Australia – Page 18 – The Defense Post

Feb- 2025 -

19 February

Air

Australian Army soldiers and aviators conduct helicopter insertion and extraction training as part of UH-60M Black Hawk introduction into service activities. *** Local Caption *** In early 2023, Defence announced the Australian Governments decision to replace the Taipan Multi Role Helicopter (MRH90) with a fleet of 40 UH-60M Black Hawk Utility Helicopters. Currently, 10 Black Hawks have been delivered to Australia, with all 40 aircraft expected by 2030. The UH-60M Black Hawk provides Army with the modern, credible and sustainable Aviation capability it needs to meet the contemporary challenges of warfare. The UH-60M Black Hawk fleet is being initially established in Holsworthy, New South Wales and is planned to expand into Oakey, Queensland next year.

Australian Army Black Hawk Helicopter Achieves Initial Operating Capability

Australia’s Department of Defence has announced the initial operating capability of the army’s UH-60M Black Hawk medium-lift utility helicopter.

13 February

Air

Staff Writer With AFP

Australia Accuses China Fighter Jet of ‘Unsafe’ Conduct Above South China Sea

Australia said a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares near an Australian air force plane patrolling the South China Sea, accusing Beijing of “unsafe” military conduct.

10 February

Asia Pacific

Australia's third multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton, also known as “AUS3,” takes to the skies for its first flight at Northrop Grumman’s Palmdale, California, facility on October 29, 2024.

Christine Casimiro

Australia’s Third MQ-4C Triton Drone Nears Delivery

Northrop Grumman has completed testing Australia’s third of four MQ-4C Triton drones at its California facility, bringing it one step closer to final delivery.

3 February

Asia Pacific

The first Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessel, NUSHIP Arafura, conducting Sea Trials in August 2024 at the Osborne Naval Shipyard.

Christine Casimiro

Australia Accepts First Arafura Offshore Patrol Vessel

The Australian Ministry of Defence has taken delivery of the first of six Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels (OPV) from Luerssen Australia, an NVL Group subsidiary.

Jan- 2025 -

31 January

Air

The Navy's Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) completes its first live fire event July 19 off the coast of Point Mugu Sea Test Range in California

Rojoef Manuel

Australia to Buy Additional Anti-Radar Missiles From US

Australia is purchasing more Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range missiles from the US.

23 January

Air

The Quantum Systems Vector 2-in-1 and Sypaq Systems CorvoX *** Local Caption *** The Quantum Systems Vector 2-in-1 and Sypaq Systems CorvoX will provide the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force with small uncrewed aerial systems designed to operate across a range of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, enhancing situational awareness, force protection and the potency of Defences capabilities across land and littoral operations. These systems will be able to operate from or within confined areas, including small marine craft, urban environments and close vegetation, and work together with and complement crewed systems on a range of missions. This enables Army and Air Force to secure and control strategic land positions without placing our people in harms way, hold potential adversaries at risk, and support a broader strategy of denial. These capabilities are acquired as part of Project Defence 129 and deliver enhanced situational awareness and increased force protection through the acquisition and sustainment of tactical to nano-UAS platforms capable of operating across the spectrum of maritime and land force operations.

Rojoef Manuel

Australia to Open Radio Factory for Future Tactical Small Drones

Australia has revealed the construction of a communications manufacturing facility to support the armed forces’ small unmanned aerial systems expansion project.

21 January

Americas

Hugin Superior unmanned underwater system

Rojoef Manuel

AUKUS Navies Trial Hugin Drone for Underwater Missions

The UK Royal Navy has partnered with its US and Australian counterparts to assess the Hugin Superior autonomous system’s effectiveness in underwater warfare.

21 January

Air