The caretaker Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, announced the UK's Defence Investment Plan on 30 June 2026. The plan has featured parts on the UK's commitment to AUKUS and the UK-Australia defence partnership | Kirra Davey

The 2026 ADM South Australia Defence Summit, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre on 7 July, underscored the state’s involvement in the creation of a sovereign naval shipbuilding and sustainment capability | Nigel Pittaway

Japan’s parliament on 26 June passed a law for renaming the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force, to the Air and Space Defense Force | Corey Lee Bell

Hitachi Kokusai Electric has won a contract from Japan’s Ministry of Defense to develop high-power microwave technology | Corey Lee Bell

The government has released the third of its top-level defence documents for 2026, the Defence Industry Development Strategy, which features a series of targeted measures to grow Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base | Max Blenkin

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy has assured defence industry that broad ranging defence procurement reforms starting on 1 July 2026 would deliver a smarter and more efficient customer who is more up for taking risks | Max Blenkin

Lockheed Martin TADRS sustainment marks two decades

In partnership with the Royal Australian Air Force, Lockheed Martin Australia marks two decades of sustaining the AN-TPS-77-based Tactical Air Defence Radar System, a capability that underpins the nation’s ground based air and missile defence.

Boeing Ghost Bat participates in US exercise

Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat has participated in Exercise Valiant Shield alongside various joint and coalition aircraft becoming the first and only collaborative combat aircraft deployed to a multinational, joint operational exercise, Boeing claims.

Stärke-AMG expands additive manufacturing capability

Stärke Advanced Manufacturing Group, in partnership with Flinders University, has expanded its Additive Manufacturing capability at its Camden Park facility through the addition of three Renishaw AM400 laser powder bed fusion systems.

Saab to export 100th Multi-Function Console

Saab Australia has reached a milestone with its 100th Multi-Function Console ready for export.

ASC fortifies nuclear submarine workforce

Two years after ASC deployed its first personnel to Pearl Harbor, more than 200 ASC employees are now undertaking Virginia-class maintenance training in Hawaii.

Exercise Southern Cross 2026 commences

Australian, United States and Japanese personnel have taken to the northern Australian skies in the Australian Defence Force’s newest trilateral exercise.

Rohde & Schwarz and BAE Systems complete Hunter comms review

Rohde & Schwarz Australia and BAE Systems Maritime Australia have completed the Preliminary Design Review for delivery of NAVICS for the Hunter Class Frigate Program.

CSIRO develops Quantum Light Sources

CSIRO researchers have developed two field-ready Quantum Light Sources for a Defence Science and Technology Group-led project focused on secure timing in GPS-GNSS degraded or denied environments.

Carbonix achieves SAIL III drone certification

Sydney-based autonomous aviation company Carbonix has achieved Safety Assurance Integrity Level III certification for a drone. 

Boeing achieves Australian supplier milestone

Boeing has surpassed $1 billion in export contracts awarded to Australian suppliers since joining the Australian Government’s Global Supply Chain Program in 2007. 

DIDS 2026 released

DIDS 2026 released

The Australian Government has released the 2026 Defence Industry Development Strategy, outlining how the government claims it will strengthen Australia’s sovereign defence industrial base and boost self-reliance.

Lockheed Martin builds Air Power Precinct

Lockheed Martin Australia has marked the commencement of a new $85.9 million Air Power Precinct in the Hunter region, together with Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, at a sod-turning ceremony in Williamtown.