DPM Marles US dash

At the time of writing Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles was still to explain the reason for this week’s sudden dash to the United States to meet with Trump administration officials. There was some confusion over whether the DPM secured a meeting with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, but it was finally cleared up by the Pentagon. DPM Marles also met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Vice President JD Vance. An information vacuum always invites speculation and this was no exception. Was the Pentagon AUKUS review in trouble? Was the US expressing its frustration over Australia’s rejection of its call for Australia to increase defence spending from the current 2 per cent to 3.5 per cent of GDP? Or was the DPM on a mission to arrange talks for Prime Minister Albanese with US President Donald Trump after almost eight months of drift? The only media from the visit was a photo on X featuring Mr Marles, Secretary Hegseth and Vice President Vance underlined by reassuring comments ab

Counter drone tech accelerated

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has accelerated the acquisition of counter-drone capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Under a $45.9 million systems integration contract announced this week, Leidos Australia will deliver and develop the ADF’s Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft System capability, which will address the increasing threat of drones in modern warfare. Under this project, the Australian Army will undertake an initial rapid demonstration of a minimum viable counter-drone capability by December 2025, which will involve a number of Australian firms, these include: a Cortex Command and Control System, developed by Acacia Systems; an effector system, delivered by EOS Defence Systems; a sensor system, delivered by Department 13; additional sensor and effector systems; and services including systems integration and capability assurance. Mr Conroy said the overwhelming majority of the work under Project Land 156 would be delivered by Australian companies, supporting over 160 Australian j

Japan warship visit

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles is expected to visit Japan next week to inspect the Mogami class frigate Australia is acquiring for the Royal Australian Navy, according to the Japan Times. The frigate deal was announced in early August with Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries edging out German bidder TKMS for the $10 billion eleven vessel purchase. Mitsubishi is to build the first three of the Mogami class general purpose frigates in Japan by 2034 with the final eight vessels to be built at Henderson WA, by Austal. Fostering a stronger Australia-Japan relationship was cited as a factor by DPM Marles at the time. The upgraded Mogami class ship can carry 128 air defence missiles and boasts 32 vertical launch missile slots. The ship has a range of 18,000km compared to the Anzac’s 11,000km. The contract is expected to be finalised by early 2026. Mr Marles is expected to make the visit to Japan with Foreign Minister Penny Wong for the Japan Australia 2+2 Defence and Foreign Affairs Minis

WA defence training boost and UK showcase

The Cook Government has announced $11.5 million to boost the training of shipbuilding apprentices including 435 places in the AUKUS Defence Industry Incentive program. Nuclear-powered submarine sustainment as part of the AUKUS partnership and continuous shipbuilding projects – including the construction of Mogami-class frigates are among future projects. WA Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia said in the next two to five years alone, work was set to begin on the Royal Australian Navy’s general-purpose frigates, large optionally crewed surface vessels, evolved Cape class patrol boats, and the Australian Army’s landing craft. In a push to promote Western Australia’s defence industries. Mr Papalia will also lead a 20 strong delegation of defence businesses to the UK to exhibit capabilities and unlock access to allied supply chains, at the Defence and Security Equipment International trade show (DSEI) from 9-12 September. South Australia is also sending a delegation of up to 50 companies to the event to sho

NIOA starts primary explosives manufacturing

Ammunition manufacturer NIOA has commenced primary explosives manufacturing at the Government-owned Contractor-operated (GOCO) munitions facility in Benalla, Victoria. NIOA’s manufacture of primary explosives for the Australian Defence Force’s F1A1 Grenade, in collaboration with Benalla co-tenants Australian Munitions, is an important achievement in assuring ongoing sovereign supply. It marks the expansion of NIOA’s sovereign manufacturing capabilities to provide explosives, components, and products to meet ADF requirements for capabilities such as grenades and detonators. This is a significant step since the primary explosives manufacturing precinct at Benalla transitioned to NIOA in 2024. The NIOA tenancy at Benalla maintains the Commonwealth’s capabilities for the manufacture of primary energetics, pyrotechnics, medium calibre, mortar and tank ammunition, hand grenades, fuses, primers, along with various laboratory test facilities. NIOA has invested more than $12m in Benalla where it also operates 30mm Bo