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Ships berth at Kwinana bulk jetty

InfrastructureCommentsPremiumCall for clear battle lines at crowded Henderson hub

A $12 billion commitment to kit Henderson out as a crucial defence outpost has been billed a boon for the State, but businesses already using the space say they “urgently” need clarity.

Simone Grogan

The drone war between Russia and Ukraine is escalating as talks on ending the conflict continue. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumUkraine attacks major Russian refinery in drone assault

Russia says it has downed more than 361 Ukrainian drones after an attack on its Kirishi oil refinery, as Kyiv says it conducted a "successful strike".

Staff Writers

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (inset, right) has revealed a $12 billion investment in WA's shipbuilding industry.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
AUKUSCommentsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
PM to unveil massive $12 billion investment in WA industry

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will fly into WA on Sunday to announce a $12 billion investment in the future of WA’s shipbuilding industry in a major boost to diversifying the State economy.

Joe Spagnolo

Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia chatting with Rolls Royce this week.

ManufacturingCommentsPremiumPapalia wants sub workers to get the Rolls-Royce treatment

A science and tech skills boost is on the way for WA after British nuclear reactor manufacturer Rolls-Royce pledged to help the State Government get local workers ready for the AUKUS submarine program.

Matt Mckenzie

Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh says the suicide figures are ‘tragic’.

Federal PoliticsCommentsVeterans Affairs Minister says suicide figures are ‘tragic’

Veterans Affairs Minister Matt Keogh has described the ongoing rate of suicide among Australian Defence Force veterans as ‘tragic’.

Caitlin Vinci

A new study has cast a grim light on the leading cause of death among Australian Defence Force veterans.

DefenceCommentsThe damning new stat that proves we’ve failed our veterans

A new study has cast a grim light on the leading cause of death among Australian Defence Force veterans.

Caitlin Vinci

HMAS Brisbane pictured in 2024 as it transits through the Surigao Strait during a regional presence deployment.

DefenceAustralia hits back after China’s Taiwan ‘trouble’ claims

Australia has hit back at Chinese Government claims its warships had been ‘causing trouble’ in the contested Taiwan Strait and pledged to continue its operations.

Andrew Greene & Oliver Lane

The HMAS Brisbane has attracted the Chinese military’s ire

Defence‘Causing trouble’: China jabs Australia over Taiwan Strait

Chinese Government says its military monitored the passage of Australian and Canadian warships through the Taiwan Strait, criticising their presence in the sensitive waterway as “causing trouble”

HMAS Farncomb's crew of about 80 is spending a week in Melbourne. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumSubmarine on show as crew stretch legs in big city

Cooped up on working days, submarine crew members are making the most of their time docked at one of Australia's biggest cities.

Callum Godde

The United States Coast Guard cutter USCGC Hamilton passes through the Bosporus towards the Black Sea.

ManufacturingCommentsPremiumAustal firms up three more patrol cutters for US Coast Guard

The Coast Guard decision has exercised $480m of contract options, paving the way for Austal’s US shipyard to order long lead items needed to begin construction of three more 110m Heritage-class cutters.

Sean Smith

China's military parade featured hypersonic anti-ship missiles including the Yingji-17. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumChina shows off weapons in massive military parade

President Xi Jinping has overseen a parade that made a rare public display of China's weapons to show its growing military power.

Kevin Krolicki and Ben Blanchard

Austal chief executive Paddy Gregg at Henderson.

ManufacturingCommentsPremiumAustal not fussed by Hanwha ‘angst’ ahead of FIRB call

Chief executive Paddy Gregg admits it would be “natural to assume there would be some nervousness” by its shipbuilding partners about Hanwha taking a major presence on the Australian company’s share register.

Sean Smith

Queensland Police used drone guns as part of the security for the 2018 Commonwealth Games. (Tim Marsden/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumAustralia plans defence against malicious drone attacks

An Australian company has been awarded tens of million of dollars to help provide the nation's military with counter-drone technology.

Tess Ikonomou

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, left, has told Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles that Australia should spend 3.5 per cent of GDP on defence.

PoliticsCommentsTaylor questions outcomes of abrupt US trip amid AUKUS probe

Richard Marles has vowed the Australia-US relationship is ‘deepening’ after meeting with top officials in Washington amid concerns over a Pentagon review of the AUKUS pact.

Caitlyn Rintoul

Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse will no longer serve as head of the US Defence Intelligence Agency. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumUS Pentagon intelligence agency head fired

Lieutenant General Jeffrey Kruse, the head of the Pentagon's intelligence agency, has been fired.

Staff Writers

Seoul authorities stopped former soldier Ahn Hak-sop while he tried to cross an inter-Korean bridge. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumFormer N.Korean soldier, 95, campaigns to be sent home

A 95-year-old North Korean prisoner of war wants to return home after decades in the South, but Seoul authorities won't let him.

Staff Writers

The investment will ensure New Zealand has a combat-capable and dependable fleet, the minister said. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumNew Zealand to spend $A2.4 billion on helicopters, jets

New Zealand has moved to upgrade its defence fleet with a major investment, as a report cited 'toughest security challenges of recent times'.

Staff Writers

NZ's top security official said the country's 'threat environment' was deteriorating. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumNew Zealand faces toughest security challenges:report

An annual report on New Zealand's security has cited serious threats from foreign states, particularly China.

Lucy Craymer

The exercises are called Alon, meaning wave in the Philippine language Tagalog. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumAustralia and Philippines begin largest military drills

The largest military exercises between Australian and the Philippines have begun near the South China Sea, where Beijing's assertive actions have raised alarm.

Jim Gomez

VEEM manufacturing process in Canning Vale, WA.

ManufacturingPremiumVeem stock on the up after landing $65m subs contract

Shares in family-controlled manufacturing firm Veem have surged after landing another six years’ worth of work with Australian submarine builder ASC. 

Simone Grogan

A sharp drop in the population of males of enlistment age is impacting South Korea's military ranks. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumSouth Korea's military shrinks as male population drops

South Korea's military has shrunk by 20 per cent in six years in the wake of a sharp drop in the country's male population.

Jack Kim

An F-35A fighter jet put on a show over Sydney ahead of September's airshow. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumAir Force power to wow crowds in anniversary airshow

Fighter jets, cargo planes and aerobatic manoeuvres will be on display at an airshow celebrating the centenary of one of the country's oldest Air Force bases.

Tom Wark

Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy and Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond at a background briefing for journalists at Parliament House in Canberra, Tuesday, August 5, 2025

DEFENCE INDUSTRYCommentsPremiumHenderson’s readiness questioned amid frigate fleet deal

Doubts have been raised over whether WA’s Henderson shipyard will be ready in time to build eight frigates under the Federal Government’s naval shipbuilding deal with Austal. 

Caitlyn Rintoul

Japanese warship the JS Yahagi, a Mogami-class stealth frigate from Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, is docked in Darwin, Australia, on June 6, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP)

analysis
analysis
Federal PoliticsCommentsPremium
analysis
Off-the-shelf frigate purchase a smart move

With its decision to buy Mogami-class frigates from Japan, the Government is getting the closest thing to an off-the-shelf product as exists in Defence procurement. That’s a good thing.

Katina Curtis