17 May 2013

In the grey skies over Avalon, the US Air Force's finest did their thing, showing just what Australia won't ever fly and can't afford anyway. The F-22 Raptor certainly put on a show, its twin afterburners roaring with pure power, its travelling roadshow team delivering a breathless commentary in a manner which would not be out of place at a rodeo or a NASCAR race. Premium

15 Apr 2013

The last decade has been described as the 9/11 or national security decade, with Australia’s security posture defined by events which started that morning, New York time, on September 11, 2001. Premium

15 Apr 2013

As I’ve mentioned before in past editorials, it’s easy for people to focus on the capabilities that the Navy and Air Force offer. It’s pretty hard to miss a ship in port or an aircraft on the tarmac. But Army is gearing up for their own platforms of choice to be replaced: vehicles. Premium

27 Mar 2013

The Avalon Airshow edition always makes me somewhat nostalgic. Back in the heady days of 2007, Avalon was the first major defence event I attended as an ADM staff writer. Looking back at past Avalon editions of ADM, the headlines and themes have changed a great deal in only a few short years. Dragging out my 2005 Avalon edition I saw Tenix winning work for the EWSP suite on the C-130Hs, the Orions were to retire between 2013-2015 and Boeing was making sure that Defence knew about the Super Hornet just in case. Premium

27 Mar 2013

There was something for most everyone when Defence Minister Stephen Smith and Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare stood up in Perth in mid-December last year to present a progress report on the review of air combat capability. Premium

11 Feb 2013

One of the more intriguing contributions to the national security debate occurred in late October when Army chief Lieutenant General David Morrison ventured into the lecture hall to address the Canberra University’s National Security Institute. Premium

11 Feb 2013

In continuing with my editorial practice for the year of commenting on how our themes relate to the upcoming White Paper, I find myself in two minds. On the one hand, the Top 40 Defence Contractors and Top 20 SMEs survey demonstrates the width and breadth that Australian industry has to offer. The minimum cut off for turnover has increased yet again, there are both new and old entrants making an appearance and the number of locally-owned SMEs seems to be on the rise. Premium

07 Jan 2013

At what point does indecision become a decision in itself? This question can be asked of both of our themes this month; Network Centric Warfare (NCW) and the Future Submarine. The 2009 NCW Roadmap had some fantastic goals it wanted to achieve. The 2009 NCW Roadmap updates the 2007 roadmap. Premium

04 Jan 2013

Australia’s F/A-18 Hornets seem set to fly a bit beyond their planned 2020 retirement date which is looking increasingly likely to be pushed out a few more years because of delays with the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Premium

23 Oct 2012

Despite being announced over five years and a few defence and prime ministers ago, the Defence trade treaty between the US and Australia is still under consideration in Australia. Premium