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Latest News for our Navy Network Download the JANUARY edition of our newsletter BROADSIDE |
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BROADSIDE - JANUARY 2026 Edition NOTE: To read Broadside in Flipbook form, click on the "Full Screen" arrows. |
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29 January Trump threatens major attack on Iran as large US naval fleet deployed US President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with a ‘far worse’ attack than the US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025. Washington is warning Tehran that time is running out to reach a deal on its nuclear program. |
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29 January Coast
Guard rescues cruise ship stuck in Antarctic iceThe U.S. Coast Guard dispatched its most powerful ship and heaviest icebreaker to help set free an Australian-owned cruise ship that was wedged in ice in Antarctica on Jan. 17. The Polar Star, which boasts up to 75,000 horsepower, sliced through thick sheets of ice to wrestle free the Scenic Eclipse II from its immovable position, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a release Friday. More..... |
29 January Expressions
of interest open for Invictus Games 2027A message from Invictus Australia Invictus Australia is pleased to announce that Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are now open for the 2027 Adaptive Sports Program. This intake will prepare participants for the Invictus Games Birmingham 2027, taking place from 10 to 17 July 2027. More..... |
28 January New
mine-hunting system linking surface vessels and underwater
robots unveiled in NorwayNorwegian companies Eelume and Maritime Robotics have unveiled a new mine-hunting system that brings together unmanned surface vessels (USVs) and autonomous underwater robots, aiming to improve the safety and effectiveness of mine countermeasures at sea. More..... |
28 January Making
it easier to apply for compensation from 1 JulyFrom 1 July 2026, the current three-Act system will be simplified, so that all new compensation and rehabilitation claims lodged from this date will be determined under a single ongoing Act, an improved version of the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 (MRCA). For the most part, there won’t be too many changes for veterans with service commencing after 2004. Importantly, there will be no change to any payments already being received. More..... |
28 January Community
grants to honour veteransAustralia’s veterans come from all over the country, from towns large and small, it’s only right that the stories of their service are commemorated at home in their communities. Today the Government can announce 72 community organisations across the nation will receive a share in more than $1.3 million funding through the latest round of the 2025–26 Saluting their Service (STS) Commemorative Grants Program. More..... |
28 January Aurora
at night, a sailor’s delightHMAS Warramunga recently cut through the Bass Strait beneath a sky illuminated by the Aurora Australis. It was a rare sight for Royal Australian Navy sailors, and displays of this scale are even more uncommon. The light show was caused by a major solar storm, the most intense event of its kind in more than 20 years. More..... |
28 January Petty
officer honoured for commitment to fitnessThrough a consistent program of conditioning, sporting events and expeditions, Petty Officer Kerryn Seaborn ensured Navy personnel remained physically and mentally prepared during her posting at HMAS Cairns. One major highlight was completing the Kokoda Track alongside Cairns personnel. More..... |
27 January Defence
proud to support Australia Day activitiesAfter 82 Defence personnel received their Australia Day honours and awards, Chief of the Defence Force Admiral David Johnston said Defence was proud to support activities across the country. “Our sailors, soldiers and aviators are proud to stand with their communities across the nation on Australia Day,” Admiral Johnston said. More..... |
27 January Russian
Surveillance Ship Departs Japan’s Southwest Region, Chinese
Surveillance Ship Passes ThroughRussian surveillance ship Kareliya (535) seemingly concluded a two-week surveillance mission around Japan’s southwest region Monday, its time in the area overlapping with a Chinese surveillance ship, officials from the island country said. More..... |
26 January Australia
Day honour for sailor’s Pacific workWhen ADV Reliant received a mayday call to rescue four German sailors from a yacht 100 nautical miles south of Fiji, Petty Officer Jack Bellingham sprang into action. The yacht had lost its engine and rudder in heavy storms, leaving the crew helpless without any means of propulsion. More..... |
26 January Defence
personnel recognised on Australia DayFrom flood rescues to undersea warfare capability development, cyber operations and coalition deployments, 82 Defence personnel have been recognised in the 2026 Australia Day honours list for their contributions across the land, maritime, air and cyber domains. Representing ranks from signaller to rear admiral, the recipients include personnel who have shaped emerging capabilities, led teams on operations at home and overseas. More..... |
26 January Abraham
Lincoln Carrier Strike Group Now in U.S. Central CommandThe Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is now in the Middle East, having been redirected from its Indo-Pacific deployment to the region in recent weeks as tensions with Iran increase, USNI News has learned. Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) had chopped into the U.S. 5th Fleet as of Monday, a defense official confirmed. More..... |
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January 2026
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24 January Nuclear
Test Medal - Eligibility CriteriaThe Nuclear Test Medal is a commemorative medal to recognise the United Kingdom’s Nuclear Test Programme during the period 1952 and 1967 and those personnel who took part in subsequent operations to monitor atmospheric nuclear tests conducted by other nations (France and China). The Medal is awarded to UK Service and civilian personnel, and individuals from other nations, who served at the locations where the UK atmospheric nuclear tests were conducted, including the preparatory and clear-up phases, between 1952 and 1967 inclusive. More..... |
23 January Japan
Responds to Russian Surveillance, Bomber AircraftJapan scrambled fighter jets to respond to Russian bombers, fighters and a surveillance plane at least four times this week after the Russian aircraft entered Japan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, officials said. Two Russian Tu-95 bombers and two fighter aircraft flew in on Wednesday from the Russian continent, traveling eastward over the Sea of Japan, Japan’s Joint Staff Office said. More..... |
23 January Royal
Navy intercepts Russian ships in the English ChannelRoyal Navy warships and aircraft were activated to shadow Russian vessels in the English Channel during a two-day operation in coordination with NATO allies. Portsmouth-based patrol ships HMS Mersey and HMS Severn were dispatched alongside a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron to intercept Russian corvette Boikiy and accompanying oil tanker MT General Skobelev as they sailed towards the North Sea. More..... |
23 January Legal
piracy on the high seas: Can shadow fleet ship captures be
replicated in the Indo-Pacific?Recent US military and law enforcement actions to capture “shadow fleet shipping” in Venezuela may have inadvertently opened the door for Australia to intercept similar vessels in the Indo-Pacific region. These older “shadow fleet” oil tankers, under concealed webs of ownership, are often used to smuggle restricted goods, resources and oil to sanctioned counties such as Russia, North Korea, China and Iran. More..... |
23 January Cyber challenge is serious businessDon’t let their party shirts and relaxed demeanour fool you – for Defence cybersecurity experts, the ADF Cyber Skills Challenge is serious business. Held from December 1 to 5, more than 200 people from Defence, government and industry took over Canberra’s QT Hotel ballroom for the ADF Cyber Skills Association’s annual cybersecurity conference and ‘capture the flag’ (CTF) competition. More..... |
22 January Austal
launches Australia’s final Guardian-class patrol boatShipbuilder Austal has launched Hull 544, the final Guardian-class Patrol Boat contracted for construction under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) for Australia. The launch marks a significant milestone in the 24-vessel program that began in May 2017 with the plate cutting on the first Guardian, HMPNGS Ted Diro, and has seen 22 vessels delivered to date, to support maritime security across the Pacific. More..... |
21 January HAPPY
BIRTHDAYThe Navy Victoria Network team would like to join RADM Buckley and the Royal Australian Navy in congratulating LWRSA Merle HARE nee Storrie, WR/940, on her 106th birthday. Merle was born in Elsternwick, Victoria on 20th January 1920 and joined the Navy in 1943. Happy Birthday Merle, you are a true legend. Read more about Merle's life..... |
21 January Navy
and Army take on Sydney to Hobart raceAfter five days and four nights of demanding conditions in the 2025 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, just six minutes separated the yachts representing the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Australian Army. The RAN’s Navy One crossed the finish line in Hobart in the early hours of December 31, narrowly ahead of the Army’s Rising Sun – the Army’s new Beneteau First 40, introduced in 2025 to replace the long-serving Gun Runner. More..... |
21 January What
dependence on China brings: Britain approves an enormous
London embassyIn approving construction of an enormous Chinese embassy in London, Britain is trading long-term security resilience for short-term economic advantage. For Australia, the 20 January decision should raise concerns about strategic signalling, alliance coherence and the risks of greater economic dependence on China—at a time when all AUKUS partners are attempting to strengthen the pact against that country, the United States’ peer competitor. More..... |
20 January UK
commits to submarine rotation in Australia with Astute Class
submarine HMS AnsonThe United Kingdom has committed to sending rotational forces to Australia, with the Royal Navy’s Astute Class submarine HMS Anson reportedly expected to arrive at Submarine Rotational Force – West in Western Australia later this year. Royal Navy nuclear-powered submarine HMS Anson, the fifth of the new Astute Class submarines, arrived in Gibraltar earlier this month, with media site Navy Lookout reporting that it will later be deployed to Australia. More..... |
20 January SUBCO
announces submarine cable project from Australia to USASecure undersea network systems provider SUBCO has announced the latest submarine cable project to connect Australia and the United States with a new express hypercable. The APX East submarine cable project is planned to be ready for service in the fourth quarter of 2028, according to a statement from the company. A Hawaii branch is planned to follow in the fourth quarter of 2029. More..... |
19 January Wargamers
explore tech of tomorrowDefence has staged the first Innovation and Asymmetry Wargame to explore how emerging technologies might shape future military operations. Led by Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), the hybrid wargaming activity brought together more than 200 attendees at DSTG Edinburgh in South Australia. More..... |
17 January China
calls Trump battleship ‘easier target’ amid mixed US
receptionU.S. President Donald Trump calls the vessel a new class of “battleship” graced by his own name, but China just calls the U.S. Navy’s latest concept a larger and “easier target” for its growing array of anti-ship drones and missiles. A day after Trump’s Dec. 22 announcement at Mar-a-Lago that he had ordered the construction of a “Trump class” of possibly 20 to 25 battleships, China’s Global Times, a state media outlet, carried an interview with naval researcher Zhang Junshe stating that the type of warship envisioned by Trump would be a ripe target for China’s anti-ship weapons, including the so-called “carrier killer” DF-21D ballistic missile. More.... |
15 January SAVE
THE DATE – July 4, 2026To mark America’s semiquincentennial, the Port of New York and New Jersey is readying the largest international maritime spectacle in U.S. history. It will feature 60 international tall ships from more than 20 nations, 40+ allied and U.S. naval vessels, a British aircraft carrier, Cunard's Queen Mary 2, and over 100 aircraft led by the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels. This seven-day celebration is expected to surpass all previous Operation Sail historical events (1964, 1976, 1986, 1992, 2000, 2012) in scale and scope. More..... |
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15 January Exercise ALON 25 Exercise ALON 25 is a bilateral training activity planned and led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Australian Defence Force. Conducted from 15 to 29 August, it is the largest overseas military exercise for Australia in 2025. |
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15 January HMS
Tamar drops in on Brisbane as Pacific patrols resumeRoyal Navy patrol ship HMS Tamar sailed into Australia’s third city on the latest leg of her Indo-Pacific mission. The River-class ship made the 850-mile journey from the northern port city of Cairns, which serves as the Tamar’s ‘home from home’ when operating in the Coral Sea and environs – down the eastern seaboard for a combination of flag-flying, logistical support and also a chance to thank Australians for their support. More..... |
15 January Mariners
first: rebuilding Australia’s navy for war at seaThe Royal Australian Navy’s greatest challenge isn’t introducing nuclear submarines and considerably expanding the surface fleet, as daunting as those objectives are. Rather, it is transitioning from a peacetime force to one with a maritime warfighting culture capable of employing these vessels effectively. That shift must be anchored in a unifying principle: warfighting mariners first. The principle should unify all naval members around a shared warfighting mariner identity, regardless of role. More..... |
14 January Bookshelf:
China may not be a superpowerChina would not be the superpower it seems, renowned historian Frank Dikotter argues in his book, China After Mao: The Rise of a Superpower. The seemingly almighty Chinese Communist Party was virtually destroyed by chairman Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution (1966–1976). Following Mao’s passing in 1976, a major task of Chinese leaders was rehabilitating the party—a challenge for a regime attempting to control the gigantic territory, with its diverse peoples, of the former Qing Empire. More..... |
13 January SECNAV:
Shipbuilders Need to Hire 250,000 Workers Over the Next
Decade for ‘Golden Fleet’To build the Navy’s planned Golden Fleet, U.S. naval shipbuilders must hire a quarter million shipbuilders over the next decade, Secretary of the Navy John Phelan said Tuesday. Developing that workforce is key to the service’s plan to expand shipbuilding in parallel with new manufacturing techniques, Phelan said at the Surface Navy Association’s national symposium, as he emphasized the need for more vocational education and fair wages. More..... |
12 January Coast
Guard Icebreaker Polar Star in McMurdo Sound in AntarcticaThe U.S. Coast Guard’s only heavy icebreaker Polar Star (WAGB-10) is in the McMurdo Sound, as it nears the National Science Foundation’s research facility in Antarctica. Polar Star made it to the McMurdo Sound, having left more than 50 days ago from Seattle, Wash. Polar Star is cutting through the 23-mile channel, carving a path through ice that can be up to 10 feet thick to allow a convoy of ships to resupply McMurdo Station through the next year. More..... |
12 January Women
are integral to closing Australia’s Defence workforce gapAustralia’s next National Defence Strategy (NDS) risks overlooking a crucial vulnerability that’s hiding in plain sight: our people, and particularly women. The 2024 strategy identified improving workforce growth and retention as one of six immediate priorities, yet as policymakers draft the 2026 NDS, we’re still missing an obvious solution. More..... |
OUR JANUARY HERO CAPT
Gerhard Heinrich HEYEN MBE LCDR MiD RD, U.S. Legion of Merit(O) RANR(S) In addition to Heyen’s outstanding career as a merchant mariner that culminated with his appointment in 1955 as the Marine Superintendent for the Australian National Line’s coastal shipping operations in Australia, his exploits as a RANR Seaman Officer during the Pacific campaign of the Second World War are equally astounding. Click on the link below to learn why he was “Mentioned in Dispatches” for meritorious action in the face of the enemy; why the USN’s Fifth Amphibious Force, Admiral R.K. “Terrible” Turner, prevailed upon the RAN for him to be integrated into the US amphibious command structure; why and in what capacity he was involved in a staggering number of amphibious landings in the treacherous waters of the Western Pacific; and why the US Government recognised Heyen’s extraordinary courage and contribution with the award of the Legion of Merit (Officer). Readers will also be fascinated to learn of Heyen’s pivotal role in the campaign to save and restore the derelict hulk of the iron barque Polly Woodside. Continue reading about this fascinating unsung Navy Hero….. |
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09 January Chinese,
Russian, Iranian Warships Gather Near South Africa for
Multilateral DrillWarships from China, Russia and Iran amassed in the waters off South Africa to kick off a weeklong drill alongside the South African National Defense Force. Dubbed “Will For Peace 2026,” the naval exercise brings together countries from BRICS Plus, an intergovernmental group of developing countries. This year’s exercise will be led by China and hosted by Simon’s Town Naval Base, South Africa, according to the South African Defense Department. More..... |
08 January Babcock
trials composite repairs to speed up maintenance on
Australian and New Zealand warshipsBabcock Australasia has successfully trialled an advanced composite repair technology that could significantly reduce maintenance times and improve fleet availability across the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy. The trials, conducted on three naval vessels, demonstrated how fibre-reinforced polymer composites can be used as a permanent alternative to steel for in-water repairs. More..... |
08 January Trump
proposes massive increase in 2027 defense spending to $1.5TPresident Donald Trump on Wednesday proposed setting U.S. military spending at $1.5 trillion in 2027, citing “troubled and dangerous times.” Trump called for the massive surge in spending days after he ordered a U.S. military operation to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and spirit him out of the country to face drug trafficking charges in the United States. U.S. forces continue to mass in the Caribbean Sea. More..... |
07 January Chinese
Merchant Ship Sports Electromagnetic Drone Launcher,
Vertical Launching SystemsA Chinese civilian ship was equipped with several armed and aircraft-launching configurations over the last few weeks, highlighting Beijing’s ability to equip its civilian containership fleet for wartime roles. In recent weeks, a Chinese merchant vessel was seen at Shanghai’s Hudong-Zhudong shipyard receiving numerous containerized armaments, including close-in weapon systems, vertical launching systems and radars. More..... |
07 January Coast
Guard Seizes Russian-flagged Tanker in North Atlantic,
Second Tanker in CaribbeanA U.S. Coast Guard team and additional federal law enforcement, with support from the U.S. military, seized a Russian-flagged oiler tanker that the U.S. says violated American sanctions, a U.S. official confirmed Wednesday to USNI News, coinciding with the seizure of a second tanker in the Caribbean. More..... |
07 January ‘BEWARE’:
Trump order demands some defense firms halt paying
dividends, buying back stockPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order today that prohibits defense companies from making share repurchases and paying dividends to shareholders, as well as places restrictions on executive compensation, unless companies make investments to modernize weapons production facilities. More..... |
05 January ADV
Reliant departs Townsville on first deployment of 2026Australia’s Pacific Support Vessel, Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, has begun its first deployment of 2026 departing Townsville as it sets out to visit Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, Fiji and the Solomon Islands in the next three months. The vessel is engaged in responding to Pacific partners’ requests and supporting maritime weather surveillance during the high-risk weather season. More..... |
02 January China
Deploys Bombers Armed with Anti-ship Missiles to Scarborough
ShoalBeijing deployed several warships, cutters and a bomber combat patrol escorted by fighters to Scarborough Shoal in a show of force against Philippine and American forces at the disputed South China Sea maritime feature. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command announced Wednesday that its forces had conducted combat readiness patrols around Scarborough Shoal throughout December. More..... |
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01 January ADF | Photos Of The Year Nearly 20,000 images have been published on the media gallery in 2025, telling Defence’s stories through the lenses of the many photographers who were on the spot to capture the moments, big and small. A number of those photographers, including imagery specialists and military reporters, nominated their favourite photo for a compilation of the year’s top shots. Some chose their best technical effort, while, for others, the story behind the photo drove their choice. |
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01 January HMAS Warramunga strengthens cultural bondsThree members of HMAS Warramunga recently visited Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, reaffirming the ship’s deep cultural and historical connection with the Warumungu people. Tennant Creek is the ceremonial home of the warship and has proudly maintained its relationship with Navy since the vessel was first named after the Warumungu people and commissioned in 1942. More..... |
01 JanuaryDental
changes leave Veterans smiling The Australian Government is enhancing dental care for veterans by providing easier access to more dental providers and increasing the money veterans can access for costly dental work up front. Following feedback from veterans and the dental sector, from 1 January 2026, funding for Schedule C items under the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Dental Program will double by switching from an annual to a biennial monetary limit. Schedule C includes high-cost treatments such as crowns, bridges and veneers. More..... |
01 January Japan’s
Security Faces ‘Unprecedented Challenges,’ Say Defense
LeadersJapan is facing its most complex security environment in generations, pointing to Russia, China, North Korea and uncertainty in the Middle East as the key factors, defense leaders said on Thursday. They said Japan’s military will improve its capabilities and bolster cooperation with like-minded partners and allies, along with further strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance to meet Japan’s security challenges. More..... |
01 January Morse
code lovers and navy trainers help skill live on in a world
of digital technologyIt may be an antiquated form of communication, but many Australians from all walks of life are helping to keep Morse code alive. Leo Nette calls himself a proud "Morsecodian" and has been a long-time volunteer at Beechworth Telegraph Station. More..... |
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For all news articles prior to 01 December 2025 go to our News Archive page |
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