visit of his first naval deployment to the South China Sea. Thirty-five years later, Vice Admiral Justin Jones returned to that very same place, coincidentally visiting a RAN ship deployed on that same mission. More..... |
10 February 'We
will miss you'; Tributes to D-Day veterans who championed
the sacrifices of their comradesA reminder that our links with the greatest generation and the ‘great crusade’ are increasingly fragile with the passing of two prominent Royal Navy D-Day veterans. Former gunner Stan Ford – who became one of the faces of Normandy commemorations in recent years – and junior officer John Roberts were at the heart of events marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day in 2024. Stan from Bath died at the weekend while John, who settled in north Kent, died shortly after Christmas. More..... |
09 February Jakarta
welcomes HMAS ToowoombaAfter days travelling the deep sapphires of the Indian Ocean, entry into Jakarta Bay at dawn was an awe-inspiring experience for the sailors on deck of HMAS Toowoomba. The crew departed Australia in late January on a regional presence deployment that will take them through operational tasks, engagements and exercises in the South China Sea and up to East Asia. More..... |
09 February $740m
veterans plan to fund social 'rehabilitation' and
psychedelic treatments for PTSDYoga, surf therapy, cooking lessons and short education courses will be available to veterans under a $739 million expansion of the support system for former service people. And new treatments, including MDMA and psilocybin for the worst cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), will also receive funding for the first time, as well as medicinal cannabis for chronic pain and other physical illnesses. More..... |
09 February Courage
in the chaosAs Able Seaman Jaydan Minovski was running down the street, pushing through a crowd fleeing in the opposite direction, he didn’t think about the danger. Ahead was the sound of sirens and screams. He didn’t yet know the scale of what happened at Bondi, only that it was something terrible. He started December 14 like any other Sunday. Golf in the morning, then to the beach for a swim with mates. More..... |
08 February $203
million crackdown on dodgy doctors and advocates targeting
veteransFraudsters taking advantage of the NDIS have spread to targeting veterans, harming former service people and driving up the cost of veterans' payments. The government has spent the past three years clearing a backlog of veteran compensation claims, but the half a billion dollars invested into the scheme has also made it a honey pot for bad actors. More..... |
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06 February Delivering the Future Defence Estate The Australian Government released Delivering the Future Estate: Defence Estate Audit Report on 4 February 2026, setting out a plan to deliver a more capability orientated, secure, modern and sustainable Defence estate. |
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OUR FEBRUARY HERO COASTWATCHERLCDR Paul Edward Allen MASON DSC(U.S.) DSC(U.K.) RANVR An Extraordinary Man Paul Edward Allen Mason was far from the stereotypical image of a military hero. Short, bespectacled, and often described as "unprepossessing," he was an Australian plantation manager who became one of the most critical intelligence assets in the South Pacific during World War II. When World War II broke out, the Australian Naval Intelligence Division activated the Coastwatchers—a network of planters, missionaries, and government officials tasked with staying behind enemy lines to report on Japanese movements. Mason, despite being "overage, undersized, and slightly deaf," refused evacuation when the Japanese invaded Bougainville in 1942. With this decision, Mason was to become one of the most legendary Coastwatchers of World War II. His legacy is etched into the history of the Pacific War—a man who proved that local knowledge, technical ingenuity, and quiet courage could alter the course of global conflict. Continue reading about this true legendary hero..... |
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04 February Defence
Department announces plans to sell off Leeuwin and Irwin
Barracks in PerthDozens of hectares of prime residential land in Perth's leafy western suburbs and along the Swan River will be sold off amid a shake up of the Australian Defence property portfolio. The federal government has announced plans to either fully or partially sell 67 defence sites across the nation in the hopes of freeing up around $1.8 billion for bases in Australia's north and the AUKUS submarine pact. More..... |
04 February Government
eyes off fire sale of historic defence properties around
AustraliaThe Albanese government has identified 67 defence sites for potential sale, aiming to unlock up to $1.8 billion as the Australian Defence Force moves to address critical capability gaps and redirect investment towards northern bases and infrastructure supporting the AUKUS program. High-profile properties including Victoria Barracks in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, Spectacle Island in NSW and HMAS Penguin in NSW, are among those earmarked for divestment, following a sweeping independent audit of the Defence estate. More..... |
04 February Delivering
the Future Defence EstateThe Albanese Government is undertaking the most significant reform to the Defence estate ever to ensure it is fit‑for‑purpose – providing the ADF with the facilities and capabilities it needs to keep Australians safe. Today, the Albanese Government has released a public version of the Defence Estate Audit and the Government’s response to it – agreeing or agreeing-in-principle to all 20 of the Audit’s recommendations. More..... |
04 February A
sailor's proud homecomingIt is marked as one of the darkest days in history, but for Able Seaman Lameul Setiono, the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami also revealed a bright side of humanity and ignited a desire for a lifetime of service. “I was just 10 years old when the tsunami occurred, and I was so surprised that Australia rushed to assist straight away and help without thinking,” Able Seaman Setiono said. More..... |
03 February Regional
presence deployments continue in 2026A pair of Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigates have departed Fleet Base West on the first regional presence deployments for 2026 and are sailing to conduct exercises and engagements in South Asia, South-East Asia and East Asia. HMAS Warramunga will participate in exercises and exchanges with Thailand and India, while HMAS Toowoomba will conduct bilateral and multilateral activities in the South China Sea and East Asia, including maritime cooperative activities hosted by the Philippine Navy. More..... |
03 February Navy
leader marks historic promotionCommander Rose Apikotoa became the first Australian of Tongan heritage to be promoted to the rank of captain at a ceremony held in Canberra on January 29. Having served most recently as the Commanding Officer of HMAS Moreton, she will soon start a new role in Canberra as Chief of Staff to the Head of Military Personnel in Defence People Group. Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Matthew Buckley presented Captain Apikotoa with her new rank slide, recounting her distinguished career and leadership roles. More..... |
03 February The
Veteran Performing Artist Showcase is the official launch of
FOVA26 SATURDAY 21 MARCH 7 - 9.30pm, at the Melbourne Recital Centre Across two acts, audiences will experience an extraordinary range of contemporary & classical music, spoken word, theatrical monologues, soundscape & experimental performance, all delivered by Veteran Performing Artists. Veteran Community pre-sale: 12pm, Tuesday 03 February Use code VETCOM at checkout General public tickets on sale: 12pm, Tuesday 10 February Website: https://www.fova.org.au/fova26/veteran-performing-artist-showcase |
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03 February *** IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT ***  We look forward to seeing you all at our next Open Day in 2027. |
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03 February Frenchman
hospitalized after inserting WWI munition up his rearThe anonymous Englishman who managed to lodge a 2-inch-wide World War II anti-tank shell inside his rectum back in 2021 has been unseated. The phrase “shell shocked” took on new meaning over the weekend when a 24-year-old Frenchman hobbled into Rangueil Hospital in Toulouse, France, complaining of unspecified pain. More..... |
03 February A
long life of remarkable serviceOn January 22 2026, a memorial service was held at the Garden Island Naval Chapel to honour the life of Rear Admiral (retd) Rothesay Swan. Rear Admiral Swan, who died aged 99, lived a life characterised by unwavering dedication and selfless commitment to his country. More..... |
01 February Finding
belonging in techWorking at the cutting edge of artificial intelligence (AI), Kiowa Scott-Hurley helps Defence tackle complex technical problems every day. As a person living with a disability and an Aboriginal woman working in tech, she is also an active role model who challenges traditional assumptions. More..... |
01 February HMS Victory encased in gigantic ‘tent’ as
restoration project goes undercoverVisitors to the world’s most famous historic warship will be able to see her innards as the £42m restoration of HMS Victory moves into its next stage. For the first time, Nelson’s flagship at Trafalgar will be entirely undercover – hidden behind scaffolding and tarpaulin which allows conservation experts to work on the 260-year-old vessel unimpeded by the elements. More..... |
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