DefenceTalkThe Morrison Government has approved the accelerated acquisition of improved weapon capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) at a total cost of $3.5 billion. Minister for Defence the Hon Peter Dutton MP today announced that Defence will accelerate the acquisition of: The Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile Extended Range (JASSM-ER) for the Royal Australian Air […]https://www.defencetalk.com/3-5bn-to-accelerate-missile-strike-capabilities-for-the-adf-78627/

DefenceTalkAustralia will be forced to pay up to Aus$5.5 billion (US$4.1 billion) to exit a submarine deal with France in favor of acquiring nuclear-powered US or British models, officials admitted Friday. Last year Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tore up a submarine deal with France’s Naval Group, instead opting for nuclear-powered alternatives as part of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/axed-french-submarines-deal-to-cost-australia-up-to-5-5-billion-78568/

DefenceTalkAustralian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced Tuesday his government is readying the country’s ports to host nuclear-powered submarines from Britain and the United States. Morrison said his defence department would determine what was needed “to support the more frequent presence” of nuclear-powered submarines from the two ally nations. The move could provide the two nuclear […]https://www.defencetalk.com/australia-plans-to-host-us-uk-nuclear-submarines-78417/

DefenceTalkAustralia will boost its defence forces by some 30 percent by 2040, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Thursday, describing it as the country’s largest military build-up in peacetime. The force would grow by 18,500 personnel to 80,000 over the 18-year period, at a cost of some Aus$38 billion (US$27 billion), the prime minister said at […]https://www.defencetalk.com/australia-to-boost-defence-force-by-nearly-a-third-78371/

DefenceTalkDeputy Defense Secretary Kathleen H. Hicks met yesterday with Australian Defense Secretary Greg Moriarty to advance the United States-Australia alliance and compare perspectives on managing national defense enterprises, Pentagon spokesman Eric Pahon said.  Moriarty told Hicks that Australia’s government has decided to provide lethal and nonlethal aid to Ukraine. Hicks welcomed the announcement as a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/australia-to-provide-lethal-nonlethal-aid-to-ukraine%e2%80%af-78203/

DefenceTalkEnhancements to the Australian Defence Force’s credible combat capability will be delivered by the Government through the purchase of evolved Abrams tanks and combat engineering vehicles. Minister for Defence, the Hon Peter Dutton MP today announced a $3.5 billion investment in the Main Battle Tank Upgrade (LAND 907 Phase 2) and Combat Engineering Vehicle (LAND […]https://www.defencetalk.com/enhancing-the-adfs-armoured-combat-capability-77653/

DefenceTalkJapan and Australia on Thursday signed a “landmark” treaty to strengthen defence ties, saying the accord would contribute to regional stability, as China expands its military and economic clout. While Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison did not mention Beijing directly in a statement released ahead of the signing, the agreement is seen as another step […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-australia-sign-defence-treaty-with-eyes-on-china-77634/

DefenceTalkUS President Joe Biden’s top Pacific envoy on Wednesday accused China of trying to “drive Australia to its knees” through a barrage of sanctions that amounted to “economic warfare”. In remarks to the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, veteran diplomat Kurt Campbell lampooned Beijing for strong-arm tactics. Painting China as increasingly bellicose and determined to impose its […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-accuses-china-of-economic-warfare-against-australia-77523/

DefenceTalkAustralia formally embarked Monday on a hotly-contested program to equip its navy with nuclear-powered submarines in a new defence alliance with Britain and the United States. Defence Minister Peter Dutton joined US and British diplomats in signing an agreement allowing the exchange of sensitive “naval nuclear propulsion information” between their nations. It is the first […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-australia-uk-sign-key-deal-in-nuclear-sub-alliance-77496/

DefenceTalkFormer Australian leader Malcolm Turnbull said Wednesday his successor “deliberately deceived” France when he scrapped a multi-billion-euro submarine deal with Paris in favour of nuclear-powered US or British alternatives. Turnbull, whose government approved the submarine deal with France in 2016, was scathing about the way Prime Minister Scott Morrison handled the switch, which was part […]