Current Events in Asia-Pacific

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-30/aukus-announcement-to-develop-undersea-vehicles/106741398?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-24/us-navy-awards-contract-for-aukus-submarine-deal/106601042?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-31/australia-to-buy-second-hand-united-states-submarines-aukus/106742496?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

From Defence Aerospace Defence Statement - Super Seasprite Helicopters (Source: Australian Department of Defense; issued March 19, 2005) The [Royal Australian] Navy's Super Seasprite project has been misrepresented by claims made in today's Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. The aircraft is currently undergoing a certification process before it can become fully operational. Defence expects to receive a certified helicopter later this year. Once accepted, the Super Seasprite will fulfil all of its planned roles including search and rescue operations in poor visibility. This is a normal and proper process for Defence to follow in testing a new aircr…

Amazingly our Aussie sub didn't break down, sink or miss. Video Used a Mark 48 Mod 7 (CBASS) do we have these in Harpoon ?

From Defense Aerospace Government Approves First Stage of Amphib Ships Project (Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued Aug. 11, 2005) The Federal Government has approved the first stage of the $2 billion Amphibious Ships project which will provide Navy with a world class capability to deploy land forces on operations. Defence Minister Robert Hill said the project will provide Navy with two new amphibious ships to be used on operations such as combat operations, regional disaster relief, humanitarian aid, peacekeeping and peace monitoring, and assistance to policing or military operations. Australian shipbuilders will be invited to tender for…

From DefenseNews Australia Cancels Seasprite Contract AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Published: 4 Mar 22:13 EST (17:13 GMT) SYDNEY - Australia on March 5 cancelled a $1 billion (930 million U.S.) contract for U.S.-made Seasprite helicopters following a review of the troubled project. The Australian navy ordered 11 of the anti-submarine and anti-shipping helicopters in 1997 but technical problems meant they were never fully operational and the fleet was indefinitely grounded in 2006. Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon ordered a review of the project after the center-left Labor Party won office last November as part of a wider examination of a series of controversial …

Australia Cedes the Seas (Wall Street Journal) Nutso.

Australia commissions first Hobart-class air warfare destroyer (Jane's)

Australia could buy F-35B (Jane's)

Australia enters homegrown missile race — but can it really stand alone? SBS NewsAustralia enters homegrown missile race — but can it real...As Australia ramps up missile production, experts say supply chain gaps and export challenges could limit its independence.

From Aviation Week Australia Eyes E/A-18Gs, Confirms F/A-18Fs Mar 17, 2008 Bradley Perrett Australia will consider buying Boeing E/A-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft following confirmation of its order for 24 of the standard two-seat version of the Super Hornet, the F/A-18F. In a review of air combat requirements, the Labor government now endorses the Super Hornet as “an excellent aircraft capable of meeting any known threat in the region,” even though Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has spent months criticizing the hasty process in which the former Liberal National administration decided to buy it last year. Fitzgibbon has implied, but never spe…

From Defense Aerospace Joint Strike Fighter (Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued Feb. 1, 2007) Australia says it may lease 24 F-18Es as a stop-gap solution pending delivery of its JSFs. Australia’s planned acquisition of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) remains on track. Initial Operational Capability of the first squadron of JSF is expected in 2014/2015. In December I signed on behalf of the Australian Government the JSF Production, Sustainment and Follow-on Development (PSFD) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The full complement of JSF will be phased in over the next decade. Statements that JSF will be far less capable than initia…

From Defense Aerospace Preferred Designer Chosen for AWD Contract (Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued Aug. 16, 2005) The Federal Government has chosen Gibbs & Cox as the preferred designer for Navy’s Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs) - one of Australia’s largest and most complex Defence projects worth up to $6 billion. Defence Minister Robert Hill said Gibbs & Cox now joins a team made up of ASC Shipbuilder Pty Ltd, who has been selected to build the AWDs, and Raytheon Australia, selected as the Combat System-System Engineer. Senator Hill said Gibbs & Cox, a United States based company, was chosen through a competitive tender eva…

From Defense Aerospace Deed of Settlement and Release Signed for FFG Upgrade (Source: ADI Ltd.; issued May 30, 2006) ADI Limited has signed a Deed of Settlement and Release with the Commonwealth of Australia formalising the Government’s decision to reduce the FFG Upgrade Project from six ships to four and resolving all outstanding commercial and contractual issues on the A$1 billion project. The deed, signed by vice president Thales Naval Australia and ADI director of naval Ali Baghaei, and Defence Materiel Organisation deputy CEO Kim Gillis on Monday May 29, is the result of several months of detailed negotiations. The signing comes one month after the fir…

Australia dumps troubled European-designed Taipan helicopters for US Black Hawks and Seahawks https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-10/australia-dumps-troubled-mrh-90-taipan-helicopters/100688550

From australian abc news service https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-22/australia-canada-sign-billion-dollar-over-horizon-radar-deal/106827724?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=other

Australia signs up for Poseidon (Jane's)

Australia to Pursue Nuclear Attack Subs in New Agreement with U.S., U.K. (USNI News) Huge news for the Aussies.

From Flight International DATE: 04/01/08 SOURCE: Flight International Australia to review Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet purchase By Emma Kelly Australia's newly elected Labor government is to review the country's air power capability, in a controversial move that could see the previous administration's A$6.6 billion ($5.8 billion) order for 24 Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornets dumped, and the planned purchase of up to 100 Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters also face a fresh assessment. Australia became the first export customer for the Super Hornet (US Navy F/A-18F pictured below) last March, with its two-seat fighters scheduled for delivery from 2010 a…