Minister for Defence

34 articles · 25 recent · 2 source types

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UK to Lead 3 AUKUS Undersea Sensor Payloads
Government Briefs · Oct 27, 2026

The UK said it will lead 3 AUKUS undersea sensor payloads for uncrewed underwater vehicles after trials in San Diego.

White UN-branded truck parked at a humanitarian aid distribution site with sacks and boxes
Government Briefs · Oct 26, 2026
UK sanctions Sudan commanders over El Fasher

The UK sanctioned Sudanese commanders over atrocities in El Fasher and pledged £15 million for survivors and humanitarian relief.

Australian flag rippling on a flagpole above Canberra with Parliament House visible in the distance
Government Briefs · Oct 20, 2026
Australia opens PNG ADF intake, joins Keen Sword

Australia opened ADF recruitment to eligible Papua New Guineans and deployed nearly 300 personnel to Japan for Exercise Keen Sword.

Naval Battleship Parade In Open Seas
Government Briefs · Oct 19, 2026
Australia, Denmark advance naval capabilities

Australia advanced uncrewed undersea payload work as Denmark ordered more Naval Strike Missiles, linking naval capability growth to Allied deterrence.

Illustrative image of EU diplomats gathered around a formal conference table
Government Briefs · Oct 12, 2026
EU and Allies Advance Resilience, Aid and Science Plans

Official announcements showed EU social dialogue review, French and UK security diplomacy, German drills, Dutch quantum funding, US science investment and Australian Pacific steps.

Australian flag rippling on a flagpole above Canberra with Parliament House visible in the distance
Government Briefs · Oct 11, 2026
Australia marks 25 years since Afghanistan deployment

Australia commemorated 25 years since Operation Slipper began, honouring more than 35,000 ADF members who served in Afghanistan.

Australian flag rippling on a flagpole above Canberra with Parliament House visible in the distance
Government Briefs · Oct 7, 2026
Australia expands Army HIMARS strike fleet

Australia expanded its HIMARS fleet as part of a longrange strike and guided weapons investment plan worth up to $37 billion.

Western Allies Flags
Government Briefs · Oct 5, 2026
EU and Allies Move on Energy, Defence Readiness

Official announcements showed new energy compliance action, defence modernisation, NATO support, and maritime posture steps across 7 country clusters.

Grey Royal Navy frigate berthed in a UK dockyard under the White Ensign, dockside cranes overhead
Government Briefs · Sep 29, 2026
Australia to base patrol vessels at HMAS Cairns

Australia will homeport at least two Arafura Class patrol vessels in Cairns, backed by a A$250 million base expansion.

Ukraine Armed Forces Uniform
Government Briefs · Sep 24, 2026
Allies tighten Russia pressure and aid Ukraine

France, Australia, the UK and Denmark announced measures linking Ukraine support, sanctions and warnings over Russian hybrid threats.

Summit table with EU, US, French, UK, German, Canadian and Ukrainian flags as staff set up
Government Briefs · Sep 23, 2026
Norway and Canada Expand Defence Procurement Ties

Norway and Canada signed a procurement cooperation letter aimed at NATO capability links and possible support for Ukraine.

Australian flag rippling on a flagpole above Canberra with Parliament House visible in the distance
Government Briefs · Sep 22, 2026
Australia advances Triton, Peregrine ISR fleets

Australia said Triton and Peregrine reached initial operational status and confirmed completion of its 14aircraft Poseidon fleet.

Summit table with EU, US, French, UK, German, Canadian and Ukrainian flags as staff set up
Government Briefs · Sep 17, 2026
NATO sets resilience baseline amid readiness moves

NATO issued resilience requirements as Australia secured a defencelinked airport lease, Germany highlighted maritime drone trials, and Europe expanded Ukraine support.

Summit table with EU, US, French, UK, German, Canadian and Ukrainian flags as staff set up
Government Briefs · Sep 14, 2026
Allies Advance Defence and Energy Deals

Seven governments and EU institutions advanced defence procurement, energy cooperation, sanctions, and resilience measures during week 37.

Patriot missile launcher with raised canisters beside a radar unit in an open field
Government Briefs · Sep 9, 2026
Australia funds air and missile defence upgrade

Australia announced a $2.4 billion air and missile defence investment and confirmed NASAMS had reached final operational capability.

Australian flag rippling on a flagpole above Canberra with Parliament House visible in the distance
Government Briefs · Sep 5, 2026
Australia Names Military Sexual Violence Inquiry Lead

Australia appointed Natasha Stott Despoja AC to lead a Defence inquiry into military sexual violence, with a public report expected after about 12 months.

The Swedish flag flying from a mast over Stockholm's water on a bright, cloudy day
Government Briefs · Aug 28, 2026
Sweden Backs Finland Surveillance With Gripens

Finland and Sweden deepened territorial surveillance cooperation, adding Swedish Gripen fighters and Visbyclass corvettes to support Finnish monitoring.

Grey Royal Navy frigate berthed in a UK dockyard under the White Ensign, dockside cranes overhead
Government Briefs · Aug 24, 2026
Australia selects Henderson defence precinct site

Australia chose the Henderson Defence Precinct site to support naval shipbuilding, AUKUS submarine work and skilled defence jobs in Western Australia.

Australian flag rippling on a flagpole above Canberra with Parliament House visible in the distance
Government Briefs · Aug 18, 2026
Australia and Japan trial laser system

Australia completed field trials of Project Boobook, a codeveloped highenergy laser system with Japan, with manufacturing investment planned.

Senior UK military officers and officials study a large map around a table beside a Union Jack
Government Briefs · Aug 17, 2026
Defence Pacts and Crisis Aid Lead Week 33 Brief

Official announcements showed defence cooperation, wildfire deployments, earthquake aid and EU policy scrutiny across seven country clusters.

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