Yesterday
Red Sea call ‘risks telegraphing capability concerns to adversaries’
The government’s reluctance to send a warship to the Red Sea has the potential to flag internal concerns to adversaries over Australia’s naval capability, a former naval warfare officer warns.
- Tom Rabe
- Opinion
- The AFR View
Labor’s best policy might be admitting Red Sea defence gap
If strategy is Labor’s reason, it raises concerns. If there is no available ship, it raises another set of questions about Australia’s alarming lack of military capabilities.
- The AFR View
- Opinion
- Opinion
Australia’s Hunter frigate project should be sunk
Its crystal clear that the replacement ships for the Anzac class that we cannot send to the Red Sea will not provide a worthwhile capability for the Royal Australian Navy.
- Rowan Moffitt
This Month
Australia ill-prepared for major war, report says
A top industrialist should be appointed to whip Australia’s defence industry into shape amid growing risk of conflict with China, a report by ANU and Ai Group claims.
- Andrew Tillett
Miles named Qld premier, adds five new ministers
Steven Miles says the five new ministers are young, energetic, and “ready to deliver a fresh approach”; the cost of the North East Link in Melbourne is predicted to cost $26.1 billion. Here’s how the day unfolded.
- Updated
- Gus McCubbing and Lois Maskiell
US Congress passes AUKUS to greenlight submarines
Legislation on the sale of nuclear submarines has finally passed the US House, and could soon save Australian companies $600 million in compliance costs.
- Matthew Cranston and Andrew Tillett
Australia wary of US request to protect Red Sea shipping
Sending an Australian warship to the Middle East could detract from Canberra’s focus on its Indo-Pacific backyard.
- Andrew Tillett
- Exclusive
- AUKUS
First two AUKUS suppliers picked as Congress breakthrough reached
Steel producers Bisalloy and BlueScope are poised to become the first local firms to become an AUKUS supplier as a breakthrough emerges on a key US vote.
- Andrew Tillett and Matthew Cranston
- Exclusive
- Russia-Ukraine war
Lapsed contract could deliver Aussie fighter jets to Ukraine
Plans to transfer old RAAF jets could be revived while Canberra will consider Ukraine’s request for year-round supply of Australian coal.
- Andrew Tillett
AUKUS subs deal set to pass Congress after breakthrough
US Congress could vote before the end of the year on selling nuclear-powered submarines to Australia after agreement on Capitol Hill.
- Matthew Cranston
New security deal with PNG to help check China
Australia will pump $200 million into law and order in Papua New Guinea, including training thousands of new police officers and hiring extra judges.
- Updated
- Andrew Tillett
Cracks ground RAAF planes as bushfire season looms
Fissures have been found where the tail fins join fuselages on some C-27J Spartan aircraft operated around the world.
- Andrew Tillett
Australian cops to work for PNG police under new security pact
Amid strategic jockeying with China, Anthony Albanese and James Marape will sign a long-delayed security treaty in Canberra on Thursday.
- Andrew Tillett
‘National asset’: Austal sale faces likely security test, Marles warns
A sale of the Australian shipbuilder to a foreign company looks destined for national security tests, and the government has left the door open to taking an investment.
- Matthew Cranston
- Exclusive
- Funding
Millions for Australian start-up using AI to change how we see
Arkeus, an ambitious Melbourne start-up that has secured early contracts with the Defence Department for its automated optical technology, has also caught investors’ eyes.
- Paul Smith
China sonar incident sparks AUKUS acceleration
Defence Minister Richard Marles says the latest AUKUS initiatives were crucial in light of the incident involving a Chinese navy destroyer.
- Matthew Cranston
November
Australia’s only naval shipbuilder reaches a fork in the road
There are plenty of big questions for Austal, and defence policy, as the likelihood of a private equity takeover increases and priorities shift to the US.
- Matthew Cranston
Bang for buck, nuclear subs are twice as good: Conroy
Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy defends the $368 billion AUKUS price tag and hits back at industry criticism key decisions are being delayed.
- Andrew Tillett and Matthew Cranston
Top Chinese diplomat arrives, as another incident revealed
Liu Jianchao has arrived in Australia, as Anthony Albanese struggles with the fallout over a Chinese warship injuring navy divers.
- Andrew Tillett
Defence projects face axe to fund new weapons
The head of the Defence Department warns cuts will be made to planned military projects to free up cash for new weapons.
- Andrew Tillett
