December 2024 - Australia Special Weapons News

Joint Statement from the Quad Foreign Ministers Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Quad Cooperation US Dept. of State 30 Dec 2024 -- The following is the joint statement released by the Secretary of State of the United States of America and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, India, and Japan. The Quad is a diplomatic network of four countries committed to supporting a free and open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.
Albanese Government accelerates Defence capability delivery as part of commitment to safer Australia Australia DOD 30 Dec 2024 -- The delivery of the final nine of Australia's fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft underscores the Albanese Government's commitment to keeping Australia safe by ensuring the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has what it needs to defend our nation.
Training handover marks end of an era Australia DOD 27 Dec 2024 -- After training 16,000 personnel over 13 years, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group's (CASG) Land 121 team will hand over training responsibilities to the Army Logistic Training Centre and Land Combat College in January.
ADV Reliant to visit Kiribati, Tonga and Solomon Islands Australia DOD 23 Dec 2024 -- Australia's Pacific Support Vessel, Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant, has departed Brisbane on its first deployment of 2025.
Joint statement Prime Minister of Australia 21 Dec 2024 -- "There is a deep reservoir of friendship and solidarity between the Timorese and Australian people. Our governments are working closely together to further our bilateral ties and our shared interest in a peaceful, stable and prosperous region. Befitting the close relationship between our countries, Australia and Timor-Leste are pleased to announce important new initiatives to support Timor-Leste's economic development."
No country should treat Pacific Island countries as backyard: FM Global Times 21 Dec 2024 -- China maintains that when countries develop relations with Pacific Island countries, it is essential to let Pacific Island countries make their own decisions, put development first, and stay open and inclusive. No country should view Pacific Island countries as their "backyard," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Friday.
Australia's Support for Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Expansion Australia DFAT 20 Dec 2024 -- On 20 December 2024, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, and the Hon Jeremiah Manele MP, Prime Minister of Solomon Islands, released a Joint Statement announcing that Australia would a package of support to grow the size and capability of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF).
Iran dismisses UK, Australia 'baseless' claims, urges end to interventions in West Asia Press TV 20 Dec 2024 -- The spokesman for the Iranian Foreign Ministry has rejected as "baseless, unrealistic, and irrelevant" the recent claims made by the UK and Australia on the Islamic Republic.

Delivering a plan for continuous Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment in Australia

Australia DOD

Operation Okra ceases after 10 years of ADF support Australia DOD 20 Dec 2024 -- Operation Okra, the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to the international coalition against Daesh in Iraq and Syria, has concluded with the remaining ADF personnel returning home this month.
ADF supports Vanuatu earthquake response Australia DOD 20 Dec 2024 -- RAAF Globemaster III and C-130J Hercules aircraft have returned 284 Australian citizens and approved foreign nationals from Vanuatu in the wake of the Port Vila earthquake on December 17.
Australia takes leading role in Middle East maritime security Australia DOD 20 Dec 2024 -- As Houthi attacks on shipping intensified in the Red Sea, Australia stepped up its commitment to maritime security, assuming command of Combined Task Force 153 (CTF 153) on October 1.
Final F-35A aircraft delivered Australia DOD 19 Dec 2024 -- The final nine of Australia's full fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft have arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown in New South Wales, marking a significant milestone in Air Force's ability to defend our nation.
Albanese Government to enhance infrastructure and connectivity in Rockingham Australia DOD 18 Dec 2024 -- The Albanese and Cook Labor Governments will deliver a series of studies to inform future infrastructure and transport requirements around HMAS Stirling in Rockingham, Western Australia.
Australian Government and industry partners reach SSN AUKUS agreement BAE Systems 17 Dec 2024 -- The Australian and UK Governments have announced a significant milestone between the Australian Submarine Agency (ASA) and industry partners that will support the delivery of the SSN AUKUS fleet of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines for the Royal Australian Navy.
Australia's deals with Pacific nations aim to curb China's influence VOA 17 Dec 2024 -- Australia signed two multi-million dollar deals with Nauru and Papua New Guinea last week that analysts say will help Canberra counter China's growing influence in the Pacific.
Joint Statement from Foreign Ministers Condemning DPRK-Russia Cooperation European External Action Service (EEAS) 16 Dec 2024 -- The text of the following statement was released by the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the High Representative of the European Union.
Statement on Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN) UK FCDO 16 Dec 2024 -- Statement follows 16 December 2024 AUKMIN meeting between the UK Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary and the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence.
14th Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations Australia DOD 15 Dec 2024 -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong will today travel to the United Kingdom to attend the Australia-UK Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN).
Statement on behalf of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (CANZ) At the Sixty-Sixth Meeting of The Executive Council Australia DFAT 14 Dec 2024 -- Canada, Australia, and New Zealand thank you for calling this meeting and the Director-General for his briefing. The matter of Syria and possible remaining chemical weapons is of top importance to our governments.
Collins class sustainment listed as a Product Of Concern Australia DOD 13 Dec 2024 -- Following a recommendation from Defence, Collins class submarine sustainment has been listed as a Product of Concern to enable enhanced ministerial oversight of this critical capability.
Australia - Papua New Guinea Bilateral Security Agreement: Entry into Force Australia DFAT 12 Dec 2024 -- Today, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia and the Hon James Marape MP, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, announced the entry into force of the Agreement Between the Government of Australia and The Government of Papua New Guinea on a Framework for Closer Security Relations and released a Joint Statement.
Resupply missions underway for icy continent Australia DOD 11 Dec 2024 -- Defence has delivered much-needed supplies to help scientists in Antarctica discover the secrets behind prehistoric climate change.
Tomahawk missile a game-changer for Navy Australia DOD 11 Dec 2024 -- Australia has become only the third country in the world to acquire and fire a Tomahawk cruise missile.
Australia-Malaysia defence ministers' meeting Australia DOD 10 Dec 2024 -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Hon Richard Marles MP, will host the Malaysian Minister of Defence, Mohamed Khaled Nordin, for the fourth Malaysia-Australia High Level Committee today in Melbourne.
Navy conducts successful firing of Tomahawk cruise missile Australia DOD 10 Dec 2024 -- The Royal Australian Navy has achieved a major milestone in realising an enhanced and lethal surface combatant fleet, with Australia becoming only the third country in the world to acquire and fire a Tomahawk cruise missile.
Growing & skilling Australia's submariner workforce Australia DOD 09 Dec 2024 -- The Albanese Government continues to invest in attracting and training the next generation of Navy Submariners in the Australian Defence Force, with work starting on a new training facility at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
Nauru-Australia Treaty Australia MFA 09 Dec 2024 -- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of Nauru, His Excellency David Waiau Ranibok Adeang MP, today signed the Nauru-Australia Treaty in Canberra.
Joint Statement From The Combined Space Operations Initiative Principals' Board Meeting in Italy to Advance Space Security DoD 06 Dec 2024 -- The Combined Space Operations (CSpO) Initiative Principals' Board met from December 3-5, 2024, in Florence, Italy. Senior representatives from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States gathered for the annual meeting.
Exercise brings Australia, Japan and United States closer together Australia DOD 06 Dec 2024 -- Australia will join Japan and the United States as a participant in Exercise Yama Sakura 87 for the second consecutive year, enhancing our interoperability and mutual defence capability.
Dual Indigenous names for Defence bases unveiled Australia DOD 06 Dec 2024 -- Defence demonstrated its commitment to First Nations peoples with the unveiling of dual base names on Wiradjuri country at RAAF Base Wagga and Blamey Barracks, Kapooka, as part of a dual naming pilot program.
Government progressing historic land-based maritime strike capabilities for the Australian Army Australia DOD 06 Dec 2024 -- The Albanese Government is rapidly pushing ahead to equip the Australian Army with a second long-range fires regiment.
Additional support for rare earths refining for a Future Made in Australia Prime Minister of Australia 06 Dec 2024 -- The Albanese Labor Government is delivering vital support to Australia's critical minerals sector by providing up to $475 million in additional finance to develop the Eneabba Rare Earths Refinery project in Western Australia.
Success in the Indo-Pacific Australia DOD 05 Dec 2024 -- Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE), Australia's flagship regional engagement activity, has come to a close with HMA Ships Adelaide and Stuart leaving Singapore for Darwin.
First AUKUS Defence Industry Vendor Qualification contracts awarded to Australian businesses Australia DOD 04 Dec 2024 -- The Albanese Government has awarded several contracts under a qualification process that paves the way for the Australian businesses to enter UK and US submarine supply chains, underscoring further progress in delivering the AUKUS program.
Trilateral cooperation in northern Australia Australia DOD 03 Dec 2024 -- During recent training in northern Australia, the Royal Australian Air Force operated an E-7A Wedgetail with an international crew comprising Royal Air Force, United States Air Force and United States Navy members, alongside Royal Australian Navy crew.

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December 2024 - Australia Special Weapons News