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Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, and Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, today welcomed the opening of the inaugural AIR4 event which aims to encourage young women to see the value in pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) studies.  

Joint Media Release Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP In an historic day in Australian aviation, the first two F-35A Joint Strike Fighters to be permanently based in Australia arrived at RAAF Base Williamtown.  The Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, and Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Steven Ciobo MP, were there to welcome the aircraft and RAAF fighter pilots who flew the final leg in the journey from Luke Air Force Base Arizona.

MINISTER for Veterans and Defence Personnel, Darren Chester has today announced the launch of Air Force’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy and action plan by the Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO, DSC, at the National Museum in Canberra. Mr Chester said the Indigenous strategy Our Place, Our Skies outlines Air Force’s commitments to the Defence Reconciliation Action Plan (D-RAP) 2019–2022.

A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft has arrived in the Middle East in support of the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC). Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said the P-8A’s advanced surveillance capabilities will provide a modest but meaningful contribution. “The P-8A will work alongside our coalition partners to ensure the safe passage of merchant vessels through the region, boost security and provide an advanced maritime patrol and surveillance capability,” Minister Reynolds said.

The Turnbull Government has signed a contract to provide sustainment for the engines of the newly acquired EA-18G Growler aircraft. This contract, which also includes sustainment of Australia’s existing F/A-18F Super Hornets, will support more than 40 jobs at RAAF base Amberley in Queensland. The Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP said the contract extension will continue what has been a highly successful partnership with General Electric International Incorporated and its subcontractors.

Joint media release Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel, the Hon Darren Chester MP   The final aircraft from the Air Force Pilatus PC-21 fleet has been officially welcomed at Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base East Sale in Victoria. The PC-21 is the world’s most advanced pilot training aircraft and is a key component of the Liberal-National Government’s $1.5 billion AIR5428 project.

Joint media release Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Melissa Price MP A DART rocket carrying a Defence payload has launched today from Koonibba Rocket Range in South Australia, marking the first commercial rocket launch to the edge of space from Australia. At just 3.4 metres long and weighing 34 kilograms, the DART rocket is a fraction of the size of rockets launched by NASA and SpaceX.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, today welcomed the first EA-18G Growler electronic attack aircraft to the Royal Australian Air Force. Flying into the Australian International Airshow at Avalon from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island in the United States, the Growlers are a potent and technologically advanced new capability for the Australian Defence Force. Minister Payne said the Growler was a true force-multiplier.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen. And let me begin this morning by acknowledging the traditional owners of the land on which we meet, and pay my respects to their elders past, present and future. Let me also thank Aunty Tina for your very informative welcome. For those of you who are visitors to Australia, I think that was one of the most educational welcomes to country I have ever enjoyed. And let me also thank Uncle Harry very much this morning as well. It is always a pleasure to see you. Thank you for your recruiting efforts and please keep it up.  

Today marked a significant milestone for Air Warfare Destroyer Hobart as the ship returned to port after the successful completion of sea acceptance trials. Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, congratulated the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance partners for their combined efforts.  “The success of Hobart’s sea acceptance trials can be attributed to the joint efforts of the Commonwealth, ASC Shipbuilding, Raytheon Australia, Navantia, and 200 plus crew on board,” Minister Pyne said.  

The Air Warfare Destroyer project has been removed from the Projects of Concern list following continuing improvements in shipbuilding performance. This major milestone is a result of the implementation of the Turnbull Government’s reform program. Following an independent review by Professor Don Winter and Dr John White and a review by the Australian National Audit Office, the project was placed on the Projects of Concern list in June 2014 due to increasing commercial, schedule and cost risks.

The Air Warfare Destroyer project has been removed from the Projects of Concern list following continuing improvements in shipbuilding performance. This major milestone is a result of the implementation of the Turnbull Government’s reform program. Following an independent review by Professor Don Winter and Dr John White and a review by the Australian National Audit Office, the project was placed on the Projects of Concern list in June 2014 due to increasing commercial, schedule and cost risks.

Airbus Australia Pacific (Airbus) has been awarded a two year contract extension to provide sustainment services through to 2024, including engineering, maintenance, and supply support for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) C-130J fleet.  Minister for Defence, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, said the contract extension was granted after Airbus provided outstanding sustainment support to the C-130J fleet. “Airbus reduced sustainment costs by $10 million over the 2019 to 2024 period,” Minister Pyne said. 

The delivery of the final nine of Australia’s fleet of 72 F-35A Lightning II aircraft underscores the Albanese Government’s commitment to keeping Australia safe by ensuring the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has what it needs to defend our nation.

The Albanese Government is investing in local innovation and a future made in Australia by backing two Canberra companies to continue developing electronic warfare technology under a program set up to produce critical capabilities for all three AUKUS nations. The Government today announced Advanced Design Technology (ADT) and Penten had entered into contracts with the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator (ASCA), following successful participation in the first AUKUS Innovation Challenge.

The Albanese Government has further invested in local manufacturing and jobs, by securing local maintenance and support of diving and hyperbaric equipment for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) through a $100 million investment.

The build of 18 medium landing craft for the Army’s new littoral fleet is being accelerated, underscoring the Albanese Government’s commitment to keeping Australians safe and support for Australia’s sovereign defence industry. The $2 billion project - part of the Government’s record investment in Defence - is expected to create 1,100 direct jobs and more than 2,000 indirect jobs under a program that will also deliver heavy landing craft as well as amphibious vehicles.

The Albanese Government is taking steps to ensure Australia has one of the most advanced maritime patrol and response aircraft fleets in the world. The Government has approved the acquisition of a fourth MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, and upgrades to the Air Force’s fleet of P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The estimated combined value of these decisions is over $1.5 billion.

The Albanese Government is investing approximately $24 million in key infrastructure upgrades to Robertson Barracks and Howard Springs South in Darwin.  Improving the ability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to operate from Australia’s northern bases was a key priority identified by the Government in response to the Defence Strategic Review.

The Albanese Government is investing over $83 million to deliver vital Defence infrastructure upgrades at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.  Ensuring the Australian Defence Force has fit-for-purpose facilities and infrastructure is critical for its capability and preparedness.

The Albanese Government is building Australia’s future, providing a financial boost to two local companies to support the rapid development of technology to degrade integrated air and missile defence systems (IAMD) of potential adversaries. The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Mission 1 has now moved to delivery phase which will see two local companies, based in Adelaide and Brisbane, continue to develop their IAMD technology to give the Australian Defence Force (ADF) a capability edge. 

The Albanese Government is continuing to back the defence industry, with the 2025 Australian Defence Export Catalogue featuring a record number of businesses showcasing their export-ready products. The flagship publication, which this year features 336 businesses, is a conduit for foreign governments to engage directly with the local defence industry, making it a vital source of opportunity for Australian companies to grow their exports.

The Albanese Government has selected a design by Damen Shipyards Group as the preferred option for the Australian Defence Force’s Landing Craft Heavy under a program that will bolster national defence by establishing a new littoral fleet. This announcement is a significant step in the establishment of a littoral fleet which is expected to create 1,100 direct jobs and more than 2,000 indirect jobs under the Albanese Government’s plan for continuous naval shipbuilding in Western Australia.

The Albanese Government is supporting almost 300 Australian industry jobs as part of a $130 million contract for the sustainment of naval capabilities critical to securing Australia’s sea lines of communication and maritime trade.

There is no greater responsibility for the Albanese Labor Government than keeping Australians safe and securing our nation’s future during a time of global uncertainty.  As the Government announced last year, we are investing an additional $50.3 billion into the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which will now see an additional $10.6 billion invested over the forward estimates. The value of this investment is now $57.6 billion over the decade and is accounted for in the budget.

The Albanese Government is investing in critical infrastructure upgrades to support accommodation and facilities at Brisbane’s Gallipoli Barracks in Enoggera. Over $11.2 million in upgrades will be invested into Gallipoli Barracks which is one of Australia's largest military bases and the headquarters of the 7th Brigade. 

The Albanese Government has signed a new four-year sustainment contract with ASC Pty Ltd, securing South Australia and Western Australia as the centres of excellence for the sustainment of the Collins class submarines.

The Albanese Government will contribute up to $850 million in partnership with Kongsberg Defence Australia to manufacture and service missiles at Williamtown near Newcastle. The project, which involves construction of a factory in the Newcastle Airport precinct, is expected to generate more than 500 jobs in the construction phase and almost $100 million in economic benefits to the local area. Once complete, the factory is expected to employ approximately 100 people.

The Albanese Government has secured hundreds of highly skilled jobs while driving innovation in Australia’s local defence industry with the allocation of an additional $399 million for the ongoing development of the MQ-28A Ghost Bat. The MQ-28A Ghost Bat, known as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), is being developed in cooperation with Boeing Defence Australia. It is the first military combat aircraft to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years.

The Albanese Government is delivering two key air and missile defence capability projects, as it gets on with the job of implementing the recommendations of the Defence Strategic Review. The Review makes clear that an enhanced, all-domain integrated air and missile defence capability is critical in the face of Australia’s evolving strategic circumstances.