June 2022 - Australia Special Weapons News

Australian Spy Chief Discusses Geopolitical Threats in First-Ever TV Interview VOA 30 Jun 2022 -- The head of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service, in a rare television interview, has outlined concerns about China's economic and military ambitions.
ADF joins world's largest international maritime exercise Australia DOD 30 Jun 2022 -- Approximately 1600 Australian Defence Force personnel have joined 26 international partners to undertake the world's largest international maritime exercise.
China A 'Military Threat' to Australia, According to New Poll VOA 29 Jun 2022 -- A vast majority of Australians now see China as a military threat to their country, according to a respected Sydney-based research organization. Russia's war in Ukraine has also been identified as a major security concern in a recently released survey by the Lowy Institute that says Australians are worried about Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the potential for conflict between China and Taiwan.
Exercise Pitch Black returns to the top end Australia DOD 29 Jun 2022 -- Exercise Pitch Black will once again return to the Top End this year, with Australian and international military aircraft training over the Northern Territory from 19 August until 8 September.
New patrol boat has a home Australia DOD 29 Jun 2022 -- Navy's first Evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB), Australian Defence Vessel Cape Otway, was officially welcomed to its home port of Cairns on June 24.
Exercise Pitch Black returns to the Top End Australia DOD 29 Jun 2022 -- Australian and international military aircraft will once again return to the Northern Territory skies for Exercise Pitch Black from August 19 to September 8.
'Optimistic in the Extreme': Australia's Nuclear Submarines Under AUKUS Unlikely to Be Ready by 2030 Sputnik 29 Jun 2022 -- The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is reportedly set to start retiring its current fleet of Collins-class diesel-electric attack submarines before the end of this decade. Meanwhile, the first nuclear-powered submarines to be developed under the AUKUS arrangement aren't expected before 2040, stoking concerns of a "capability gap".
PM meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: 29 June 2022 Gov.UK 29 Jun 2022 -- Prime Minister Boris Johnson met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the NATO Summit in Madrid today.
FM urges politicians refrain from making irresponsible remarks after Aussie PM warns China to learn from Putin's 'strategic failure' Global Times 28 Jun 2022 -- In response to a question over Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese' warning against China to learn from Russian President Vladimir Putin's "strategic failure," a spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry at a regular press briefing on Tuesday urged certain politicians to refrain from making irresponsible remarks, reiterating there is no comparison between Ukraine and the island of Taiwan given that the latter is not a sovereign state.
Gunners on target Australia DOD 28 Jun 2022 -- Gunners, forward observers and command post officers of the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (4 Regt) were put through their paces on one of the most explosive and dynamic artillery exercises.
Relationship with South Korea reinforced Australia DOD 28 Jun 2022 -- Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta and its ship's company received a warm welcome to Busan, South Korea recently.
Soldiers flex lethal muscle Australia DOD 27 Jun 2022 -- Clandestine, agile and lethal are the words to describe the soldiers executing live fire anti-armour stalks using direct fire support weapons (DFSW) during Exercise Kapyong Warrior.
Soldiers train for urban warfare Australia DOD 27 Jun 2022 -- Soldiers from 8th/9th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (8/9 RAR), have been training to prepare for operations in densely populated cities and urban centres.
Australian Prime Minister Heads to NATO Talks in Spain VOA 27 Jun 2022 -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is flying to Spain to attend this year's NATO meeting as leaders attempt to tackle the growing threat posed by global instability.
Australia Launches Campaign to Address High COVID-19 Numbers VOA 25 Jun 2022 -- Australia has begun urging Australians to get third or fourth COVID-19 vaccines in a bid to bring down alarming rates of infection and death. Around 30,000 new infections are reported each day in a country where most COVID-19 controls have been removed.
Secretary Blinken's Call with Australian Foreign Minister Wong US Dept. of State 25 Jun 2022
US, UK, Japan, Australia, New Zealand form Pacific group to counter China Press TV 25 Jun 2022 -- The US, the UK, Japan, Australia and New Zealand have launched an informal group aimed at expanding economic and diplomatic ties with tiny Pacific island nations in a move to challenge China's regional influence.
Statement by Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States on the Establishment of the Partners in the Blue Pacific (PBP) The White House 24 Jun 2022
RAAF concludes air warfare instructor course Australia DOD 24 Jun 2022 -- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has concluded its third biennial Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC), following a six-month long series of exercises throughout Australia.
AACAP kicks off in its 25th year Australia DOD 24 Jun 2022 -- This year the Australian Army celebrates its 25th year of providing support to remote First Nations communities through the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Programme (AACAP).
Additional helicopters give Defence capability a lift Australia DOD 24 Jun 2022 -- Defence's aviation capability has been given a lift with the arrival of two CH-47F Chinooks at RAAF Base Townsville.
Storm passes to reveal gems of instructors Australia DOD 24 Jun 2022 -- The largest Royal Australian Air Force Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC) to date, which culminated in Exercise Diamond Storm 2022, has concluded in the Northern Territory.
Lightning strikes friend and foe in Storm Australia DOD 24 Jun 2022 -- The 'enemy' enjoyed an advantage on Exercise Diamond Storm 22, with No. 75 Squadron flying F-35A Lightning II aircraft from RAAF Base Tindal in an adversary role.
Sailors build friendships at sea and on land Australia DOD 23 Jun 2022 -- HMAS Ararat earlier this month completed a joint maritime patrol with Republic of Fiji Navy (RFN) Guardian-class patrol boat RFNS Savenaca.
Australia - AGM-88E2 AARGM E2 Missiles DSCA 21 Jun 2022 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia of AGM-88E2 AARGM E2 Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $94 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.
Australia Urged to Intervene in Long-Running Wikileaks Extradition Case VOA 21 Jun 2022 -- Lawyers for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange are urging the Australian government to do more to gain the release of the Queensland-born activist. Assange is to be extradited from Britain to the United States to face espionage charges, in a move approved by the British government late last week.
F-35A capability bolstered with new arrivals Australia DOD 21 Jun 2022 -- The Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) fleet of F-35A Lightning II aircraft continues to increase, with two more aircraft arriving at RAAF Base Williamtown in May.
ADF personnel arrive in Vietnam for Pacific Partnership Australia DOD 21 Jun 2022 -- A contingent of specialist Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have arrived in Vietnam to participate in Pacific Partnership 2022.
Amphibious capabilities enhanced Australia DOD 20 Jun 2022 -- The amphibious Exercise Sea Explorer 2022 has come to an end.
Air Force's first fifth-generation fighter combat instructors Australia DOD 20 Jun 2022 -- Each Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC) includes a Fighter Combat Instructor (FCI) course, which debuted for the F-35A Lightning II this year.
Australia Lifts One of Last COVID-19 Public Health Mandates VOA 17 Jun 2022 -- For many Australians, face masks are among the most visible symbols of the pandemic.
Top End Storm challenges instructors Australia DOD 17 Jun 2022 -- For a handful of aviators at Exercise Diamond Storm 22, the delicate practice of air-to-air refuelling at 21,000 feet is one of the more familiar moments of their day.
Australia Intensifies Diplomatic Offensive to Counter China in the Pacific VOA 16 Jun 2022 -- Australia's new foreign minister, Penny Wong, has traveled to New Zealand as the Canberra government intensifies its efforts to counter China's growing security and trade ambitions in the Pacific region. Australia is promising its regional neighbors stronger action to combat climate change.
Eyes in the sky for Exercise Vigilant Scimitar Australia DOD 16 Jun 2022 -- The Royal Australian Air Force's No. 44 Wing deployed a mobile air operations team, including a transportable air operations tower, to provide safe integration of military and civil flying operations during Exercise Vigilant Scimitar 2022.
Today's forecast: steel rain on Exercise Barce Australia DOD 16 Jun 2022 -- Gunners from the 1st Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, sent an abundance of munitions down range during Exercise Barce, with the gun batteries honing small team skills to prosecute targets quickly.
Night flights finish for Exercise Diamond Storm Australia DOD 15 Jun 2022 -- Over the last two weeks, Air Force aviators successfully completed the day and night flying elements of Exercise Diamond Storm from RAAF Bases Darwin and Tindal, with the last night-time mission planned for the evening of June 16.
Membership of a political party 'cannot be grounds for arrest' UN group says Radio Free Asia 15 Jun 2022 -- The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) has criticized the case against a Vietnamese Australian facing a 12-year sentence as lacking grounds for arrest.
Five Nations Revive 51-year-old Security Pact Amid China Threat VOA 14 Jun 2022 -- Britain and four Asian members of the Commonwealth have announced efforts to expand and re-energize the Five Powers Defense Arrangements (FPDA), a 51-year-old series of mutual assistance agreements embracing the U.K, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand and Australia.
Australia Vows to Continue to Monitor South China Sea After Military Close Encounter VOA 14 Jun 2022 -- Australia Defense Minister Richard Marles says Australia will continue to exercise its right of passage through the South China Sea despite opposition from China.
Full steam ahead for Royal Australian Navy deployments Australia DOD 13 Jun 2022 -- Five Royal Australian Navy ships will set sail from Australia over the next three weeks for regional presence deployments throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia urged to show real actions to reset China ties amid confusing messages at key security meeting Global Times 13 Jun 2022 -- Only one day after alleging that "China's military build-ups" would cause inevitable upgrade of military capabilities of its neighbors in his speech at the 19th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Australia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles met on Sunday with China's State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe who is also attending the event, a first time for three years, which Australian local media hailed as a sign of breaking a two-year diplomatic stalemate between the two countries and marking a first step toward improved bilateral relations.
ADF election support to PNG Australia DOD 12 Jun 2022 -- Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel have touched down in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to support the country's national elections.
United States-Japan-Australia Trilateral Defense Ministers Meeting (TDMM 2022 Joint Vision Statement) DoD 11 Jun 2022 -- Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kishi Nobuo, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, convened a Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting in Singapore on June 11 during the 19th International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Asia Security Summit (2022 Shangri-La Dialogue) in Singapore. This was the tenth meeting among the defense leaders of the three nations.
Australia agrees payout to end France submarine spat Press TV 11 Jun 2022 -- Australia has announced it will pay a substantial amount of compensation to the French shipbuilder Naval Group following Canberra's controversial decision to scrap a submarine contract with France which soured relations between the two countries for almost a year.
Australia Pays Compensation to France for Scrapped Diesel Submarine Deal VOA 11 Jun 2022 -- The Australian government will pay the French shipbuilder Naval Group US$558 million in compensation after a controversial decision to scrap a lucrative submarine contract. It was terminated after Australia last year signed a security alliance with the United States and Britain, which gave Canberra a huge defense upgrade.
Naval Group Settlement Prime Minister of Australia 11 Jun 2022 -- "The Australian Government has finalised negotiations with Naval Group to conclude the Attack class submarine program. (...) We have reached a fair and equitable settlement of €555 million (around $830 million) with Naval Group."
Internal Tensions Resolved in Pacific's Main Political Forum VOA 10 Jun 2022 -- Pacific Island leaders have agreed a deal that should prevent the region's main body from falling apart because of tensions between members. Australia - a key regional power - has said the Pacific Islands Forum is the "architecture" allowing the region to manage "both internal and external issues."
Australian High Court Rules Government Cannot Strip Citizenship of Dual Nationals Suspected of Terrorism VOA 09 Jun 2022 -- Australia's High Court Wednesday struck down the power of the country's government to strip the Australian citizenship of dual nationals suspected of affiliation with international terrorist groups.
Joint India-Australia maritime surveillance activity underway in Indian Ocean region Australia DOD 08 Jun 2022 -- A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft has deployed to India under a combined India-Australia maritime surveillance initiative.
Cavalry turns up the heat to prepare for deployment Australia DOD 08 Jun 2022 -- Troopers from 3rd Brigade's 2nd Cavalry Regiment turned up the heat during "high explosives week" at Townsville field training area in preparation for their Rifle Company Butterworth rotation in Malaysia.
Forces combine in lead-up to Rimpac Australia DOD 08 Jun 2022 -- Rehearsing urban clearance drills like a well-oiled machine, soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1 RAR) and His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) Tonga have been perfecting their skills and company cohesion in the lead-up to Exercise Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac).
Australia to 'Review' 99-Year Lease of Darwin Port to Chinese Company, PM Albanese Says Sputnik 08 Jun 2022 -- A previous review in 2016 into the Darwin port deal led by Australia's then defence secretary Dennis Richardson found concerns over Chinese company's leasing of the port as "absurd" and "alarmist". Morrison claimed in the lead up to the federal election this year that the lease deal was still "under review".
'Threatened Sovereignty': China Slams Australia for Flying P-8 Spy Plane Over Paracel Islands Sputnik 07 Jun 2022 -- In a release dated 5 June, Australia's Defence Department noted that its P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft had been "intercepted" by a Chinese J-16 fighter jet on 26 May, while carrying out "routine maritime surveillance activity in international airspace in the South China Sea".
China Warns Australia to Stop Military Provocations in South China Sea Sputnik 07 Jun 2022 -- China has warned Australia to cease dangerous provocations near its borders, Chinese Defence MInistry spokesman Tan Kefei said on Tuesday, after an Australian warplane was intercepted collecting intelligence above a disputed territory in the South China Sea.
China warns Australia to stop 'dangerous' maneuvers in S China Sea after aircraft interception Press TV 07 Jun 2022 -- China says its military intercepted Australian military aircraft in the South China Sea and "drove it away" as the aircraft threatened the country's sovereignty and security.
US rallies Canada, Australia for close-in recon on China; 'PLA could do similar to them' as countermeasure Global Times 07 Jun 2022 -- With the participation of Australia and Canada, the US-led Five Eyes alliance has conducted a new trick to provoke China and test the resolve of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) by carrying out aerial close-in reconnaissance near China, analysts said on Tuesday, with data showing dozens of such flights were conducted in the East China Sea and the South China Sea recently.
PLA warns away Australian spy plane for close airspace trespass in China's Xisha Global Times 07 Jun 2022 -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) warned away an Australian spy plane when it recently attempted to trespass into Chinese airspace of the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea for close-in reconnaissance, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Tuesday, debunking Australia's claim that a PLA warplane intercepted the Australian aircraft and threatened the safety of its crew.
Chinese defense spokesperson responds to Australia's hype of China-Australia military aircraft encounter PLA Daily 07 Jun 2022 -- On June 7, 2022, Senior Colonel Tan Kefei, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense (MND), responded to the reporter's question on the recent China-Australia military aircraft encounter.
Tasmanian Defence industry in the spotlight Australia DOD 07 Jun 2022 -- In a first, foreign military officials who are part of the Service Attaches and Advisors Group (SAAG), visited Defence industries in Tasmania from May 17-27.
King Air conducts air patrols in the Pacific Australia DOD 07 Jun 2022 -- A Royal Australian Air Force KA350 King Air and three pilots arrived in Honiara, Solomon Islands in early May, in support of Operation Solania 2022.
Fighting threats, real and imagined Australia DOD 07 Jun 2022 -- Soldiers will be able to operate vehicles not yet in service, and fight enemies they've never faced, thanks to incoming simulation upgrades powered partially by the engine behind hit video games such as Gears of War and Fortnite.
Secretary Blinken's Call with Australian Foreign Minister Wong US Dept. of State 07 Jun 2022
Australia protests to China after dangerous air intercept Radio Free Asia 06 Jun 2022 -- A Chinese fighter jet dangerously intercepted an Australian reconnaissance aircraft over the South China Sea last month, Australia's Department of Defence (DOD) said, but China's state media stated it was "Western countries" who were in the wrong.
Aircraft interception: China warns Canada, Australia it will not allow any country to infringe upon its sovereignty Press TV 06 Jun 2022 -- China has warned Canada and Australia to stop their provocations or face "severe consequences," after Ottawa and Canberra accused Chinese warplanes of intercepting their reconnaissance aircraft in the Pacific Ocean.
Battle group takes to the skies Australia DOD 06 Jun 2022 -- Combined aviation mission sets were the focus of Exercise Vigilant Scimitar this year.
Australia's Defence Minister Claims to Have 'Open Mind' Over Filling AUKUS-Created 'Capability Gap' Sputnik 06 Jun 2022 -- The previous government scrapped a contract with France's Naval Group last September, which would have given Canberra advanced diesel-electric submarines by the end of the decade. Instead, it opted for nuclear subs developed by Australia, the US and the UK under the AUKUS security arrangement.
New Australian PM pledges to help make Indonesia's G20 presidency, summit successful Radio Free Asia 06 Jun 2022 -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged Monday to help host country Indonesia make this year's G20 summit a success, including by attending the gathering, which controversially has both the Russian and Ukrainian presidents on the guest list.
Albanese to Maintain Australia's Strong Stance on China VOA 05 Jun 2022 -- Analysts say Australia's relationship with China is unlikely to improve under the new left-wing government in Canberra, although they say a decision by Pacific Island nations to resist a security pact with Beijing has signaled a strategic shift in regional dynamics for Canberra and the Quad, an informal grouping of the U.S., Japan, India and Australia.
PLA aircraft deal with Canadian, Australian provocative close-in recon in East and South China Seas Global Times 05 Jun 2022 -- Warplanes of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) recently dealt with close-in reconnaissance and provocative activities by surveillance planes from Canada and Australia on China in the East China Sea and South China Sea respectively, Chinese sources and analysts said on Sunday.
Chinese interception of P-8A Poseidon on 26 May 2022 Australia DOD 05 Jun 2022 -- Defence advises that on 26 May 2022, a RAAF P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft was intercepted by a Chinese J-16 fighter aircraft during a routine maritime surveillance activity in international airspace in the South China Sea region.
Restarting China-Australia relations requires concrete actions: Chinese FM People's Daily 04 Jun 2022 -- There is no "autopilot mode" for improving China-Australia relations, and restarting bilateral ties requires concrete actions, visiting Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said here Friday.
In regional push to counter China, new Australian PM to visit Indonesia Radio Free Asia 03 Jun 2022 -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to neighboring Indonesia this weekend as the new government in Canberra tries to gather regional allies in efforts to counter China's increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.
New Australian Leader to Travel to Indonesia VOA 03 Jun 2022 -- New Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will travel to Indonesia on Sunday, where trade and security will be high on the agenda. His trip comes as Australian foreign minister Penny Wong arrives in Tonga on Friday - part of the new government in Canberra's boosting of efforts to counter China's growing ambitions in the Pacific.

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June 2022 - Australia Special Weapons News