April 2022 - Australia Special Weapons News

RAAF achieves milestone refuelling of Japanese aircraft Australia DOD 29 Apr 2022 -- For the first time, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has conducted air-to-air refuelling flight testing with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF, or Koku-Jieitai).
Air Force refuels Japanese aircraft for the first time Australia DOD 29 Apr 2022 -- For the first time, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has conducted air-to-air refuelling flight testing with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF, or Koku-Jieitai).
HMAS Maitland decommissions in Darwin Australia DOD 28 Apr 2022 -- The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has decommissioned Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Maitland at a ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin, following 16 years of service.
Australia and Vietnam: Strengthening peacekeeping cooperation Australia DOD 28 Apr 2022 -- Australia is committed to deepening bilateral ties with its regional and strategic partners, including the shared and growing peacekeeping relationship with Vietnam.
Regiment gets its guns out Australia DOD 28 Apr 2022 -- Ground crew aircraft support (GCAS) soldiers provided vital functions for helicopters on Exercise Griffin Guns.
The First Marine Division Returns to Australia, as Blue Diamond 6 Visits MRF-D USMC News 27 Apr 2022 -- Maj. Gen. Roger Turner, Commanding General of the First Marine Division, visited the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin and the Australian First Brigade on April 21.
HMAS Ararat trains with Ocean Protector Australia DOD 27 Apr 2022 -- The crew of HMAS Ararat recently conducted interoperability activities with Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Ocean Protector while deployed near the remote Australian territory of Christmas Island on Operation Resolute.
USS Frank Cable Conducts Expeditionary Reload in Australia with USS Springfield Alongside US Navy 26 Apr 2022 -- Emory S. Land-class submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) completed her first weapons handling exercise involving the transfer of an inert training shape to a U.S. Navy submarine at HMAS Stirling Naval Base, Australia, April 24, 2022.
China's Pacific Deal Pushes National Security to Heart of Australian Election Campaign VOA 26 Apr 2022 -- China's new security accord with Solomon Islands, a Pacific archipelago northeast of Australia, has caused alarm in Canberra.
FM refutes Australia's repeated smear on China-Solomon Islands security pact Global Times 25 Apr 2022 -- Chinese Foreign Ministry rebuked Australian Prime Minister and Defence Minister for deliberately twisting the security cooperation pact between China and the Solomon Islands on Monday.
China's building of military base in Solomon 'fake news' by Australia: Beijing Press TV 25 Apr 2022 -- Beijing says China's building a military base in the Solomon Islands is 'fake news' made up by Australia, and that such attempts are aimed at undermining relationships between countries.
Beijing Denies Remarks on China's Alleged Desire to Build Military Base on Solomon Islands Sputnik 25 Apr 2022 -- Statements about China's alleged desire to build a permanent military presence on the Solomon Islands under a bilateral security agreement are nothing but disinformation, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Monday.
Australia Warns It Won't Tolerate PLA Bases 'in Our Region' as Beijing, Solomon Islands Pen Pact Sputnik 24 Apr 2022 -- Washington has threatened to "respond accordingly" if China moved to establish a permanent military presence on the Solomon Islands, the Pacific island nation, situated about 1,500 km northeast of Australia and over 9,200 km southwest of the US West Coast. Beijing and Honiara signed a defence pact last week.
Canada announces artillery and other additional military aid for Ukraine Canada 22 Apr 2022 -- As the Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, committed earlier this week, Canada has provided heavy artillery to the Security Forces of Ukraine, as Ukraine has requested.
COVID-19 Restrictions Ease For Millions of Australians VOA 22 Apr 2022 -- Australia's most populous states will on Friday abolish a raft of coronavirus rules, including compulsory isolation for close contacts. Some vaccine mandates for key workers will also be scrapped. Health officials in New South Wales and Victoria say the overhaul to the rules is a "big step" and is part of a plan to "co-exist with COVID-19."
Exercise Diamond Shield concludes Australia DOD 22 Apr 2022 -- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has successfully completed the first two exercises in the 2022 Diamond Series for the third biennial Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC). Exercise Diamond Shield, the second of the three exercises, concluded in April 2022.
Air Force ready in all conditions Australia DOD 21 Apr 2022 -- Set against the coastal backdrop of the historic Old Bar airfield, north of Newcastle, this year's Exercise Diamond Shield held from February to April, gave Air Force's No. 3 Control and Reporting Unit (3CRU) appropriately challenging weather in which to test equipment designed to stand up in all environments.
Purple Pony is back in the water Australia DOD 21 Apr 2022 -- HMAS Toowoomba, nicknamed the Purple Pony, was returned to the water at Henderson, Western Australia, on April 12 after an 18-month maintenance period.
Australia Grants Refugee Visas to Thousands of Ukrainians Fleeing War VOA 20 Apr 2022 -- About 6,000 Ukrainians have been granted humanitarian visas in Australia. The visas will allow the Ukrainian refugees to work and study for up to three years.
MRF-D and the Australian 1st Brigade Welcomes the Commandant of the Marine Corps USMC News 20 Apr 2022 -- Gen. David Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, visited with Marines and Sailors of the Marine Rotational Force-Darwin, and Soldiers of the Australian Defence Force on April 14.
US, Australia scramble to head off China pact with Solomon Islands Press TV 20 Apr 2022 -- The US is dispatching two senior officials to the Solomon Islands after a visit to the South Pacific nation by an Australian minister in bids to block a security pact it has signed with China.
US, Allies Huddle to Strategise Pacific Stakes as China Fills Security Gaps in Solomon Islands Sputnik 20 Apr 2022 -- China announced the signing of a security pact with the Solomon Islands on Tuesday amid serious concerns raised by the US and its allies. But the Islands assured other Pacific nations that the agreement would not hamper regional security dynamics.
Statement by NSC Spokesperson Adrienne Watson on U.S. Consultations with Australia, Japan, and New Zealand in Honolulu The White House 19 Apr 2022
Australia - Defense Articles Related to Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems DSCA 19 Apr 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of Defense Articles Related to Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio Systems and related equipment for an estimated cost of $42 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Australia's new health minister to be appointed, COVID-19 case numbers continue to rise People's Daily 17 Apr 2022 -- Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed Senator Anne Ruston will take over as the minister for health if the government is re-elected.
Guardians of the Spirit Australia DOD 14 Apr 2022 -- A unique visitor to RAAF Base Amberley has given No. 2 Security Forces Squadron the opportunity to enhance security interoperability by working with a foreign partner.
Japan Denies Report About Invitation to Join AUKUS to Develop Hypersonic Weapons Sputnik 13 Apr 2022 -- Last Tuesday, the US, UK, and Australia, which formed a trilateral security alliance in September 2021, announced new cooperation on hypersonic weapons as well as other means of electronic warfare. The three countries are enhancing their defence cooperation which is believed to be designed to deter China in the Indo-Pacific.
Australia, US Ask Solomon Islands to Reconsider Security Pact with China Sputnik 13 Apr 2022 -- The security pact between China and the Solomon Islands which is to be signed soon, has caused severe concerns in Washington and among its allies, resulting in a plethora of visits to Honiara by American and Australian officials this month.
China says Australia must stay away from confrontation over Solomon Islands Press TV 13 Apr 2022 -- China has called on Australia to refrain from confrontation in the Pacific region in the wake of a trip by an Australian minister to the Solomon Islands aimed at discouraging officials there from signing a security pact with Beijing.
Australia minister arrives in Solomon Islands to lobby against security pact with China Press TV 13 Apr 2022 -- An Australian government minister has arrived in the Solomon Islands to pressure officials in the sovereign country not to sign a security pact with China.
14TH INDIAN NAVY - ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY (IN - RAN) NAVY TO NAVY STAFF TALKS, 11-13 APR 22 India PIB 13 Apr 2022 -- 14th IN - RAN Navy to Navy Staff Talks were held from 11-13 Apr 22 at New Delhi. The meeting was co-chaired by RAdm Christopher Smith, Deputy Chief of Navy, RAN and RAdm J Singh, ACNS (FCI), IN.
India - Australia Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (Mpra) Coordinated Operations India PIB 12 Apr 2022 -- A P8I Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft of the Indian Navy have arrived at Darwin, Australia.
808 Squadron shows its versatility in Tonga Australia DOD 12 Apr 2022 -- During Operation Tonga Assist 2022, crews from Navy's 808 Squadron completed dozens of missions around the 169-island archipelago, including VIP flights, airlifting essential stores and equipment, and transporting medical teams and COVID-19 vaccines to outlying islands.
India deploys maritime patrol aircraft to Darwin Australia DOD 12 Apr 2022 -- India's Navy will deploy a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to Darwin from 11-15 April to conduct coordinated exercises with a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
Deputy Secretary Sherman's Call with Australian DFAT Secretary Kathryn Campbell US Dept. of State 12 Apr 2022
Australians to Vote on May 21 VOA 11 Apr 2022 -- The economy, national security and climate change are expected to be key issues when Australians vote in a general election on May 21.
Australia To Gift 20 Bushmasters To Government Of Ukraine Prime Minister of Australia 08 Apr 2022-- The Australian Government will provide further support to the Government of Ukraine by gifting 20 Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, including two ambulance variants, to aid the Government of Ukraine's response to Russia's unrelenting and illegal aggression.
Australia To Deliver Anti-Armour And Ammunition To Ukraine Prime Minister of Australia 08 Apr 2022-- The Australian Government will provide further military support to the Government of Ukraine in response to Russia's unrelenting and illegal aggression.
Further support for Ukraine Australia DOD 08 Apr 2022 -- The Australian Government will provide further support to the Government of Ukraine by gifting 20 Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, including two ambulance variants, to aid the Government of Ukraine's response to Russia's unrelenting and illegal aggression. Australia's response follows a direct request from President Zelenskyy during his address to the Australian Parliament on 31 March 2022.
Palau's patrol boat supports Pacific priorities Australia DOD 08 Apr 2022 -- The Australia Defence Force is working closely with the Pacific nation of Palau to enable it to patrol its vast territorial waters and protect vital fisheries from poaching.
Foreign Ministry statement on personal sanctions on senior officials and MPs of Australia Russia Ministry of Foreign Affairs 07 Apr 2022
Australia to Develop Hypersonic Missile Capability VOA 07 Apr 2022 -- Under an updated timetable, Australian fighter jets would be armed with advanced U.S.-manufactured air-to-surface missiles by 2024, three years earlier than planned. Its navy frigates and destroyers would be equipped with Norwegian-made missiles by 2024, five years ahead of schedule.
Deputy Secretary Sherman's Meeting with UK National Security Adviser Lovegrove US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
U.S., Britain, Australia to develop hypersonic missiles People's Daily 06 Apr 2022 -- The United States, Britain and Australia announced Tuesday that they will cooperate on developing hypersonic missiles.
AUKUS plans hypersonic weapons to confront China as US speeds up NATO, Asian allies' coordination Global Times 06 Apr 2022 -- As the US, the UK and Australia announced they would cooperate to develop hypersonic weapons under the framework of the new AUKUS alliance and the NATO leaders are set - for the first time ever - to discuss China's influence and "coercive policies" in its next strategic concept, analysts said that the US is making use of the Ukraine crisis to speed up the coordination of NATO and the "Asian version of NATO" to serve its purpose of containing China and keep its global hegemony, which will bring greater harm to both regional and global peace, and risk a regional arms race.
'Undermines Peace and Stability': China Condemns Move by AUKUS to Jointly Develop Hypersonic Weapons Sputnik 06 Apr 2022 -- In a joint statement on 5 April, the US, UK, and Australia announced that the three nations, which had previously signed the so-called AUKUS security pact, will be developing hypersonic weapons together. The announcement follows the first successful test of a US hypersonic glider after a series of reported failures.
China slams US-UK-Aussie pact to develop hypersonic weapons Press TV 06 Apr 2022 -- China has censured newly-announced joint efforts by the US, Britain, and Australia to develop hypersonic weapons and electronic warfare capabilities.
Weapons program fires up Australia DOD 06 Apr 2022 -- The government has advanced its $1 billion weapons program in announcing Raytheon Australia and Lockheed Martin Australia as partners of the Sovereign Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.
Secretary Blinken's Meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Payne US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
Secretary Antony J. Blinken and Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne Before Their Meeting US Dept. of State 06 Apr 2022
Australia announces major weapons upgrade amid tensions with China in Indo-Pacific Press TV 05 Apr 2022 -- The Australian government has approved a $2.6-billion plan to accelerate the acquisition of advanced US strike capabilities as part of a major weapons upgrade for the country's armed forces, amid heightened tensions between Canberra and Beijing in the Indo-Pacific region.
FACT SHEET: Implementation of the Australia - United Kingdom - United States Partnership (AUKUS) The White House 05 Apr 2022
AUKUS Leaders' Level Statement The White House 05 Apr 2022
Statement - AIR 7003 Australia DOD 04 Apr 2022 -- Defence rejects criticisms regarding the cancellation of AIR 7003 made in The Australian article 'Mid-2020s pose our gravest risk since WWII' by Peter Jennings.
Australia Signs Economic Accord with India VOA 04 Apr 2022 -- A historic deal between India and Australia has many business leaders cheering, but industries left out of the agreement are urging Canberra to continue negotiations.

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April 2022 - Australia Special Weapons News