Australia – Page 6 – The Defense Post

Jan- 2026 -

23 January

Air

RAAF’s First MC-55A Peregrine EW, ISR Aircraft Finally Lands in Australia

The Royal Australian Air Force’s first of four MC-55A Peregrines has finally landed in Australia, following delays from the original timeline under a 2019 foreign military sales deal.

16 January

Asia Pacific

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Australia Bridges Sea and Land Ops With New Amphibious Workhorse

From open water to rough shoreline, the Australian Army is introducing a new amphibious logistics vehicle built to operate where sea and land operations overlap.

9 January

Sea

Jodesz Gavilan

Babcock Trials Composites for Faster Navy Repairs

Babcock has successfully trialed a new composite repair technology on ships from the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal New Zealand Navy.

7 January

Asia Pacific

Christine Casimiro

Australia Plugs $26M Into AI to Supercharge Military Decisions

Australia is boosting its defense capabilities with a nearly 40-million Australian dollar ($26.8 million) investment in emerging tech, including artificial intelligence (AI).

Dec- 2025 -

29 December

Technology

Joe Saballa

Seven Laser Weapons That Defined the Defense Landscape in 2025

Seven laser systems in 2025 proved directed-energy is here to stay, transforming air and maritime defense with speed, precision, and near-unlimited firepower.

22 December

Asia Pacific

Hulls of two future Evolved Cape-class patrol boats under construction in a shipyard

Rojoef Manuel

Australia Expands Evolved Cape Patrol Fleet With Two Additional Boats

Australia has contracted Austal Limited to build two Evolved Cape-class patrol vessels for the country’s border force.

22 December

Americas

Rojoef Manuel

Australia Orders 18 Landing Craft Medium From Austal

Canberra has awarded Austal Limited a contract to build 18 additional Landing Craft Medium vessels for the Australian Army.

17 December

Arms

SMARTSHOOTER SMASH 2000L Fire Control System

Rojoef Manuel

Australia to Test SmartShooter’s Fire Control Systems for Frontline Use

Australia has awarded Israeli firm SmartShooter a contract to assess the company’s Smash 3000 fire control system for frontline ground forces.

14 December

Asia Pacific

Australian Army personnel participate in Exercise Cyber Sentinel, held in Canberra, ACT. Imagery has been digital altered for security purposes. *** Local Caption *** Exercise Cyber Sentinels is an annual cyber exercise which was held 2 13 October 2023 in Canberra, ACT. This was the first time this exercise was planned and held at the secret/Five Eyes level in Australia by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), with previous exercises held by our global partners at a lower classification level. The ADF worked closely with United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) in the planning of this exercise which is part of the global effort sharing of partner cyber readiness. Over 60 US Cyber Command personnel participated alongside over 90 ADF members. The participants were joined by a number of observers from Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The exercise comprised five blue force teams consisting of three Australian teams from the Australian Armys 138 Signals Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force 462 Squadron and Royal Australian Navy Fleet Cyber Unit, and two teams from the United States. Exercise Cyber Sentinels supports the training and development continuum of cyber units by honing individual and collective cyber-based skills. Additionally, the networking and learning opportunities from other nations are benefitting the ADF to further develop in the Cyber Domain and supporting reciprocal training opportunities in the future.

Staff Writer With AFP

Gunmen Kill 11 at Jewish Festival on Australia’s Bondi Beach

Two gunmen killed 11 people and wounded many others at Sydney's Bondi Beach in a "terrorist" attack on a Jewish gathering for the Hanukkah.

12 December

Air

Squadron Leader Andy Brown, a Mission Systems Operator on the Royal Air Force Voyager Multi-Role Tanker Transport conducts air refuelling operations with a United States Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II during Exercise Pitch Black 2022. *** Local Caption *** Exercise Pitch Black is the Royal Australian Air Forces largest and most complex Large Force Employment exercise. Pitch Black 2022 is being conducted at RAAF Bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley from 19 August to 08 September 22. This years exercise will host up to 2500 personnel and around 100 aircraft from 17 participating nations from around the globe. Activities such as Exercise Pitch Black recognise Australias strong relationships and the high value we place on regional security and fostering closer ties throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Exercise Pitch Black features a range of realistic, simulated threats which can be found in a modern battle-space environment and is an opportunity to test and improve our force integration, utilising one of the largest training airspace areas in the world. Exercise Pitch Black aims to further develop offensive counter air, air interdiction and strike, intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, as well as foster international co-operation with partner forces.

Rojoef Manuel

Australia to Transform Mission Aircrew Training in $199M Deal

Canberra has invested over $199.8 million in a new Future Air Mission Training System to expand and modernize how the Royal Australian Air Force prepares mission aircrews.

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