Articles

Nick Bisley and Benjamin Schreer: China has become the most formidable challenge to Asia’s regional order, and to Australia’s stake in that order, since the days of Japanese imperialism. It’s not just its growing economic and military power but increasingly Beijing is experimenting with order building and it’s plainly trying to exert political influence beyond its borders.

China’s military issued “robust” challenges to three Australian warships as they travelled through the South China Sea to Vietnam earlier this month. Defence sources...

Aussie steel makers Bisalloy and BlueScope have had yet another win after a new contract was signed with Naval Group Australia to produce up to 250 tonnes of specialised steel. The steel produced will be tested to determine whether it meets the specification for the pressure hull of our new Future Submarines, which is an essential safety requirement.

David Johnston has been appointed as the first Australian Defence Export Advocate. This role will provide international advocacy on behalf of local defence industry to help secure export sales and contracts. The Minister for Defence Industry, Christopher Pyne, congratulated Mr Johnston on his appointment and looked forward to working closely with him to help secure export successes for Australia’s defence industry.

Royal Australian Navy’s HMA Ships Anzac, Toowoomba and Success have completed concurrent port visits to Malaysia and the Philippines, as part of a three month South East Asia deployment.

With the forthcoming opening of the Sir John Monash Centre in northern France next week by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, and the second visit to Australia of a French President, Emmanuel Macron, in early May, Nicole Forrest Green speaks with France’s Chief of Navy, Admiral Christophe Prazuck in Paris.

As part of Australia's strong commitment to regional maritime security, Australia will gift Timor-Leste two new patrol boats following the finalisation of the shipbuilding...

Joanne Wallis: The report this week that China is in talks to build a military base in Vanuatu has generated consternation in Australia. Regardless of whether the report was accurate, it’s undeniable that China has significantly increased its aid to, and engagement with, the Pacific Islands.

Alastair Cooper: The need for Australia to have a navy (indeed an integrated defence force) to protect its supply routes is worth examining as part of a broader discussion about the nation’s changing strategic circumstances. There are contingencies in which ‘fortress Australia’ would no longer work. Modern global trading and communications systems mean that Australia has vulnerabilities that are located well north of the archipelago.

By Richard Menhinick* It’s time for Australia’s leaders to wean themselves off the overused and increasingly meaningless expression, ‘rules-based global order’. Australia’s strategic policy establishment is captured by the allure of this phrase.