Aussies boost long-range strike with $1.7B AUD buy of 200 Tomahawks, 60 AARGM-ERs

Aussies boost long-range strike with $1.7B AUD buy of 200 Tomahawks, 60 AARGM-ERs
Aussies boost long-range strike with $1.7B AUD buy of 200 Tomahawks, 60 AARGM-ERs

“Importantly, one of the first decisions of the Albanese Labor government after the Defense Strategic Review was to allocate $4.1 billion for long-range strike and missile manufacturing over the next four years,” Pat Conroy, defense industry minister, said.

As Australia weighs future fleet, international shipbuilders make their pitches

As Australia weighs future fleet, international shipbuilders make their pitches
As Australia weighs future fleet, international shipbuilders make their pitches

Four companies have so far announced options for what could be a larger fleet of smaller vessels.

New Zealand’s National Security Strategy: Greater regional presence, Aussie ties, and questions

New Zealand’s National Security Strategy: Greater regional presence, Aussie ties, and questions
New Zealand’s National Security Strategy: Greater regional presence, Aussie ties, and questions

“These documents represent a clear statement of intent by the New Zealand Government to step up its foreign policy and military efforts in the Pacific,” one analyst told Breaking Defense.

Malabar exercise brings India to the Pacific – along with Aussie F-35s, P-8s

Malabar exercise brings India to the Pacific – along with Aussie F-35s, P-8s
Malabar exercise brings India to the Pacific – along with Aussie F-35s, P-8s

The 10-day exercise brought Vice Adm. Dinesh Tripathi of the Indian Navy from India’s western coast to Papua New Guinea, via the Solomon Islands and on to Sydney, a rare outing for the Indian admiral who had only visited the Pacific once in 2018.

Australia’s DroneShield ‘actively targeting’ Middle East presence as counter-UAS demand balloons: CEO

Australia’s DroneShield ‘actively targeting’ Middle East presence as counter-UAS demand balloons: CEO
Australia’s DroneShield ‘actively targeting’ Middle East presence as counter-UAS demand balloons: CEO

With the war in Ukraine highlighting the effectiveness of drone warfare and counter-drone systems, the Middle East makes for a natural market, an outside expert said.

All domain C2, data sharing key for Talisman Sabre: US 3-star

All domain C2, data sharing key for Talisman Sabre: US 3-star
All domain C2, data sharing key for Talisman Sabre: US 3-star

The new Combined Joint Network Operations Security Center (CJ-NOSC) “gives us the ability [to] collaborate along with our partners, which hasn’t existed before,” US Lt. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commander of Army I Corps, told Breaking Defense.

Hanwha defeats Rheinmetall for $5-7 billion Aussie infantry fighting vehicle deal

Hanwha defeats Rheinmetall for $5-7 billion Aussie infantry fighting vehicle deal
Hanwha defeats Rheinmetall for $5-7 billion Aussie infantry fighting vehicle deal

The contract award is a major win for Hanwha — but is also much smaller than originally envisioned.

All-Domain operations key focus of vast Aussie Talisman Sabre exercise

All-Domain operations key focus of vast Aussie Talisman Sabre exercise
All-Domain operations key focus of vast Aussie Talisman Sabre exercise

“We’ve just seen an awesome demonstration of firepower here, from different weapons platforms, from different nations. But importantly, all used the same battlefield command and Strategy Center to aim for those targets,” Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton, the Australian Defence Force’s chief of joint operations, said.

Aussies tap Lockheed for 20 C-130s for AUD $9.8B, boosting reach, flexibility

Aussies tap Lockheed for 20 C-130s for AUD $9.8B, boosting reach, flexibility
Aussies tap Lockheed for 20 C-130s for AUD $9.8B, boosting reach, flexibility

“They’ve got better electronic warfare self protection, they’ve got better performance and they’ve got stronger airframes,” said defense procurement minister Pat Conroy about the C-130Js. “So, while it’s got the same name, it’s a better aircraft.”

UK official sees ‘unique’ partnership chances for next-gen fighter

UK official sees ‘unique’ partnership chances for next-gen fighter
UK official sees ‘unique’ partnership chances for next-gen fighter

“I think it’s a richness of our collective response that we are able to develop what might appear on the surface to be competitive solutions, whether that’s F-35, NGAD, the Franco German cooperation, or our program,” said Richard Berthon, the UK Ministry of Defence’s Director of Future Combat Air.

‘Deepening’ Russia-China partnership ‘to stay for the foreseeable future,’ Japanese diplomat warns

‘Deepening’ Russia-China partnership ‘to stay for the foreseeable future,’ Japanese diplomat warns
‘Deepening’ Russia-China partnership ‘to stay for the foreseeable future,’ Japanese diplomat warns

Tamaki Tsukada, chargé d’affaires at the embassy of Japan to the US, downplayed the tussle over a Pacific NATO office but said Indo-Pacific democracies and Western nations must tighten their own ties.

Germany approves $769M weapons package for Ukraine, clears huge Boxer deal with Australia

Germany approves $769M weapons package for Ukraine, clears huge Boxer deal with Australia
Germany approves $769M weapons package for Ukraine, clears huge Boxer deal with Australia

“We are proceeding [with additional funding] because we are convinced it is necessary and the only right thing to do is support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” said Boris Pistorius, Germany’s minister of defense.

Critics slam Aussie ‘brutal blow’ to whack $1.2B on space spending

Critics slam Aussie ‘brutal blow’ to whack $1.2B on space spending
Critics slam Aussie ‘brutal blow’ to whack $1.2B on space spending

The Defence Strategic Review called for a “whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach to guide the development of the space domain.” But, the Space Industry Association of Australia said, “leadership is missing on Australia’s national space priorities and ambitions.”

China strikes back against decoupling, restricts two rare earth minerals

China strikes back against decoupling, restricts two rare earth minerals
China strikes back against decoupling, restricts two rare earth minerals

“In order to safeguard national security and interests, with the approval of the State Council, it is decided to implement export controls on items related to gallium and germanium,” China’s Ministry of Commerce and its General Administration of Customs (GAC) said July 3 in a joint statement.