Defence releases Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan
On what amounts to the final working day before Christmas, Defence has released its 2024 Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan and reaffirmed its commitment to continuous naval shipbuilding in Australia. The Plan outlines the Government’s planned investment of up to $159 billion over the next decade through the Integrated Investment Program (IIP) that will see a significant…
Australian government and industry sign SSN AUKUS Tasking Statement
The Australian Submarine Agency (ASA), BAE Systems Australia Ltd and ASC Pty Ltd have signed a Tasking Statement, a contractual agreement that supports the joint development of an SSN AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine build strategy, supply chain management plans and a workforce development strategy. The signing of the Tasking Statement was announced by the Australian and…
Defence down-selects two contenders for land-based maritime strike
Defence has confirmed it will select from two contenders to equip the Australian Army with a land-based maritime strike capability under Project LAND8113 Ph.2. It has said this will result in the Army fielding a second long-range fires regiment. Defence will conduct a competitive evaluation in 2025, it says. Defence will select from two options:…
Australian Space Agency selects ELO2 consortium to build lunar rover
The Australian Space Agency has selected the ELO2 consortium, led by Brisbane-based autonomy expert EPE, to build Australia’s first lunar rover in a $42 million program. NASA has contracted the Australian Space Agency to develop and deliver an Australian-made, semi-autonomous lunar rover to support its Artemis lunar exploration program. The so-called ‘Roo-ver’ has been selected…
Navy conducts successful firing of Tomahawk cruise missile
The Royal Australian Navy has achieved a major milestone with Australia becoming only the third country in the world to acquire and fire a Tomahawk cruise missile. HMAS Brisbane successfully fired a Tomahawk missile during a test and evaluation activity conducted off the west coast of the United States. With an extended range of up to…
Australia to review its R&D system
The Australian government has released its Terms of Reference for the Strategic Examination of R&D announced at the last budget in May this year. Australia has a very weak record of commercialising the fruits of its R&D, despite its researchers undertaking world-class and even world-leading research. The examination will be led by Chair Robyn Denholm,…
