Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government is committed to strengthening the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), and will be investing $100.9 million of operating funding in 2014/2015. “This significant investment in our Defence Force, combined with the savings and reinvestment achieved t
On the eve of Anzac Day commemorations, Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Darwin seized and destroyed more than one tonne of heroin. The record 1032 kilograms of heroin was discovered on board a dhow in the Indian Ocean, approximately 27 nautical miles east of Mombasa, Kenya. Late on the 23rd Apr
On Saturday 26 April the master of a dhow spoke of his relief after 6 armed pirates, who had taken his vessel and crew hostage, fled the scene after sightings of an EU Naval Force Spanish maritime patrol and reconnaissance (MPRA) aircraft. The master confirmed his ordeal to members of the Boarding
During a port visit to Djibouti, Rear Admiral Jürgen zur Mühlen, met with the Chinese Military Attaché to Djibouti, Ji Mingzhou, on board the EU Naval Force flagship FGS Brandenburg. During the meeting they discussed the key issues related to counter piracy off the Horn of Africa and the successfu
NUSHIP Canberra’s Ship Company reached a significant milestone last week, as they marched together for the first time as a unit in the Sydney City Anzac Day Parade. Canberra’s tri-service contingent made up of Navy, Army and Air Force personnel marched proudly as thousands of onlookers showed thei
On Wednesday 23 April the German Secretary of Defence, Ursula von der Leyen, visited the EU Naval Force flagship, FGS Brandenburg during the German warship’s port visit to Djibouti. In what was her first visit to the German Navy since her inauguration, she met the troops from the European Union’s co
Officers and Sailors of HMAS Stuart have gathered on the ship’s flight deck for a memorial service to remember the 725 lives lost in a battle on the 19th November 1941. As Stuart passed near the final resting place of HMAS Sydney (II) and HSK Kormoran, members of ship’s company remembered the battle
The first patrol boat gifted to the Sri Lanka Navy by Australia arrived at the Port of Colombo on April 24th, 2014. It was ceremonially welcomed in accordance with naval traditions on arrival. Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Robyn Mudie and Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy
Australia will acquire another 58 F-35A Lightning II aircraft in a major boost to the nation’s air combat capability, Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced in Canberra on April 23. The additional aircraft will lift the total number of F-35As Australia will acquire to 72, after a previous decision t
HMAS Stirling is preparing for the biggest ANZAC Day yet in the 99th year since the Gallipoli campaign. Personnel from HMAS Stirling, Fleet Base West units and lodger units will be honouring the special day in locations across Western Australia. Personnel have been practising their drill in the le
Commander Lin Wan of the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLA-N) was farewelled from HMAS Success on 20 April following a successful 12-day placement as part of Operation Southern Indian Ocean. Commander Wan joined Success as a Liaison Officer for the Chinese vessels searching as part of the interna
On Sunday, the crew of HMA Ships’ Paluma and Mermaid celebrated Easter Sunday at anchor off Jar Island, Vansittart Bay, Western Australia. It has been nearly 195 years since CMDR Phillip Parker King, RN, and His Britannic Majesty’s Cutter Mermaid first surveyed and documented Vansittart Bay and its
The Irish Naval Service Ship LÉ ROISÍN detained a Spanish registered fishing vessel at 4 pm on April 18th, for alleged breaches of fishing regulations. The fishing vessel was detained approximately one hundred nautical miles south west of Mizen Head and was due for arrival into Castletownbere on S
Whilst conducting counter-piracy operations off the Horn of Africa different nations from different task forces often meet. In this case the US supply ship USNS Joshua Humphreys from Task Force 53 provided two flagships with fuel. FGS Brandenburg flagship of the EU Naval Force Somalia Operation At
