Special Reports

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.

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.

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.

Pipeline of projects rebuilding manufacturing in regional areas

The 32,000-square-metre Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence near Geelong will support more than 300 advanced manufacturing jobs, providing ongoing economic benefits to the region.

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.

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.

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.

Innovative digital construction drives early completion of Hanwha facility

Built has invested heavily in digital systems over the past 10 years and its digital-first construction allows for an entire project to be digitally modelled with a fully resolved design before starting on site.

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.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS GUIDESpecial reports

Mikayla wins Australian Stockholm Junior Water Prize - Anne-Maree Marczan.jpg

Meriden School, NSW

Planning experiments, searching for solutions to real-world challenges and representing Australia in the Olympic Games for science students are all in a day’s schoolwork for Meriden girls.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS GUIDESpecial reports

Artificial intelligence and Automated machine learning language blue digital user interface with businessman hand background. Cybersecurity computer vision metaverse twin drive business industrial.

Shared networks explore AI resources

Independent schools across Australia are collaborating and forming networks to share the ways generative AI can be used for teaching and learning.

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS GUIDESpecial reports

Haileybury students at Keysborough campus

Important lessons on game-changing chatbot

Haileybury’s Michelle Dennis and her colleagues are sharing AI policies and principles with schools across Australia.

DEFENCE REPORTSpecial reports

Up skilling workforce to support industry a ‘challenge’

Upskilling and growing our workforce to support the delivery of the nation’s inaugural nuclear-powered submarines is one of Australia’s biggest challenges.

DFENCE REPORTSpecial reports

The sun setting behind two Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornets in the Ordnance Loading Area at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023. *** Local Caption *** Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023 is being conducted across northern Australia from 22 July to 4 August. More than 30,000 military personnel from 13 nations will directly participate in Talisman Sabre 2023, primarily in Queensland but also in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and New South Wales. Talisman Sabre is the largest Australia-US bilaterally planned, multilaterally conducted exercise and a key opportunity to work with likeminded partners from across the region and around the world. Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany are all participating in Talisman Sabre 2023 with the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand attending as observers. Occurring every two years, Talisman Sabre reflects the closeness of our alliance and strength of our enduring military relationship with the United States and also our commitment to working with likeminded partners in the region. Now in its tenth iteration, Talisman Sabre provides an opportunity to exercise our combined capabilities to conduct high-end, multi-domain warfare, to build and affirm our military-to-military ties and interoperability, and strengthen our strategic partnerships

Northern airbases: two steps forward, one step back

Australia’s northern airbases take two steps forward but one step back under the Albanese government’s National Defence Strategy (NDS) and Integrated Investment Program.

DEFENCE REPORTSpecial reports

Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Pat Conroy MP announced at Garden Island, Sydney that the Government will deliver a sovereign, autonomous undersea capability for the Royal Australian Navy, through the Ghost Shark Program. Ghost Shark ‘Alpha’ the first prototype co-developed by Defence Science and Technology Group, the Royal Australian Navy and Anduril Australia was unveiled. Ghost Shark Program is Mission Zero for the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA) *** Local Caption *** Minister for Defence Industry, The Hon Pat Conroy MP announced the Government will deliver a sovereign, autonomous undersea capability, through the Ghost Shark Program and confirmed the Ghost Shark Program is Mission Zero for the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA). Only Defence’s highest priorities are selected to become ASCA missions and there must be an identified pathway for the innovation to transition to capability. Ghost Shark ‘Alpha’ is the first of three prototypes being co-developed by the Defence Science and Technology Group, the Royal Australian Navy and Anduril Australia. Ghost Shark will provide the Royal Australian Navy with a stealthy, long-range autonomous undersea warfare capability that can conduct persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and strike. The Ghost Shark will form part of the Albanese Government’s investment of up to $7.2 billion for the development and acquisition of subsea warfare capabilities and new autonomous and uncrewed maritime vehicles. The Government is spending more than $10 billion on autonomous and uncrewed systems, including armed systems, as part of a comprehensive plan to provide the ADF with capabilities it needs to meet strategic circumstances.

Is funding glass half empty or half full in government’s first NDS?

There are two ways to look at the Albanese government’s long-term funding plans set out in its first National Defence Strategy (NDS) and the recent budget documents.

DEFENCE REPORTSpecial reports

Hypersonix eyes cheap, cheerful Mach 12

In the race to be the first to fly from Sydney to London in just a couple of hours, Australia might be the winner.

DEFENCE REPORTSpecial reports

Industry’s role is to deliver the capability required for Defence and ensure those capabilities are available when needed.

Shared goals will ensure safe future

The decades ahead will be characterised by how Australian industry rises to support some of the most ambitious defence and security challenges of our times.

DEFENCE REPORTSpecial reports

EOS Slinger counter-drone system in action during live-fire activity, western NSW

Strengthening defence against evolving threats, countering drones

At a time of conflict in many places around the world, the need for effective defences against drones, or uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), is of critical importance.

DEFENCE REPORTSpecial reports

Royal Australian Navy Officers of New Entry Officer Course 72 during their graduation parade at HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay Territory. *** Local Caption *** Members of New Entry Officers Course (NEOC) 72 graduate completion of 16 weeks initial training. This is the initial entry course for permanent civilian members and inter-service transfers up to and including Leading Seaman (E) in rank.

New military law ‘illogical, unfair and unworkable

The 2016 Defence White Paper tried to establish a growth path for the ADF to increase personnel numbers from about 60,000 to 80,000 by the year 2040. To date that has been a dismal failure.

DEFENCE REPORTSpecial reports

Australian-owned diversified general contractor, Built, is proud to deliver the critical infrastructure that enhances Australia’s defence capabilities.

Ready with infrastructure needs to secure our future

As Australia faces challenging strategic environments, now is the time for a collaborative approach to deliver the infrastructure that is critical for military preparedness.

Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/special-reports/page/3