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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did not score an invite to the NATO summit.

Federal PoliticsVideoCommentsPremiumAlbo’s big call after NATO snub, as Australia issued warning

After not scoring an invite for the NATO summit, Anthony Albanese has made a big call on a possible meeting with Donald Trump, as Australia is warned over its position amongst global leaders.

Latika M Bourke

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth lambasted European allies for their stance on the Iran war. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumHegseth blasts NATO, vows review of US forces in Europe

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has harshly criticised ‌NATO members over defence spending as he announced ​a re-evaluation of US military forces in Europe.

Lorne Cook

An Innovaero OWL-B attack drone.

IPOsCommentsPremiumWA drone company thinks big ahead of expected ASX launch

Innovaero will use the proceeds of its proposed $40 million initial public offer to crank up production and crack offshore markets before the globe is saturated by wannabes.

Sean Smith

The use of drones in Ukraine has dramatically changed the nature of warfare. (EPA PHOTO)

DefencePremiumUkraine drone warfare to force Australian reckoning

As the Ukraine conflict supercharges drone warfare, there are calls for Australia to overhaul its sluggish and risk-averse defence procurement process.

Lisa Martin

Australia's Defence Minister Richard Marles (left) was due to meet his UK counterpart John Healey. (Lloyd Jones/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumLabor insists AUKUS unaffected after snap resignations

Australia is reaffirming support for its nuclear-powered submarine deal after a number of high-profile resignations within the British government.

Tess Ikonomou

Richard Marles, Australia's defense minister, at the annual AUKMIN summit in London, UK, on Wednesday.

DefenceVideoCommentsMarles ‘confident’ in AUKUS despite British sub concerns

Defence Minister Richard Marles has brushed aside concerns over British shipbuilding and the Royal Navy’s lack of deployable subs, declaring full confidence in the UK to deliver on the massive security deal.

Andrew Greene

Former Australian Army soldier Corporal Gary Proctor, a survivor of the 1996 Black Hawk helicopter training accident.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
DefenceCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Hero’s plea 30 years on from Black Hawk crash disaster

The army will on Friday commemorate the 30th anniversary of Australia’s worst peacetime military aviation crash, which killed 18 soldiers and injured 12.

Aaron Patrick

Richard Marles and Penny Wong will face some tough talks with their UK counterparts over the state of the AUKUS deal.

analysis
analysis
AustraliaVideoComments
analysis
AUKUS deal in dire straits due to British submarine crisis

A sinking feeling is likely to loom large over AUKUS discussions between Penny Wong, Richard Marles and their UK counterparts following damning revelations regarding the British submarine force.

Andrew Greene

Members of ship’s company on parade during the commissioning of HMAS Eyre

DefencePremiumNew patrol vessel to add to regional stability

HMAS Eyre is the second of six planned Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels to enter service.

Michael Palmer

EV maker BYD says its inclusion harms "its development achievements in the United States". (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumUS labels Alibaba and BYD as aiding Chinese military

The Pentagon has added Chinese businesses including tech giant Alibaba, electric car maker BYD and search engine Baidu to its list of Chinese military firms.

Michael Martina, David Shepardson and Eduardo Baptista

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth says the first US sailors will begin arriving in WA later this year as part of submarine rotations.

US Sailors Coming CommentsPremiumUS sailors heading to WA for submarine rotations

US Navy sailors will begin arriving at HMAS Stirling this year, as part of a nuclear submarine rotation program that will bring hundreds of American and UK personnel to the State. 

Joe Spagnolo

New Zealand will buy five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from the US to bolster its homeland defence. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumUS locks in $2 billion maritime helicopter deal with NZ

New Zealand will boost its defence capabilities with five Seahawk maritime helicopters as part of a $2.1 billion deal with the US.

Sam McKeith

Ben Roberts-Smith’s case has been delayed.

DefenceVideoBen Roberts-Smith’s prosecutors flag two-month case delay

The timeline for giving the Victoria Cross awardee evidence that will allow him to prepare his defence has already been pushed back two months.

Aaron Patrick

Julia Delaforce has led a campaign to ban NDAs after her own experience in the Australian military. (Jason O'BRIEN/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumDefence sexual violence survivors ungagged for inquiry

Australian servicemen and women who made private settlements after being victims of sexual crimes in the military will be free to discuss their abuse.

Ben McKay

DroneShield shareholders have delivered a first strike against the company’s pay report, keeping pressure on the board after its $70 million director share sale scandal.

MarketsPremiumDroneShield shares shot down after investor strike

DroneShield shareholders have delivered a first strike against the defence company’s pay report, keeping pressure on the board after its $70 million director share sale scandal.

Ryan Johnson

Pete Hegseth said Australia, Japan and the US are united by the goal of "peace through strength." (EPA PHOTO)

DefencePremiumHegseth meets with Pacific allies at Asia defence forum

US Secretary of Defence ‌Pete ​Hegseth has held a trilateral meeting with Japan and Australia, and two bilateral meetings with the Philippines and New Zealand.

Staff Writers

Under AUKUS, Australia will acquire nuclear-powered submarines with support from the US and the UK. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumNew AUKUS project to develop unmanned undersea vehicles

A new AUKUS project to ‌develop ‌unmanned ⁠undersea vehicles has been announced by the ​US Secretary of Defence ‌Pete ​Hegseth.

Staff Writers

HMS Anson arrived in WA in February for what was supposed to be a six-month deployment, but the Astute-class submarine had her visit abruptly cut short four weeks later as the Iran war intensified. 

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
DefenceVideoCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
REVEALED: WA’s top secret manufacturing role in AUKUS subs

Due to security concerns linked to AUKUS opponents such as Russia and China, the West cannot name local businesses in Perth that assisted in rapid maintenance to a British submarine earlier this year.

Andrew Greene

Officials have been quizzed about a $4.3 billion contract for maritime surveillance north of Australia awarded to a US defence contractor involved in a deadly crash in the Philippines last year.

DefenceCommentsPremiumQuestions raised over $4.3b Aus border surveillance deal

Officials have been quizzed about a $4.3 billion contract for maritime surveillance north of Australia awarded to a US defence contractor involved in a deadly crash in the Philippines last year.

Andrew Greene

The Austal-built USS Canberra in Sydney Harbour.

ManufacturingCommentsPremiumAustal picks insider to lead flagship US business

Gene Miller has been running Austal USA and its Mobile, Alabama shipyard as interim president since the exit of Michelle Kruger in February after a profit blunder that torpedoed Austal’s profit guidance.

Sean Smith

Canberra's defence spending strategy is making the present-day force 'less prepared', a report says. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumDefence 'trade-off' as $53b spending spree backloaded

A fraction of the Australian government's decade-long defence funding boost is set aside for next financial year, analysis shows.

Callum Godde

Defence Industry Minister Paul Papalia and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre on Wednesday.

state politicsCommentsPremiumWeapons hub plan has Canberra’s support, but no funding

Defence Minister Richard Marles won’t commit Commonwealth funding to a new weapons hub in Collie, yet.

Jessica Page

Premier Roger Cook and Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia open the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference and Exhibition today before touring the floor. Michael Wilson

State PoliticsVideoCommentsPremiumPremier defends WA weapons hub plan as cost remains mystery

Roger Cook has rejected concerns that a new weapons manufacturing hub could make Collie a military target, insisting the plan is to create jobs, not war. 

Jessica Page

Hyperion Systems chief executive Josh Wigley at the Indian Ocean Defence and Security Conference and Exhibition in Perth.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
ManufacturingCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Sky’s the limit for WA maker of 3D-printed boats

Hyperion Systems’ 4.6m Astra 460, said to be the first unmanned vessel made in the southern hemisphere by a 3D machine, was exhibited for potential customers at a defence conference in Perth. 

Sean Smith