This Month
Petrol panic flashes red light on Australia’s short supply of navy ships
The Middle East conflict has sharpened concerns about fuel supplies. Increasing stockpiles is necessary, but does not address the lack of coherent maritime strategy.
Don’t sell ‘iconic’ Defence land: Howard
Former prime minister John Howard has joined opposition to the Albanese government’s planned sale of historic military sites to raise billions of dollars.
Hormuz crisis exposes Australia’s shrinking warship fleet
Experts warn Australia’s warship fleet will shrink before new ships arrive, leaving the navy stretched as tensions rise in the Middle East and Indo-Pacific.
Unveiled: Defence’s new fleet of armed, solar-powered spy boats
The $126 million acquisition of 40 autonomous vessels will help the navy carry out more intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Australia considers military help for Gulf states
Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed the assistance, if provided, would help Persian Gulf countries repel Iranian missile and drone attacks.
February
British missiles to be tested in Australia in new defence deal
The Albanese government also paid more than $300 million to buy equipment for the first AUKUS submarines as Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy visits Britain.
January
Inside the secret weapons-making lair tucked away in Sydney
David Goodrich has done something unheard of – delivered a submarine program on time and on budget. And it all started at North Sydney Boys High School.
December 2025
This suburb is already bursting at the seams. Now AUKUS is coming
Western Australia’s Rockingham feels more like a coastal country town than outer suburbia, but the arrival of AUKUS could change everything.
Chinese defence ministry breaks silence on naval flotilla
Beijing says its naval exercises do not target any country after reports that Australia is monitoring the movements of a PLA Navy task group.
‘Completely supportive’: Marles receives Pentagon’s AUKUS review
News of the review triggered speculation that the Trump administration might push Australia to increase its defence spending or jettison AUKUS altogether.
Prime Defence real estate would sell to developers for billions
Inner Melbourne and Sydney sites, including bases in Mosman and Paddington, could be converted into housing to raise billions for the defence budget.
November 2025
Chinese ships highlight our vulnerability to growing aggression
We have forgotten what it feels like to face the visceral prospect of attack. Countries that cannot resist coercion will struggle to defend their interests.
Defence forces monitor Chinese flotilla
The vessels may be heading towards Australia, less than a year after a naval task group sparked alarm when it unexpectedly circumnavigated the country.
Defence construction surge a risk to other building projects
The commercial building sector, which only grows capacity slowly, has an enormous boost in defence to absorb. Something’s got to give.
‘Our greatest vulnerabilities’: Navy chief warns on sea lanes
A disruption to global shipping lanes could result in shortages of fuel and household goods within weeks, Australia’s navy chief has warned.
October 2025
The deal nobody wants to talk about while the PM’s in South Korea
An overdue ruling on South Korean defence giant Hanwha’s bid to double its stake in shipbuilder Austal may prove awkward for Anthony Albanese this week.
Trump reaffirms AUKUS but doubts linger on submarine timeline
Fears that the US president would pressure Australia to spend more on defence were unfounded, as Trump committed to the delivering the nuclear-powered vessels.
China issues rebuke over Australia-PNG treaty
The statement by Beijing’s ambassador to Papua New Guinea came as defence chiefs warned that China was becoming more assertive in the Pacific.
September 2025
The spy games behind Austal’s rapid rise
Australia is throwing cash at defence spending just as a foreign company is trying to buy our strategic shipbuilder. Is a nuclear option needed to end the impasse?
Labor to spend $1.7b on Ghost Shark drones as US visit looms
Plans for a fleet of underwater stealth drones have been announced ahead of the prime minister’s trip to the US and continuing tension over Australia’s defence budget.
