This Month
- Opinion
- AUKUS
Control of the sea is worth gambling on AUKUS
To any objective observer it is apparent acquiring nuclear-powered submarines has significant advantages for national security. However, these come with major costs and risks.
- Richard Dunley
June
- Exclusive
- Defence
Crash hits army’s multimillion-dollar drone program
An army drone crashed soon after take-off in a test flight after losing communications with operators.
- Andrew Tillett
Warship deployed as China, Philippines clashes raise tensions
The navy has dispatched its most powerful warship to exercise with Asian navies, in a test for improved communications with China to avoid dangerous incidents at sea.
- Andrew Tillett
Australia criticises China for sea skirmish in sign tensions remain
Improved communications between the Australian and Chinese militaries will not reduce the likelihood of potentially dangerous confrontations, experts warn.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Defence
Silence is not golden when it comes to Defence
Defence’s culture of secrecy can sometimes cause more trouble than it’s worth. It became obvious again this week.
- Andrew Tillett
Low unemployment is hurting the military
Defence will only hit 57 per cent of its recruiting target this year, Australia’s outgoing military chief says.
- Andrew Tillett
Tomahawk missiles plan for Collins-class submarines misfires
Australia’s ageing submarine fleet won’t be fitted with strike missiles following advice that modifying the boats would not be value for money.
- Andrew Tillett
Labor scrambles to end confusion on foreign military recruits
The government has scrambled to clarify that foreigners eligible to join the Defence Force will be limited to just a few countries.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Defence
Defence rhetoric is mismatched with lack of action on investment
If nothing changes and war were to break out at any time in the next 10 years, our military would essentially fight with the force it has today.
- Justin Bassi
May
- Exclusive
- Defence
Questions surface over fast-tracked $10b warships
Shipbuilders have been given just three weeks to outline their opening pitch to build new frigates for the navy.
- Andrew Tillett
- Analysis
- Government Observed
The real reason for spending $1b on PsiQuantum
Defence planners have long worried how vulnerable military information systems are to GPS being taken out by an adversary.
- Tom Burton
Australia won’t raid Pacific militaries to plug defence gaps: Conroy
Plans to recruit Pacific Islanders to join the Australian Defence Force are focusing on attracting school leavers with the offer of learning a trade.
- Andrew Tillett
War crimes whistleblower jailed for nearly six years
David McBride, who leaked documents that revealed allegations Australian soldiers committed war crimes, will spend at least two years and three months behind bars.
- Michael Pelly
Australia’s defence chief rejects Chinese spying claims
In his first comments on dramatic helicopter near miss, General Angus Campbell said a Chinese pilot had acted unsafely and unprofessionally.
- Andrew Tillett
China wrong on defence flare stoush: Albanese
Beijing now says an Australian navy helicopter was spying on its military in the Yellow Sea.
- Andrew Tillett
Beijing blames ‘provocative move’ for helicopter flare incident
Stabilisation of ties between Canberra and Beijing suffered a setback after a Chinese fighter jet released flares near an Australian navy helicopter.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
April
Navy, RAAF face cuts to pay for $330b in new weapons
While the government touts its $330 billion new weapons blueprint, concerns are being raised about programs that have been scrapped.
- Andrew Tillett
- Opinion
- Defence
Defence strategy fills gaps but misses holes
We need to move towards a wider conversation around national security and mobilisation, and be clear on the vulnerability in our capabilities until the late 2030s.
- Jennifer Parker
Defence’s $330b plan still leaves decade of danger
Defence Minister Richard Marles says Australia faces a “precarious” decade, by the end of which defence spending will be about $100 billion a year.
- Andrew Tillett
First Japan, now Canada wants in on AUKUS
China says AUKUS plans to broaden participation in its military technology sharing agreement is “stoking bloc confrontation”.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett and Matthew Cranston