The Republic of Fiji Navy ship Kikau will use the sea phase of Kakadu 2018 to work alongside regional partners including Australia and Tonga to boost joint capability. This is the first time that the Fijian Navy has participated in the bi-annual Kakadu regional exercise, although it has previously a
Australia plans to establish a center for strategic analysis of information to help strengthen maritime domain awareness and provide security alerts and advice for Pacific security agencies. The Pacific Fusion Centre was announced by Marise Payne, Australian foreign affairs minister, during the Paci
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) fleet of simulation trainers is planned to undergo a major upgrade and expansion, the country’s defense minister said. Christopher Pyne, Minister for Defense, announced on August 31 the investment worth more than A$80 million. A new bridge simulation trainer will be
Australian shipbuilder ASC has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the country’s Defence Science and Technology (DST) to further collaborate in the submarine-related technologies. Commenting on the new agreement, Stuart Whiley, ASC CEO, said: “I’m delighted to secure ASC’s continued collab
The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba has returned to its homeport of Fleet Base West, Rockingham, after the ship’s longest deployment to date, contributing to seven task groups in seven months. Commanding Officer, Commander Mitchell Livingstone, said Toowoomba achieve
Exercise Kakadu, the largest maritime drill off its kind in the Australian Northern Territory, is beginning today. Held biennially, Exercise Kakadu is a joint exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy and supported by the Royal Australian Air Force. More countries are attending this year than eve
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Stuart and oiler HMAS Sirius got underway from Fleet Base West on August 22 for several months of operations. Despite sailing together for the Australian-hosted exercise Kakadu 2018 which will be held off Darwin, both ships will have a very different schedule of ev
The US Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded Raytheon a $60 million contract modification for work on the delivery of torpedoes and related support services for the navies of the US and Taiwan. Half of the purchases under the contract are reserved for Taiwan, while 47 percent is for the US Navy with
Ships deployed as part of the Royal Australian Navy’s annual maritime task group Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2018 (IPE18) have returned to Australia following a three-month deployment to the Pacific. HMAS Adelaide docked in Townsville on August 23 to return embarked soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal
Ships deployed as part of the Royal Australian Navy’s Indo-Pacific Endeavour tour have concluded their final port visits before returning home later this week. HMA Ships Adelaide and Toowoomba visited the Solomon Islands’ capital Honiara, while HMAS Success visited Rabaul in Papua New Guinea, workin
The Australian defense industry minister has announced a request for information inviting companies to have their say on how marine support services should be delivered in the future. The RFI was issued for the Defence Marine Support Services (DMSS) program which includes services such as tugs for p
Royal Australian Navy’s Collins-class submarine HMAS Sheean returned home to Fleet Base West after almost three months of operations in the Indo-Pacific. The navy did not reveal which exercises the submarine joined and how many port visits the crew made. The only known port visit was the one to Mala
Forward-deployed ships from the US Navy’s Ronald Reagan carrier strike group (CSG) started bilateral training with Japan Maritime Self Defense destroyer JS Kirishima on August 14. The exercise is also joined by Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) personnel from the Commander, Escort Division (
Australia’s future P-8A Poseidon pilots are set to benefit from a new simulator and training systems facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh after it was officially handed over to the defense department on August 17. Australian defense minister Marise Payne said the advanced P-8A training system would bette
