Hundreds of Australian jobs created in Offshore Patrol Vessel project
The Government has announced (Nov 2017) that Australia’s 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels will be designed and built under prime contractor Lürssen. The Offshore Patrol...
Charting Australia’s course in an increasingly illiberal world
By Nick Bisley*
Foreign policy white papers are strange creatures. As the past 14 years amply demonstrate, they’re not necessary for the conduct of effective...
White paper covers the key elements
By Paul Dibb*
The 2017 foreign policy white paper is a well-crafted document that covers the key elements of Australia’s foreign-policy outlook. In addition—unlike its...
White Paper prepares Australia for the many dangers ahead
By Jacinta Carroll*
Building a secure future for Australia starts with a strong national security strategy. With a focus on counterterrorism, organised crime and border...
‘Solution’ to build naval patrol vessels exposes ‘broken’ procurement system
By Nicholas Stuart*
In Defence terms, a $3.4 billion decision is a pittance, a mere bagatelle. Last week's stunning decision, however, splitting the build of our new patrol boats (now called "offshore patrol vessels") between two companies in two states simultaneously revealed how our politicians are capable of both sheer brilliance and utter incompetence.
New officers join fleet
After five months intensive training, Navy has graduated its newest group of officers from the Royal Australian Naval College, HMAS Creswell.
Commanding Officer Creswell, Captain...
Fleet Air Arm farewells Magnificent Machines
The S-70B-2 ‘Bravo’ Seahawk and AS350BA Squirrel helicopters have been formally retired from active Royal Australian Navy service in a ceremony at HMAS Albatross (Nov 2017). The Fleet Air Arm community, including retired flight crews and maintainers, joined Navy to farewell the helicopters that provided decades of dependable service. Putting defence above politics
A truly bipartisan approach to defence in Australia would create a new strategic and political paradigm, allowing sensible dialogue on security interests to underpin the making of the agreement and shifting the political focus to its implementation, David Fawcett writes. A bipartisan approach is the only way that our large and growing expenditure on defence will effectively bring both security in uncertain times and economic benefit to the nation. Foreign policy paper: dreams and nightmares
By Graeme Dobell*
Australia’s foreign policy white paper is a contrast study, both dark and light. Bright vistas of international opportunity are described beneath storm clouds of ‘political alienation and economic nationalism’. Here are both dreams and nightmares. Australian Naval Institute Annual General Meeting
The 2017 ANI AGM was held at the Australian Defence Force Academy on 23 November. Captain John Stavridis gave an excellent presentation on the...