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

Supporting women in Defence

The second online event for the collaboration between Australian Defence Magazine Women in Defence and National Security Network and Women in Defence UK was hosted by both organisations on 24 June 2026 | Kirra Davey

We’ve had two big defence funding documents from the Government in quick succession. The first, the 2026 National Defence Strategy (and its supporting Integrated Investment Program) sets out the big picture over the coming decade | Marcus Hellyer

Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy says the new Defence Delivery Agency won’t just be version 2.0 of its predecessor, current Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group | Max Blenkin

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.

Australian defence businesses win grants

In the latest round of the Defence Industry Development Grants program, more than $22 million has been awarded to 60 Australian businesses.

Ocius and UNSW to upgrade Bluebottle fleet

Ocius Technology and UNSW Canberra are collaborating to develop advanced autonomous control systems for the Bluebottle Uncrewed Surface Vessel fleet to optimise its performance and power usage.

Singapore to buy US Hellfire missiles

The US Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Singapore to purchase AGM-114R Hellfire missiles.

RTI and Weststar to establish defence joint ventures

Weststar Defence Industries has entered into a Strategic Joint Venture Agreement with Australian aerospace and defence technology company Rocket Technologies International to establish new joint venture companies in Malaysia and Australia.

Southern Launch wins funding round

Southern Launch has won a $25 million funding round led by an Australian national security investment firm, Brindabella and Company, and the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation.

Australia acquires US Super Hornet and Growler training

The US Department of State has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Australia for the purchase of F/A-18F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler aircraft training and related equipment.

Airbus and KHI to explore U950 Eurodrone Japanese variant

Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Kawasaki Heavy Industries to analyse opportunities to work on a Japanese anti-submarine warfare variant of the U950 Eurodrone.

Austal and others research additive manufacturing

Australian shipbuilder Austal, Curtin University and the Additive Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre have commenced a $600,000 collaborative research project to unlock new additive manufacturing opportunities.