Indian Ocean Defence Security

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

HMAS Brisbane transits through the Surigao Strait during a regional presence deployment. *** Local Caption *** The Royal Australian Navy is undertaking a regional presence deployment in Southeast and Northeast Asia. During the deployment, HMA Ships Brisbane, Stalwart and Toowoomba will conduct training, exercises, and other engagements with Australia’s regional partners. Regional presence deployments demonstrate Australia’s commitment to, and engagement with the region. The deployments play a vital role in Australia’s long-term security and prosperity by protecting Australia’s interests, preserving a rules-based order, enhancing cooperation and relationships with regional partners and allies, and developing capability and interoperability.

Naval shipbuilding will test industry

Maritime capability reward comes with great risk.

MARCUS HELLYER

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

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Western Australia is the AUKUS state

Australia sits between the choke points of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. But the tilt of this map effectively makes the whole of Western Australia our frontline.

kim beazley

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

Los Angeles-class submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) tied up alongside Diamantina Pier at Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, WA. *** Local Caption *** The nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) is at HMAS Stirling for the second visit by a fast-attack submarine to Australia since the announcement of the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) Optimal Pathway in March 2023.

IODS conference will scrutinise real-world challenges

The Indian Ocean Defence & Security (IODS) conference will explore how the international relationships driving our nuclear-powered submarine purchase may play out in regional diplomacy, co-operation and industry development.

A Staff Reporter

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

HMAS Perth is lowered out of the dry dock at Australian Marine Complex at Henderson, WA after completing a major part of the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program to upgrade radar capabilities, communications systems and crew habitable areas. *** Local Caption *** On 1 July 2021, after more than 1000 days out of water, the Royal Australian Navy Frigate HMAS Perth undocked to finalise her midlife capability assurance program upgrade at Henderson Dockyard, Western Australia. HMAS Perth (III) is the last of eight Anzac class frigates built by Tenix Defence Systems at Williamstown, Victoria for the Royal Australian Navy. HMAS Perth was commissioned in 26 August 2006. Perth is a long-range frigate capable of air defence, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction.

Danger up close and personal here in WA

The announcement that Australia would acquire nuclear submarines was met with interest in economic opportunities and jobs, and WA is moving rapidly to welcome the new defence capability.

Paul Papalia

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Dexter Madrigal from Marine Rotational Force-Darwin 22 and Australian Army Private. Daniel Rochford from16th Battalion, Royal Western Australian Regiment, pose for a photograph under the stars at RAAF Base Curtin during Exercise Koolendong 2022. *** Local Caption *** Australian Defence Force soldiers and United States Marines have commenced Exercise Koolendong – the annual bilateral warfighting exercise in Northern Australia. The increased complexity of Exercise Koolendong 2022 reflects the commitments made at AUSMIN 2021 to enhance force posture cooperation. This exercise will enhance Australia-US interoperability and preparedness to respond to a regional security crisis. We are committed to an open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific region. The culminating exercise of the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin deploys forces by land, air, and sea to training areas in both Western Australia and the Northern Territory, including at Mount Bundy Training Area, RAAF Base Curtin, and Yampi Sound Training Area. Exercise Koolendong demonstrates joint capacity to deploy combined tactical teams across maritime and littoral environments over significant distances and in remote and austere environments.

Northwest crucial to national security

Given the increased strategic importance of WA as focus shifts to the Indo-Pacific region, the ADF is stretched thinly over a vast area of the state. It is time that changed.

Nigel Pittaway

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

The Virginia class, is a class of nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarines, in service in the United States Navy.

Core strengths that will deliver our AUKUS submarines

As an island continent, our nation depends on the sea for its prosperity, security, and identity as a regional power. The future of Australia is undeniably tied to the sea.

Tim Brown

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITY REPORTSpecial reports

Mr Paddy Gregg, Chief Executive Officer, Austal Limited (left) and Mr Jim McDowell, Deputy Secretary, Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Group, sign a Heads of Agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia to establish a Strategic Shipbuilding Agreement between Austal and the Commonwealth. *** Local Caption *** The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon. Pat Conroy MP announced a new partnership with Austal Limited that will shape the future of continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia on Thursday 23 November 2023. The new partnership between Defence and Austal supports the implementation of the Defence Strategic Review recommendations to accelerate and expand the delivery of Landing Craft Medium and Heavy, Austal will build the vessels at Henderson as part of the pilot program.

Secrecy adds uncertainty to frigate program

The next big thing for naval construction in Australia is the General Purpose Frigate program, but there is uncertainty about when it will happen and who will do it.

Kym Bergmann

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

Artists impression of a BAE Hunter-class frigate

Construction begins on the navy’s first Hunter-class vessels

The Hunter-class frigate program has now entered the production phase, with the ceremonial cutting of steel on the first vessel at BAE Systems Australia’s shipyard at Osborne.

Nigel Pittaway

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

As the industry partner, KBR will provide sovereign sustainment capability for multiple asset classes, including the nation’s biggest warships - the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Canberra.

Economic, population expansion means volatility an issue for region

Australia’s strategic ambitions in defence and security are a deliberate and thoughtful framework to align with the evolving environment in the Indo-Pacific region.

Nic Maan

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

Tasmanian SME Sentinel Boats invested heavily to design and build locally for the ADF Sea Boats tender, only for the procurement to be cancelled.

Funding uncertainty throws smaller companies into crisis

Many defence small and medium enterprises are fighting for survival following the DSR, as unclear priorities and cancelled procurements leave them questioning their future in the sector.

SAM DUNCAN

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

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AI revolutionises maritime intelligence

New sources of maritime intelligence now have the potential to revolutionise the Indian Ocean, by making much of the ocean observed spaces at relatively low cost.

DAVID BREWSTER and ANTHONY BERGIN

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

The image is of RSAF 145 Sqn F-16D+ jets, taken during Exercise Pitch Black in 2022. PIcture: Nigel Pittaway

Singapore deploys combat jets to WA

Four Lockheed Martin F-16D+ fighters from the Republic of Singapore Air Force will begin a series of rotational deployments that will see the island nation’s combat jets training in West Australian skies.

Nigel Pittaway

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports

Teams leading the manufacturing of modules and the larger construction blocks for the first Hunter Class frigate at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide.

Partnering for success: SMEs crucial to industry endeavour

With construction of the first Hunter-class frigate now well under way, it is important to acknowledge just how vital Australian SMEs will be to the success of the critical endeavour before us.

Craig Lockhart

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITY REPORTSpecial reports

The first Royal Australian Air Force MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System arrives in its new hangar at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. *** Local Caption *** Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System arrived on home soil today at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory. The MQ-4C Triton is a high altitude, long endurance, remotely piloted aircraft system, which will provide long-range, persistent surveillance across Australia’s maritime approaches and its broader areas of interest. The MQ-4C Triton fleet will be based at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, and operated by Royal Australian Air Force Aircrew of the reformed Number 9 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. Once in service, the MQ-4C Triton and the P-8A Poseidon aircraft will operate as a ‘family of systems’ to provide Defence’s Maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability. Defence will continue to work with industry to support our workforces, to deliver the priorities and capabilities our nation requires to protect Australia and its national interests.

RAAF Triton program takes off

The first of four MQ-4C Triton uncrewed surveillance aircraft ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force arrived at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory last month.

GREGOR FERGUSON

INDIAN OCEAN DEFENCE & SECURITYSpecial reports