Oz alarm at Chinese military might

China’s show of force in staging an international conference and military parade in Beijing, well-attended by global leaders, has mobilised Australia to redouble efforts to shore up the Quad and AUKUS security partnerships. Both partnerships represent a bulwark against China and are of great interest to Australian industry as they include efforts to build strategic partnerships and provide commercial export and supply chain opportunities. Australia and Japan are understood to be lobbying India to resuscitate the Quad leaders meetings – a grouping involving India Japan, Australia, and the US. Indian support for the Quad (which it was due to host this year) has been flagging following US president Donald Trump to impose tariffs of up to 50 per cent on India. The move has seen Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi draw closer to China and President Xi Jinping. Although Mr Modi did not attend the military display, he was at the accompanying Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. AUKUS is under threat from a rev

Putin gives oil sanctions the slip

Foreign Minister Penny Wong told parliament this week that Russia was avoiding some oil sanctions by exporting the fuel and fuel products via third countries. Senator Wong said although primary ban was in place on direct imports there was currently no tracking system for oil or oil products directed through a third country. Senator Wong was responding to Tasmanian Senator Jacquie Lambie who asked a question about so-called Russian “blood oil’’ and “blood oil’’ products and how the Albanese government could stop indirect imports in to Australia. Senator Wong said in the absence of any international tracking system and sanctions enforcement it was up to Australian companies to check their own supply chains to try to ensure they were not using Russian oil or oil derived products trafficked via third countries. Minister Wong said the Albanese government did not want to see Russia benefit given its illegal invasion and ongoing siege of Ukraine. US President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure a peace deal with Russi

AUKUS Defence exports climb

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles told parliament this week that more than 470 Defence businesses in Australia had qualified for the licence exempt export environment negotiated under the auspices of the AUKUS partnership. Australia, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) finalised the establishment of an export licence-free environment, unlocking billions of dollars of investment and cutting red tape for Australian industry and AUKUS partners from September 1, 2024. DPM Marles said so far that meant firms in Australia had generated $130 million in exports to the US and UK including in those countries defence supply chains. He said $110 million of that amount had been generated since February 2025 alone. The changes introduced included licence free trade for over 70 per cent of defence exports from the US to Australia that are subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Licence free trade for over 80 per cent of defence trade from the US to Australia that are sub

Keel laid for final OPV

A ceremony has been held to mark the laying of the keel of the final Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 6, NUSHIP Carpentaria at Henderson, Western Australia. Rear Admiral Michael Houghton, Head of Patrol Boats and Specialist Ships, said the program had created and sustained local jobs and harnessed the national defence industry’s local talent and technology. He added that defence investment in a sovereign Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Enterprise is expected to support around 8,500 jobs in shipbuilding and sustainment by 2030. The first two vessels were constructed at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia with the remaining four currently under construction at the Henderson Maritime Precinct. The first of the vessels was commissioned three years late and the build was beset by delays and cost overruns and the fleet reduced from 12 to six during the project. The first ship, HMAS Arafura, was commissioned into service on 28 June 2025 with the second OPV, NUSHIP Eyre, expected to be deliver

Indonesia and Australia defence industry cooperation boost

Australia and Indonesia have agreed to boost defence industry and technology cooperation following annual high-level talks between the two governments in Canberra. The agreement to also boost military exercises, defence personnel exchanges and training came as part of expanding defence ties between the two nations. Annual talks were held at the annual Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting between the two countries which featured Defence Minister Richard Marles, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, Indonesian Defence Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin and Foreign Minister Sugiono. In a statement the Australian Ministers looked forward to an extensive schedule of planned military exercises in the coming year, including Indonesia’s participation in Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2025 and Exercise KAKADU in 2026. Australian Ministers welcomed the conducting of bilateral Exercise RAJAWALI AUSINDO at Morotai for the first time. Ministers noted their common interest in deepening defence cooperation with regional partners