A ‘topping out’ ceremony was held on 19 May 2026 at the Kongsberg Missile Factory at Astra Aerolab Precinct, Newcastle Airport, marking a construction milestone for this complex manufacturing and maintenance facility.

Operator XR has secured its first European contract, supplying an OP-2 Virtual Reality tactical training system to a Swedish military end-user.

Acacia Systems to advance Onyx, its passive sonar automatic detection, tracking and localisation capability, to deliver enhanced tracking performance across a wider range of challenging acoustic environments.

The government has officially launched the Collins-class submarine life of type extension program to ensure the Collins boats remain an effective capability pending the arrival of nuclear submarines next decade | Max Blenkin

Saronic has announced a strategic partnership with Lloyd’s Register, a provider of classification and compliance services for the marine and offshore industries.

Tasmanian boat builder Sentinel Boats has won a Defence contract to deliver up to seven general purpose watercraft for Australia’s elite Special Operations Forces.

QinetiQ Australia has announced the appointment of Stephen Loosley, to its Advisory Board.

The Australian Defence Force’s attack helicopter fleet continues to grow, with delivery of a fifth and sixth AH‑64E Apache attack helicopter to the Australian Army.

The new Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence has commenced its work in examining Defence policy, capability development, and administration and expenditure, with an emphasis on long‑term effectiveness and strategic outcomes.

Systems Planning & Analysis Australia has announced the promotion of Anthony Ween to National Lead – Defence & Analytics. 

Lockheed Martin Australia has been selected as Australia’s preferred Virginia Class Submarine Combat System Integration Strategic Partner.

The Australian Government has awarded three Australian companies with contracts to develop new undersea navigation technology.

Operator XR has successfully completed all milestones of the 20-month, $5.6 million subcontract awarded by the United States Department of Defense, delivered as part of Team Endurance Group.

Arkeus has raised $25 million in Series A funding to accelerate its global expansion. The company will establish advanced manufacturing capabilities in both Queensland and the United States.

ISTEC Services has signed a key collaboration agreement with SiNAB. The agreement brings together complementary experiences in platform integration and advanced mission systems to deliver next-generation integrated Counter UAS.

Century Engineering has become the first Australian business to secure export contracts into the United States naval nuclear supply chain — embedding Australian industry within the US industrial base.