New Zealand’s House of Representatives has approved Brendan Horsley’s appointment as the country’s first-ever inspector-general of defence. Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith announced on Wednesday that Horsley would oversee establishing the new office and its support networks. Horsley’s term will start on Jan. 26, 2025, and end on Nov. 30, 2025. He will concurrently serve as...
Category: Australia
BAE Systems, ASC Partner to Support Delivery of Australia’s New Submarine Fleet
BAE Systems and ASC, formerly Australian Submarine Corp., are collaborating to deliver the SSN AUKUS fleet of submarines to the Royal Australian Navy. The British multinational defense contractor disclosed on Tuesday that the two companies have signed a tasking statement with the Australian Submarine Agency to develop a build strategy, supply chain management plans and...
Australia Names Collins-Class Submarine Sustainment Program to ‘Product of Concern’ List
The Australian Department of Defence has listed the Collins-class submarine sustainment project as a product of concern. The decision will enhance ministerial oversight of the critical capability and ensure the fleet’s effectiveness throughout its service life. Defence said the submarines are operating beyond their original design life, which means increased support is necessary to ensure...
Australian Missile Corp. Names Jason Brun as Chief Operating Officer
Australian Missile Corp. has appointed Jason Brun as chief operating officer. Brun, who most recently served as the company’s program director, announced his new role in a LinkedIn post on Sunday. AMC facilitates collaboration between industry partners, academia, state governments and defense organizations in support of the Australian government’s establishment of the Guided Weapons and...
Australia Confirms MHI, Thyssenkrupp Down-Selection for Future Frigates Project
Japanese shipbuilder Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and German firm Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems are now eligible to secure a contract for designing future general-purpose frigates for Australia. The Australian Ministry of Defence formally announced the down-selection on Monday. Earlier, the Australian Financial Review reported that the Albanese government has narrowed down the list of contractors eligible for...
Rolls-Royce Submarines Opens Glasgow Office to Support AUKUS Nuclear Attack Boat Build Programs
Rolls-Royce Submarines has opened its new Glasgow office funded by the U.K. Ministry of Defence to enhance support for the Astute- and Dreadnought-class boat build programs and other Royal Navy requirements under the AUKUS trilateral security partnership. “The opening of the new Rolls-Royce office in Glasgow is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to...
Canada, Australia Partner on Missile Defense Research
Canada and Australia have announced a joint initiative for missile defense research. The agreement, revealed through a joint statement of Canadian National Defence Minister Bill Blair and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles on Friday, focuses on countering emerging threats such as advanced cruise and hypersonic missiles. The partnership involves Defence Research and Development Canada and...
Spanish Heavy Vehicle Maker Secures Utility Vehicle Contract From New Zealand
Spanish heavy vehicle manufacturer URO Vehiculos Especiales has secured a contract from the New Zealand Ministry of Defence to deliver 60 new VAMTAC ST5 light and CK3 medium-sized unarmored utility vehicles starting in 2027. According to Wellington, the new order will replace the nation’s aging Unimog and Pinzgauer vehicles, which are currently used for domestic...
US, Australia Publish Updated BianLian Ransomware Cybersecurity Advisory
U.S. and Australian agencies have updated a joint advisory on the tactics, techniques and procedures that the BianLian ransomware uses, informing organizations about new methods malicious actors employ to compromise critical infrastructure systems. The additional TTPs were discovered through industry threat intelligence and investigations by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the FBI and the...
Report: Australia Faces Growing Cybersecurity Challenges
Australia continues to face a growing number of cybersecurity threats from state-sponsored hackers and criminal groups who are targeting government operations, critical infrastructure and businesses. According to the latest Annual Cyber Threat Report of the Australian Signals Directorate, while the number of reported cyberattacks has not changed much, the damage and costs they cause are worsening,...