Call to boost US marines’ presence in Top End
A major expansion of US Marine Corps deployments to Australia to 16,000 a year would deliver the cheapest possible boost to Australia’s ability to deter potential adversaries, a new report says.
Defence
‘Confront enemies abroad … and home’
Former treasurer Josh Frydenberg will be awarded the Monash Medal, as he calls for authoritarianism abroad and anti-democratic forces at home to be confronted head-on.
Fast track for underwater Defence drone
Newly promoted cabinet minister Pat Conroy says he will use the authority that comes with the role to accelerate the delivery of new weapons and equipment for the nation’s ‘warfighters’.
ADF ‘is now a strategic liability’ to our US allies
Former chief of army Peter Leahy has warned Australia has become a ‘strategic liability’ to the US, arguing the ADF is unprepared for war.
‘Watching for boats hurts ADF capability’
The Albanese government has been accused of undermining the Australian Defence Force’s warfighting capabilities by using sophisticated RAAF aircraft to hunt for people-smuggling boats.
Base upgrades ‘will help protect’ US B-52 bombers
The US’s top air force commander in the Pacific says upgrades to Australia’s Tindal air base to accommodate B-52 bombers will give American forces the flexibility they need in a future conflict.
AUKUS cost ‘a fraction of NDIS’: new report
The AUKUS partnership will deliver a powerful new level of deterrence against Australia’s potential adversaries at a fraction of the cost of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, a new report argues.
Fears of armed conflict with China double in a decade
Most Australians expect we’ll face war with China within 20 years. But will Uncle Sam race to our rescue?
No weapons: Ghost Bats shifted to spy missions
The Albanese government has shelved plans to develop the $800m-plus Ghost Bat drone as lethal weapon after the company designing the aircraft was struck out of a US government program.
Defence nuclear waste site slammed
Defence’s decision to build a storage facility for low-level radioactive waste at HMAS Stirling naval base has been questioned by a former defence minister.
MP takes on ‘armchair generals’
Liberal MP and Afghanistan veteran Phillip Thompson has accused Defence of lagging behind the major sporting codes in protecting personnel from serious brain injuries.
Compo plan for Afghan killings
Entire villages in Afghanistan could benefit from a scheme to compensate victims of unlawful killings and abuse by Australian special forces while on deployment.
Chiefs to blame for lack of action on brain injury
Defence’s failure to come to terms with the risks to soldiers from blast-induced brain injuries makes a mockery of its claim to always put its people first.
Diggers’ support for shell-shock cut
The Defence Department axed support for a project to monitor soldiers’ exposure to blast pressure waves that have been linked to brain damage and suicide, as the bureaucracy turned a blind eye to the problem.
Defence ‘ignored toll of exposure to explosions’
Defence and Veterans’ Affairs ignored mounting evidence of chronic brain injuries in soldiers caused by repeated exposure to blast pressure waves.
Injured soldier ‘shines light’ on brain injuries
Former commando Paul Dunbavin, who has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, was exposed to thousands of explosive blasts during his 36-year military career.
Missing soldiers found from WWI bloodbath
Seven Australian soldiers lost to one of Australia’s greatest military disasters for more than a century have been newly identified, with some families travelling to France to commemorate their deceased ancestors.
Britain sends its jets, soldiers Down Under
Britain has sent fighter jets and a record contingent of marine commandos to participate in Australian-hosted military exercises this month, underscoring the country’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific.
Plan needed to keep farming through tough times
Australia exports about 70 per cent of the food produced here but the industry says that doesn’t guarantee our food security.
New drones for ADF under $10bn ‘unmanned plan’
The Australian Defence Force will get $140m worth of new surveillance and reconnaissance drones as the Albanese government accelerates Defence’s adoption of unmanned systems.
Coalition demands answers on ADF vetting after ‘spy’ used in recruiting push
The Coalition has urged Anthony Albanese to ask ‘serious questions’ of the ADF vetting processes, after it emerged an alleged Russian spy was promoted as a case study for recruitment.
Deadly serious game for those on the dark side of espionage
There is nothing remotely idealistic about Putin’s regime or its intelligence services. The regime is a kleptocracy and its secret services a mafia.
‘Back off’: PM to Kremlin after shock spy cell charges
Anthony Albanese sends message after Brisbane couple arrested, accused of accessing classified ADF files with the intention of providing it to Russian authorities.
Top of the AUKUS class: Aussie nuclear submariner beats the Brits, and the men
Sydney woman Lieutenant Isabella is dux of the Royal Navy’s nuclear submarine training in the first AUKUS secondments to Britain.
$250m to boost Ukraine defence
Australia will send an extra $250m in military assistance to Ukraine, including air defence missiles and antitank weapons, as part of fresh NATO efforts.
Lest we forget our Middle-East heroes
For proud 14-year-old Ziggy Till, Sydney’s first commemoration of Australia’s Middle East veterans on Thursday was a chance to pay tribute to the father he never knew – Sergeant Brett Till, killed in Afghanistan in 2009.
Marles on mission to assure US
Richard Marles has undertaken a blitz of meetings with Trump-backed Republicans on Capitol Hill as the Albanese government moves to sandbag the AUKUS defence pact.
Support for Ukraine in principle and printers
Richard Marles will pledge fresh military support for Ukraine at this week’s NATO summit in Washington in a package that’s expected to include Australian-made 3D printers.
New fight for ‘Mint swindle’ brother
Ray Mickelberg – one of the brothers famously ‘stitched up’ by WA police over the Perth Mint swindle of the 1980s – is now in a fight with federal authorities over compensation payments linked back to his military service.
Military ‘exposed to missile threats’
Two of the nation’s most respected military commanders have warned Australian personnel and key bases will be vulnerable to missile attack for at least another decade.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/page/12