Australian Minister for Defence David Johnston opened the 2013 Pacific Conference at Darling Harbour yesterday after addressing defence and industry leaders. Senator Johnston said it was a fitting and unique opportunity to declare the conference open as the Navy celebrated its 100th anniversary of e
The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and Thales Australia have signed a strategic alliance to collaborate on a number of research programs aimed at strengthening Defence capability. The new alliance focuses on research and development of armaments, underwater systems and land syste
On Saturday 5 October, the counter piracy Force Commanders from Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the EU Naval Force and NATO met at sea off the Somali Coast on board the EU Naval Force flagship, HNLMS Johan de Witt. The aim of the meeting was to review the current and future situation concerning pira
The main radar tower for the first of Australia’s three Air Warfare Destroyers, Hobart, has been successfully lifted into position. Australian Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston confirmed progress on the Hobart was well advanced, with the Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) Alliance successfully li
HMAS Melbourne is well prepared for the job ahead after practising a fast rope insertion into the ship from an aircraft. The boarding party conducted the evolutions from 15 metres above a pitching flight deck, dressed in full boarding party kit consisting of ballistic vest, boarding party life jacke
Melbourne-based BMT Design & Technology (BMT), a subsidiary of BMT Group Ltd, has completed a study for the Commonwealth of Australia, to examine a range of options for the Life of Type Extension (LOTE) of a wide range of Defence Maritime Platforms. This included the entire surface fleet of the Roya
The Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) and BAE Systems Australia have entered into a new strategic alliance to enhance collaboration on defence technologies. The alliance will see the two organisations potentially work together on strategically significant areas such as submarines, c
Northrop Grumman Corporation is participating in the Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition in Sydney, where it will highlight its maritime security capabilities, including unmanned aircraft systems for maritime and coastal surveillance, marine navigation, radar and mine detection systems, a
On Tuesday 1 October 2013, Italian warship ITS Zeffiro conducted a Friendly Approach with a Yemeni dhow in the waters of the Gulf of Aden. ITS Zeffiro sent a Djiboutian linguist with the warship’s security team to the dhow in order to investigate the nature of the crew’s activities. The security tea
On Wednesday, 2 October 2013 eleven pirates were convicted in the Seychelles Supreme Court of committing acts of piracy and operating a pirate vessel between 7 – 11 May 2012. Their sentences ranged from 18 months to 16 years. The pirates had been apprehended by the Royal Netherlands Navy frigate, HN
Australian Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston today announced the entry of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet into Sydney Harbour for the International Fleet Review. Senator Johnston said the International Fleet Review was planned in partnership with the NSW Government and the City of Sydney a
Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract with Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Korea, for development and integration of combat management and radar systems on a new frigate for the Royal Thai Navy. The order amounts to MSEK 850. The contract comprises of combat management s
HMAS Melbourne conducted her first Replenishment At Sea (RAS) with Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA)Fort Victoria, taking on 300,000 litres of fuel in less than 60 minutes. The top-up of fuel allowed Melbourne to continue maritime patrols in the Arabian Sea in support of Combined Task Force 151 (CTF 151)
The exercise, which started on Monday in Jervis Bay, involves INS Sahyadri and People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Luhu-class destroyer Quindago. Aside to these two countries, ships from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Australia are also participating in the exercise scheduled to last until October
