The agreements cover upgrade and maintenance of the AMV35 vehicles during their decades of service should BAE be successful in its bid.

The Japanese F-35 FACO is operated by MHI with technical assistance from Lockheed Martin and oversight from the US Government.

Defence Minister Marise Payne said the capability would be acquired in two tranches

The initial focus will be on key entry-level trades, and will later expand to include higher education qualifications such as naval architecture and engineering.

The funding will allow Defence to draw on the expertise in Australian universities to initiate research into emerging technologies of interest.

Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Tim Barrett confirmed that migration of oils across seals in the azimuth propulsion pod systems had been observed.

VADM Mat Winter takes over from long standing incumbent and frequent visitor to Australia, LTGEN Christopher Bogdan.

HMAS Adelaide has entered dry dock in Sydney last week and HMAS Canberra was undergoing a series of sea trials after extensive tests alongside at Fleet Base East.

AUSMURI will provide grants to support multi-disciplinary teams of university researchers who collaborate with US academic colleagues on high priority projects for future Defence capabilities.

The program will help local businesses gain relevant accreditations, prepare tenders and meet industry specific compliance requirements.

In a statement released yesterday, Hamilton-Smith criticised the Federal Government's lack of engagement with States and industry prior to issuing the Plan and said it should be revised in the form of a proper plan of action once thorough consultation had taken place.

Defence NSW is the new centralised government body within the Department of Industry charged with coordinating NSW defence industry efforts.

For JP2060 Ph3, Airbus and Siemens Healthineers intend to propose the Airbus TransHospital medical care system, which is in service with defence forces around the world.

Blackcat 20 was on a training mission from RAAF Base Edinburgh in SA when it intercepted a mayday call from a distressed vessel.

It is in many ways a response to the RAND report which made clear that the Australian naval shipbuilding industry was in a precarious and uncertain state as a consequence of underinvestment over many years.

The investment will secure Northrop Grumman's place as the anchor tenant for the advanced aerospace and defence industries precinct.