The Royal Australian Navy has begun trials of a new corrosion-resistant coating that reduces the build-up of algae and barnacles on ship hydraulic components. HMAS Canberra, one of the Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock ships, is now testing the coating. Researchers from Swinburne Univers
Libyan Navy and Coast Guard personnel started a new phase of training, dubbed “Package 2”, with the Italian Navy in La Maddalena, Italy, on October 8. The training is conducted as part of the EU-led Mediterranean Sea migrant-response operation Sophia. A total of 69 personnel will be trained in this
The Royal Australian Navy tested a maritime version of the Portable Raman Improvised Explosive Detector (PRIED) prototype at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin on October 10. The technology was developed through a partnership between Queensland-based EPE and the Defence Innovation Hub. EPE signed a $1 millio
Austal USA, the US subsidiary of the Australian shipbuilder, has been awarded an additional $16.5 million contract for service work on one of US Navy’s Independence-class littoral combat ships. Specifically, the United States Department of Defence has awarded Austal USA $16,459,663 for a cost-plus-a
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Stuart and tanker HMAS Sirius wrapped up the two-day maritime exercise SINGAROO with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) corvettes RSS Valiant and Vigour. The exercise took place in waters off Singapore. The biennial exercise aimed to develop a better understandin
“The United States can help Pacific island nations with security needs,” US Navy Undersecretary Thomas B. Modly told reporters in Washington after finishing a trip through the island nations of Oceania. The trip involved stops in Kiribati and its capital on the island of Tarawa. He also visited Papu
The Australian government announced on October 4 the signing of an interim contract with BAE Systems Australia for the Royal Australian Navy’s Hunter-class frigate program. The Advanced Work Arrangement (AWA) will cover ongoing work on the $35 billion program, ahead of agreeing the head contract. Au
Construction works on the Royal Australian Navy’s new generation of offshore patrol vessels officially kicked off with a steel cutting ceremony on Wednesday. The steel cutting for the first of overall 12 vessels took place at Civmec’s Western Australia facility. Civmec will be responsible for buildi
Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Ballarat has returned to port with a rescued solo round-the-world yachtsman. Ballarat’s MH-60R ‘Romeo’ Seahawk helicopter recovered Irish national, Gregor McGuckin, from a French scientific research station on Amsterdam Island after he was transported there by Fren
The biennial Five Power Defence Arrangements exercise Bersama Lima is starting in the South Cina Sea on Tuesday. Involving ships, aircraft and personnel from Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, the exercise will include live fire and command post exercises over a two-week period.
Australia’s Defence Science and Technology (DST) research agency has teamed with L3 technologies to boost research on new technologies in undersea command and control systems, spectrum sensing and shaping, and cyber assurance. “The government is investing $80 billion in Australia’s future submarines
New Zealand’s Anzac-class frigate HMNZS Te Mana made a port call in Sandakan, Malaysia, marking the begin of the Southeast Asian leg of the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF) five-month engagement across the Asia-Pacific region. “Te Mana’s visits to Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam reflect the import
Australia is taking further steps to improve regional maritime security with an AUD5 million upgrade of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG’s) Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island. Wharf and shore-based infrastructure upgrades are to be undertaken by Fletcher Morobe Constructions Limited as part of the Australian
Italian Navy transport vessel Nave Caprera was used to smuggle cigarettes on the return trip from Libya where the ship was deployed in support of an EU migrant interdiction mission. The ship reportedly returned to the Italian Navy base Brindisi with over 700 kg of cigarettes on board. This was confi
