Today the Government released the First Principles Review of Defence.
The Review delivers on a Coalition election commitment to ensure that Defence is appropriately structured and organised and has the right business practices in place to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the 21st century.
Australian Defence Force assistance will continue to flow into the most heavily affected areas of Vanuatu over the Easter period.
The remote islands of Erromango, Tanna and Ambrym Islands are now receiving vital aid, supplies and personnel from the Australian Defence Force, easing suffering during the important religious holiday.
Operation OKRA is the Australian Defence Force's (ADF) contribution to the coalition operation against Islamic State in Iraq. Operation OKRA is closely coordinated with the Iraqi government, Gulf nations and a broad coalition of international partners.
Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today that Australian U.S. and coalition defence forces have continued to pound Islamic State in Syria and Iraq.
Yemen is a beautiful place which has, to date, survived much of the post Arab Spring turmoil relatively unscathed. Unfortunately it seems as though this is about to change.
Yemen now stands poised on the edge of an out-of-control conflict that could leave much of the country laid to waste. The conflict could also further destabilise and already fractured situation in the Gulf.
Large sections are Australian society are up in arms about the Federal Government’s new Meta-Data retention laws and many fear that we are entering an age of Orwellian type surveillance from which we may never return.
The new laws, however, are so ineffective that they will have little impact on internet privacy. In fact the new legislation may actually spawn a new age of security consciousness amongst ordinary Australians as they take steps to understand and actively manage their own online footprint.
Australia first F-35A pilot, Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson, last week took his first flight in an F-35A aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, United States. The F-35A (commonly known as the Joint Strike Fighter) is intended meet Australia’s future air combat and strike needs, providing a networked force-multiplier effect in terms of situational awareness and combat effectiveness.
General Dynamics Land Systems and Thales Australia have announced their intention to submit a joint bid for the Land 400 Phase 2 Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability (ASLAV Replacement) Request For Tender. The two companies have signed a teaming memorandum of understanding (MOU) as part of the arrangement.
A generation of children, some as young as five, are being trained by Islamic State to become hardened, remorseless killers. For many children this essentially removes all hope of them ever leading a peaceful existence in this life. For the rest of the world it leaves us with a generation of mentally damaged future adults who will inevitably perpetuate the madness that their parents and mentors have instilled in them.
Tunis: One Australian is among 19 people killed by gunmen in the the national museum in Tunis. A total of 17 tourists were killed as well as a Tunisian citizen and policeman. Two gunmen have reportedly been killed by security forces.