F-35As to come late but with upgrades
The US manufacturer of the F-35A stealth fighters – Lockheed Martin – has halted deliveries of the aircraft to the RAAF until new software to support fleet upgrades can be certified.
May 2022
Defence budget gloom sinks in
Defence’s spending plans far outstrip its income. Champagne taste on a beer budget – pick your metaphor – the bottom line is Defence can’t afford everything it wants.
Finding our way around pivotal new technologies
Defence needs experienced partners who understand the full gamut of positional, navigation and timing technology and who can deliver turnkey solutions that are battlefield proven.
Crystal clear – hemispherical resonator gyroscope is a navigation game changer
SAFRAN has developed what it believes is a game changer. The hemispherical resonator crystal gyroscope has no moving parts so is maintenance-free.
Are the Australian forces prepared for drone warfare?
Australia has many companies with strong capabilities that address effective counter-drone solutions.
ADF backs Triton for the north as US slashes its plans for plane
Australia has ordered a fourth Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned maritime surveillance aircraft, despite the US Navy recently slashing its own acquisition program.
P-8A upgrade boosts undersea capability
Australia has 12 Boeing P-8A Poseidon manned maritime surveillance and response aircraft, and with a further two on order, has influenced the design of the upgrades.
Hunt down real ‘trouble’ in world-class frigate build
The Hunter-class frigate has been designed to accommodate emerging technologies, or enhance the warfighting effectiveness should there be a greater threat to our strategic environment.
Hercules fleet grows and renews
The RAAF is set to receive 20 new C-130J-30 Hercules towards the end of the decade, almost doubling its medium airlift fleet.
Retirement of Taipans is badly timed
After a fatal accident during Exercise Talisman Sabre in July, Australia’s fleet of Taipan Multi-Role helicopters (MRH) has been retired early, leaving us with a capability gap. However, other countries continue to fly theirs.
Support for Ukraine must be continued
Australia cannot be an indifferent bystander when Russia assaults the system of international security of which it is both an architect and guarantor.
Bushmaster an option for maritime strike capability
One of the next major defence acquisition programs to be accelerated under the recent DSR is a land-based maritime strike capability for the ADF.
Export opportunities for Redback as UK, Romania express interest
The selection of the tracked Hanwha Redback for LAND 400 Phase 3 has placed the company – and particularly its Australian subsidiary – in a strong position for follow-up orders.
Local guided weapons production gaining speed
Despite a slow start, a plan to accelerate self-reliance for things such as guided missiles, bombs, rockets and rounds of various calibres is picking up the pace.
We’re oceans apart on nuclear-powered subs
Listening to the Australian government and the local media, one would be entitled to think that it’s now a simple question of when will we receive nuclear-powered submarines, not if.
Mindset change as space and cyber gear up
Historically, warfighting is carried out across the traditional domains of land, sea and air, but thinking has since evolved to include two further domains – space and cyber.
Australia’s eye-in-the-sky tech takes a giant leap backwards
The space sector for military planners is growing internationally at a rapid rate, but Australia has just made a giant leap backwards.
Surveillance leadership remains on the radar
JORN – the Jindalee Operational Radar Network – one of the jewels in Australia’s technological crown, is now undergoing a $1.2bn technology upgrade.
Local firm develops world-first cyber check
An Australian company has developed the world’s first tool for analysing ‘cyber worthiness’ so planners can invest in protection where it is most needed.
Queensland is evolving into an AUKUS force
Pillar 2 of AUKUS identifies six ‘advanced capabilities’ which will be the focus of joint R&D and acquisition, and domains where Queensland has established leadership.
AUKUS drives strategic vision
The authors of the DSR have bravely undertaken the task of creating within 18 months not just a new strategy but a new framework for creating strategic policy.
A ready reserve of nation’s civilian fleet makes sense for the RAN
Recent revelations that China has launched multiple new civilian ferries that could be used as amphibious assault ships against Taiwan have caused consternation among some strategic analysts.
Building sustainable regional resilience
The security of Pacific nations is at risk in this new age of regional instability.
DSR: A case of ‘so much for so little’?
For a document that self-advertises as ‘the most substantial and ambitious approach to Defence … since the second World War’, the Defence Strategic Review is neither.
Defence communications satellite project gets a headstart
Rather than shortlisting two companies for a further round of studies in the acquisition of a communications satellite network, the Defence Department announced the winner was Lockheed Martin.
Engaging with media will clear air on ‘conventional wisdom’ thinking
Defence must defend, justify and explain the capabilities it says it needs, not leaving the conventional wisdom to stand as the truth.
Missiles need a sensor platform to engage targets with accuracy
The DSR has provided a broad outline of the ADF’s force structure but there are still some large gaps that need to be filled in. Namely how long-range missiles can be directed towards their targets, especially if they are moving.
DSR calls to strengthen northern bases
The DSR recommends urgent upgrades and development to Australia’s northern bases should begin immediately.
Defence is holding its partners to new standards and it will be all the better for it
Defence partners are doubling down on strategies to support the fresh impetus around frontline concerns.
Review delivers blow to RAAF’s integrated air defence system
The chances of Australia becoming a global hub for developing integrated air and missile defence systems has just received a major blow.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/special-reports/defence/may-2022/page/3