New military pilot training aircraft arrive in NZ
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Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the arrival of the first two new Air Force T-6C pilot training aircraft is an important milestone.
“It is great to see the first T-6C aircraft arrive in New Zealand just seven months after Beechcraft Defense Company was awarded the contract to deliver a new effective military pilot training system,&...
New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) outlines strategic vision
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New Zealand's Ministry of Defence has outlined it's strategic intentions for the period July 2014 through mid 2018.
To view full publication online, or to download the document, visit the NZMoD website link below
http://www.defence.govt.nz/reports-publications/strategic-intentions-2014/contents.html
...
Gearing up for Land Forces 2014
LAND FORCES 2014 will provide the ideal platform for Australian and international providers of defence equipment and services to promote their capabilities to decision makers from around the world.
Held in Brisbane and therefore close to many of the Australian Army’s core operational headquarters and combat formations, LAND FORCES 2014 has...
Base services contracts signed
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The signing of the final five contracts for support services at Defence bases today has signalled the end of the largest single procurement of its type undertaken by the Commonwealth.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence the Hon Darren Chester MP said the contract signing brought to conclusion the multi-billion dollar Base Service...
Defence White Paper public consultation invited
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A 50-page Defence Issues Paper, containing a summary of the key issues for consideration in next year’s White Paper, has been released today by Defence Minister David Johnston.
The 2015 Defence White Paper will allow the Government to take stock of the long-term opportunities and challenges for Australia’s defence and security. ...
New CDG chief confirmed
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The Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Mark Binskin, AC has announced Major General John Caligari, AM, DSC will succeed Vice Admiral Peter Jones AO, DSC, RAN as the Chief of Capability Development Group.
“Major General Caligari will bring a wealth of experience to this role. He has worked in the Capability Development Group sinc...
New program to strengthen Defence research
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A new partnership program between the Department of Defence and the innovation sector launched today will strengthen and enhance the impact of Defence science research in Australia.
The Defence Science Partnerships program, led by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), will enable Australian universities to work in a coordinated...
Airbus Group Australia Pacific new headquarters opened in Canberra
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Leading local defence manufacturer Australian Aerospace Limited has been rebranded as Airbus Group Australia Pacific, marking the occasion with the formal opening of a new headquarters complex in Canberra.
The new offices were officially opened this morning by the Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon. David Johnston.
Following the lead taken...
NZ Navy seeks tanker replacement for Endeavour
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Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government has given approval for the NZDF to seek a replacement for the naval tanker HMNZS Endeavour.
“To operate effectively the NZDF needs to provide fuel and logistical support to its deployed ships, helicopters and vehicles,” says Dr Coleman.
“This capability is crucial given...
Thales awarded the Navy’s Adelaide Class guided missile frigate’s (FFG) Group Maintenance Contract.
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Minister for Defence David Johnston today announced that Thales Australia Ltd has been awarded the Navy’s Adelaide Class guided missile frigate’s (FFG) Group Maintenance Contract.
Senator Johnston said the contract will be for an initial period of four and half years with the potential for contract extensions to an anticipated value ...
ABDI on levelling the playing field
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by Graeme Dunk
In last month's editorial I wrote about Creating the Investment Environment. One of the topics considered within this subject was to Level the Playing Field. This aspect is considered further in this article.
A lot is written and spoken in Government and policy circles about the level playing field wi...
Minister for Defence commissions JSF model ‘Iron Bird’ to study electromagnetic effects
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A full-scale model of the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter unveiled today will be used by the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) to study the effects of electromagnetic compatibility and interference on the aircraft.
Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston said the Australian-built model, known as Iron Bird, would be tested under s...
KBR wins LHD sustainment contract
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Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today announced an Australian company had been awarded a multi‑million dollar contract to sustain Australia’s new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships.
Kellogg, Brown & Root Pty Ltd (KBR) has been awarded the key contract to provide Capability Support Coordinator (CSC) services for the LHDs ...
Advisers appointed for AWD program reform strategy
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The Government has taken the next step to put the Air Warfare Destroyer Program back on track with the appointment of key expert advisers to assist with the implementation of the Reform Strategy.
We have today appointed Greenhill & Co Australia Pty Ltd as Commercial Adviser and Ashurst Australia as Legal Adviser. These appointments followed ...
NZ Defence Capability Plan released
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Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the 2014 Defence Capability Plan shows good progress has been made on modernising NZDF capabilities.
“The 2014 Defence Capability Plan describes the new equipment and assets that the NZDF will purchase over the next decade. It resets capability and investment priorities, and focuses on the NZDF&rsqu...
Minister announces first set of key initiatives outlining Government’s long-term strategic naval plan
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The Minister for Defence David Johnston today announced the first set of key initiatives in the Abbott Government’s long-term strategic naval plan.
Within a year of taking office the Government is moving decisively to tackle Labor’s Defence mess and to ensure that Australia does not face major capability gaps as a result of Labor&rsq...
Air Warfare Destroyer added to Projects of Concern list
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Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today announced that the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Project will be placed on the Projects of Concern (PoC) list.
Senator Johnston said the AWD project will be added to the PoC list as part of the plan to address the increasing commercial, schedule and cost risks outlined by the independent review by ...
Jindalee Operational Radar Network achieves operational capability
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The Jindalee Operational Radar Network, provided by Joint Project 2025 Phase Five, has achieved Final Operational Capability (FOC) Defence Minister David Johnston said today.
Senator Johnston said the successful delivery of JP 2025 Phase Five has improved JORN’s over-the-horizon-radar performance and its integration with the wider Defence ...
Latest round of SADI funding announced
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The latest round of funding under the Skilling Australia’s Defence Industry (SADI) initiative was announced today by Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston.
Senator Johnston said more than $5 million in funding would be made available to industry in the 2014-15 financial year under round one of the SADI Program to boost the skills of...
Bersama Shield 2014 – a long-standing partnership builds regional stability
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Military strength and diplomatic might will come together in Malaysia in the coming weeks during one of South East Asia’s most significant regional exercises involving Australia and its regional security partners.
Exercise Bersama Shield 2014 will see the Australian Defence Force join with the defence forces of New Zealand, Malaysia, Singa...
Forgacs to provide a Landing Craft to Tonga
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A contract worth almost $5 million between the Defence Materiel Organisation and Newcastle-based shipbuilder Forgacs Engineering Pty Ltd, for the manufacture of a 30 metre Landing Craft Medium, to be gifted to the Kingdom of Tonga by the Australian Government has been welcomed by the Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston.
...
NZ welcomes new RNZAF command
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The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) marked a change of leadership today when Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Mike Yardley took command as Chief of Air Force in a ceremony at RNZAF Base Auckland.
The Change of Command ceremony was traditionally formal and impressive, to reflect the importance of the role and the continuity of command for the organisat...
New Rheinmetall trucks delivered to NZDF units
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Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the first batch of new Medium-Heavy Operational Vehicles have been delivered to NZDF units.
“It is great to see these vehicles being used by the NZDF just 12 months on from when they were purchased,” says Dr Coleman.
“The Government achieved a fast delivery and ensured value for money...
Government approves acquisition of additional F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters
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The Government has approved the acquisition of an additional 58 F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft.
The fifth generation F-35 is the most advanced fighter in production anywhere in the world and will make a vital contribution to our national security.
Together with the Super Hornet and Growler electronic warfare aircraft, th...
Japan, Indonesia buy Bushmaster
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Thales Australia has secured sales of its Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle to Indonesia and Japan, marking the first Asian orders of the 4x4 wheeled armoured vehicle.
The sale to Indonesia was concluded, but not announced, in late 2013 and features three Bushmaster troop variants that were delivered to the Indonesian Special Forces (Kopassu...
Marand delivers first vertical tails for F-35 Lightning II
in prime-defence-news by ANZDD 0 Reviews
A ceremony was held today at Australian company, Marand, commemorating the delivery of the first ship of Australian made F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter vertical tails.
The Honourable Dr. Denis Napthine, Premier of Victoria and The Honourable Michael Ronaldson, Senator for Victoria representing the Defence Minister were among the distingu...
Meet NZDF's new leadership team
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Air Vice-Marshal Kevin Short, Brigadier Tim Gall and Air Commodore Mike Yardley will be taking on new senior roles in the New Zealand Defence Force.
Air Vice-Marshal (AVM) Short moves to Vice Chief of Defence Force and Brigadier Tim Gall will take on the role of Commander Joint Forces that AVM Short vacates.
The new Chief of Air Force will be...
Minister for Defence applauds $901 million Wedgetail sustainment contract
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Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston says a $901 million dollar Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control support contract unveiled today spells job security for hundreds of Australian workers.
Senator Johnston said the support contract extension, signed by the Defence Materiel Organisation, will be undertaken by Boeing Defence Au...
Australian Navy to acquire Triton UAV long-range capability
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The Government has committed to the acquisition of the highly-capable Triton Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), subject to the successful completion of the US Navy development programme currently under way.
These aircraft will patrol Australia’s vast ocean approaches, and work closely with other existing and future Australian Defence Force ass...
Navantia delivers first batch of LCM-1E landing craft to RAN
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The first four fast landing crafts (LLC) for the Royal Australian Navy departed early March on board a cargo ship from Navantia's facilities in Puerto Real. The remaining eight units are being built by Navantia in different steps of construction, and will be delivered in groups of four during the coming months.
The LCM craft, based on landin...
Northrop Grumman Australia completes acquisition of Qantas Defence Services
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FALLS CHURCH, Va. – Feb. 27, 2014 – Northrop Grumman Australia Pty Limited, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), announced that it has completed the acquisition of Qantas Defence Services Pty Limited, now called Northrop Grumman Integrated Defence Services Pty Limited (IDS), a provider of integrated logistics, sustai...
RAAF celebrates 100 years of military aviation
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The Royal Australian Air Force will tomorrow mark 100 years of military aviation in Australia, celebrating the moment when Lieutenant Eric Harrison took off in a Bristol Boxkite aircraft at Point Cook on 1 March 1914.
The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Brown, AO, said it was important to remember the contribution past aviators had ...
P-8A Poseidon Aircraft to boost Australia’s maritime surveillance capabilities
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The Government has approved the acquisition of eight P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft.
These state-of-the-art aircraft will dramatically boost Australia’s ability to monitor its maritime approaches and patrol over 2.5 million square kilometres of our marine jurisdiction – an area equating to nearly 4 per cent of the world...
NZ Navy hosts largest exercise in decades
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Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the New Zealand Navy’s largest exercise in decades gets underway in Auckland today.
“With over 600 personnel from 14 nations and five military ships from New Zealand, Australia, and the Republic of Korea, this is a significant exercise for the New Zealand Navy,” says Dr Coleman.
&ldqu...
Warren King hits back at Ai Group Defence Council
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CEO DMO, Mr Warren King, has stated that the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has made significant progress on budget and project performance since its formation in 2000 and in particular since the Kinnaird Review and transition to a prescribed agency in 2005.
Mr King’s comments come in response to a recent media article which...
Second LHD arrives in Melbourne
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After travelling over 10,000 nautical miles from Ferrol, Spain, Australia’s second and final Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) has arrived in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne.
The LHD travelled to Australia on the back of Heavy Lift Ship Blue Marlin, and once commissioned will be known as HMAS Adelaide.
CEO DMO, Warren King, welcomed the s...
General Keating assumes NZ Defence Force command
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Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has congratulated newly promoted Lieutenant General Tim Keating, who has today assumed command of the NZ Defence Force.
“It has been a fitting ceremony to mark the departure of out-going Chief of Defence Force (CDF), Lieutenant General Rhys Jones, who has handed-over to Lieutenant General Keating,”...
First MH-60R accepted by RAN
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The first two MH-60R Seahawk Romeo maritime combat helicopters were accepted by the Royal Australian Navy at an ‘In Service Date’ ceremony conducted by NUSQN 725 at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida on the 24th January.
The first two of twenty-four airframes on order from Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin, were delivered to t...
Second LHD Australia-bound
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The hull of the second and last of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Landing Helicopter Docks (LHD) has departed Spain.
The LHD hull will be transported to Melbourne, Australia, by the Heavy Lift Ship Blue Marlin. The hull was built at the Navantia Ferrol shipyard in Spain.
The hull of the second and last of the Royal Australian Navy&rs...
DMO loads up direct link to Australian + New Zealand Defence Directory
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DMO have now delivered on their recent decision to establish a direct link between the DRN (Defence Restricted Network) and the DMO website with the Australian + New Zealand Defence Directory.
This presents a big step forward in ensuring all those with an industry capability focus, right across all aspects of DoD, can now benefit from universal,...
Jamaica buys 12 Bushmasters
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06 December 2013
Thales Australia has signed a contract to supply 12 Bushmaster vehicles to the Jamaica Defence Force.
The vehicles are all troop carrier variants equipped with Thales’s SOTAS M2 communication system, and deliveries will begin in 2015.
The contract also includes a five-year support package to ensure the highest levels...
New NZ defence chief confirmed
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Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has announced that the new Chief of Defence Force will be Major General Tim Keating.
Currently the Vice Chief of Defence Force, Major General Keating will be promoted to Lieutenant General and will take over from Lieutenant General Rhys Jones on 1 February 2014 for a three year term.
“I congratulate M...
Australia's Chinook mission in Afghanistan complete
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Rotary Wing Group - Eight (RWG-8), the Australian Army Aviation Detachment, has completed its five-month mission in Afghanistan.
RWG-8 marked the End of Mission during a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield (KAF) on 14 September.
The KAF-based RWG consisted of two CH-47D Chinook medium lift helicopters operating throughout the Afghan summer months a...
ANZAC Class frigate comms upgrade announced
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2 December 2013
Defence Minister Senator David Johnston today announced that Defence has awarded two multi-million dollar contracts to Selex ES Ltd for the acquisition and support of modernised communication systems for the Royal Australian Navy’s eight ANZAC Class frigates.
Senator Johnston said the modernisation of the communication...
Canberra based company awarded radar development contract
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28 November 2013
Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today announced the award of a Standing Offer contract to Canberra based company CEA Technologies, to develop high powered Phased Array Radar technology.
Senator Johnston said the contract for the development of systems based on the CEAFAR radar would support a number of future De...
WORLD CLASS HELICOPTER SIMULATOR FOR THE ADF
29 August 2013
Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation, Warren King, today formally accepted the delivery of the first of two MRH90 helicopter simulators at the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey, Queensland.
The simulator allows Army and Navy pilots to practice their skills in all flight regimes, day or night, and ac...
Launch completes Global Satellite Communications capability
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The sixth Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) has successfully been launched overnight in the United States (US).
Chief Executive Officer of the Defence Materiel Organisation Mr Warren King said this launch completes the constellation of six WGS satellites, as agreed under the joint US and Australian Memorandum of Understanding.
“The launch...
Successful Torpedo Firing
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16 August 2013
The Royal Australian Navy has successfully conducted the world’s first firing of a “war shot” MU90 Lightweight Torpedo, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs AO CSC RAN annouced today.
ANZAC Class Frigate HMAS Stuart fired the explosive warhead against a specially designed target in the East Australian Exerci...