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Defence news headlines
Latest defence news on the army, navy, and airforce, government military spending, news from the front line in current wars, troop deployments and war strategy
Australia pledges record military aid package for Ukraine
The $250 million package includes air defence missiles, guided ground weapons and anti-tank systems.
AustraliaNATO leaders jointly affirm 'Ukraine's future is in western alliance'
The war-torn country's path to membership of the alliance is 'irreversible', they pledged.
natoADF to be equipped with kamikaze drones
The deadly small weapon can be carried in a backpack and launched on the battlefield.
Australian Defence ForceAlbanese defends NATO summit absence
The prime minister's decision to stay home has prompted criticism amid high global tensions.
natoChina intercepts 'underwater probe' dropped from US aircraft
The device can detect submarine signals, according to a social media site linked to state media.
south china seaAustralian deploys powerful warship in test of China relations
It comes after the PM and Chinese Premier Li Qiang agreed to better communication during meetings in Canberra.
navyChina accused of 'piracy' after boats rammed, guns stolen in disputed sea
The Philippines military has accused China of piracy after its coastguard carried out a violent interception in the latest South China Sea flashpoint.
south china seaAustralia to help PNG with security and justice with new deal
The agreement came hours after China's Premier left Australia, and a month after reports PNG was considering signing a policing deal with Beijing.
PacificAustralia's focus moves to Pacific as China premier ends visit
Foreign Minister Penny Wong and other senior ministers have arrived in Papua New Guinea for high level talks with the island nation.
AustraliaFamilies infuriated as ADF moves to gut inquiry into deadly crash
The ADF doesn't want the inquiry to look into the actions of the crew that night, the helmet-mounted sight display, night vision systems or "human factors".
nationalG7 leaders agree to loan Ukraine billions of dollars
The deal will be funded by frozen Russian assets seized after the Kremlin launched the Ukraine invasion.
Russia UkraineFederal government announces major Defence Force shakeup
As part of the federal government's national defence strategic review unveiled in April, the eligibility critieria will be expanded to fill critical skilled workforce shortages.
nationalDefence force needs 'immediate' funding boost: new report
Australia needs to "immediately" increase funding for the defence force to quickly improve the military's capabilities, according to a new report.
nationalChina shows off armed 'robot dog' during military drills
A state-produced video showed the "dog" operating alongside infantry troops in urban combat scenarios.
militaryDefence conference told 'more than 1200 Chinese spies operating in Australia'
Defence Minister Richard Marles told the forum in Canberra the Pacific region was anxious about China's military drills off Taiwan.
AustraliaNew Taiwan president urges China to stop military intimidation
Lai Ching-te pledged to "neither yield nor provoke" Beijing and said he sought peace in relations with the superpower.
taiwanDonald Trump signals 'warm' support for AUKUS in meeting with Scott Morrison
The former leaders held private talks in New York just hours after Trump was in court for his hush money trial.
Scott MorrisonWar crimes whistleblower to find out fate, jail time
David McBride pleaded guilty to stealing classified material and leaking it to journalists.
courtsADF chief hits back at China's chopper intercept spying claim
The near-catastrophic incident in the Yellow Sea off South Korea on Saturday has caused tension between Australia and its biggest trading partner.
ChinaPentagon's tank-killer drone wins funding for potential China conflict
The United States plans to accelerate its autonomous weapons production to meet threats in the Indo Pacific.
dronesPM slams China over interception of Australian Navy helicopter
Anthony Albanese said the actions of the Chinese warplane had put ADF members at risk.
ChinaChinese jet intercepts Australian Navy helicopter in 'unsafe' move
Defence sources said only the quick reflexes of the Australian pilot averted disaster.
AustraliaFormer foreign minister Bob Carr to sue top New Zealand politician
The debate over the AUKUS defence agreement has turned personal.
legalClose relative of dictator denied top-secret US security clearance
The woman is suspected to be the cousin of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
WorldDefence minister pledges $100m in visit to war-torn country
The defence minister has travelled to Ukraine to announce Australia's latest funding commitment.
Russia UkraineRussia dismisses deputy defence minister over bribery
The arrest of Timur Ivanov marks the highest-profile corruption scandal since President Vladimir Putin launched the Ukraine war two years ago.
RussiaNorth Korea's Kim Jong-Un oversees 'nuclear counterattack' drills
The projectiles travelled more than 300km before crashing down in the sea, South Korea's military said.
North KoreaIt's time to talk and think about how we keep the Anzac Day tradition alive
This is a call for ideas, and a plea to keep the Anzac Day tradition alive and protect its future as an integral part of the moral and social fabric so threatened in this country.
ANZAC DayOne dead, seven missing after two Japanese navy helicopters crash
One crew member who had been recovered from the waters was later pronounced dead, while rescuers searched for seven others who were still missing.
WorldChina issues clapback over Australia's $50 billion defence boost
Beijing repeated claims the federal government has a 'Cold War mentality'.
AustraliaDefence spending gets $50 billion boost over next decade
The funding boost comes following last year's Defence Strategic Review, which argued Australia needed to modernise its current military structure it said was designed for a "bygone era".
nationalAustralia, US and Japan strike missile agreement to deter China
The three nations will launch a new air defence strategy in the Indo Pacific, US President Joe Biden announced.
AustraliaAustralia and AUKUS partners say Japan could join part of defence pact
But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stressed the alliance won't be extended to become JAUKUS.
militaryVice-Admiral David Johnston named new chief of the Australian Defence Force
Vice Admiral David Johnston will take over the top job in July, the federal government said today.
Australian Defence ForceFormer Defence Force chief to advise on aid worker deaths in Gaza
Mark Binskin has been appointed to liaise with the Israeli military as it conducts an investigation.
Israel Hamas ConflictRussia warns of 'direct confrontation' with NATO
The Kremlin's stern message took the shine off the western military alliance's 75th anniversary gathering.
nato'Tough but necessary' defence cuts needed as Australia prioritises the Pacific
Defence Minister Richard Marles said the pivot in spending is required to meet challenging conditions in our region.
militaryFamily of slain Australian aid worker backs war crimes investigation
A preliminary investigation by the Israeli Defence Forces said the deadly airstrike was due to a 'misidentification'.
Israel Hamas ConflictSoldier killed in Sydney military drill remembered as 'gold standard'
His family wiped away tears as they said goodbye to the 33-year-old at a service in New South Wales' Hunter region today.
AustraliaTrump will not give a penny to Ukraine, says Hungarian leader
The former US president would effectively end the conflict if reelected this year, a controversial European leader says.
Russia UkraineFormer Labor MP's soldier son dies after parachuting accident
Jack Fitzgibbon suffered critical injuries in an accident at a Royal Australian Air Force base last night.
nationalChina drops word 'peaceful' from its stance on Taiwan in ominous sign
It comes as the global superpower pushes ahead with increased Defence spending, despite flagging economic growth.
ChinaUS Air Force worker accused of sharing secret info on dating site
Prosecutors say his co-conspirator sent him messages such as, "You are my secret informant love! How were your meetings? Successfully?"
crimeEx-politician betrayed 'colleagues, party, nation': Deputy PM
ASIO has claimed an unnamed former politician was recruited by foreign spies.
ASIOWhat's next after two years of war in Ukraine?
The conflict has reached a critical crosswords, with plenty of hurdles to any peace deal.
Russia UkraineUK nuclear missile test fails, sparking concerns about program
British lawmakers are seeking reassurances about the nation's nuclear deterrent after the second failure.
militaryUS drone shot down, claim Houthi rebels
Reports about the downing of the unmanned aircraft come as shipping in the Red Sea continues to be targeted by the Iranian-backed fighters.
Middle EastSpanish police suspect bullet-riddled body may be Russian defector
Maksim Kuzminov defected last year by flying into Ukraine in a Russian military helicopter with the help of Ukrainian intelligence.
Russia UkraineAustralian navy's surface fleet to double in size under $54 billion overhaul
Defence Minister Richard Marles said there will be more warships in the water ahead of schedule.
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