The full version of Defence Week Premium no.368 of 1 Oct 2015 can be downloaded here as a PDF. A separate PDF of the latest Defence tenders can also be downloaded here.

In a surprise move, new Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has appointed Senator Marise Payne as Defence Minister.

ADM's fourth Defence Estate and Base Services Summit was held in Canberra on Tuesday 22 September with a record attendance.

Japan's parliament has voted into law a defence policy shift that could let troops fight overseas for the first time since 1945.

The inaugural bilateral maritime exercise between India and Australia, AUSINDEX15, has concluded in Visakhapatnam, India.

Rheinmetall has delivered the first tranche of Australian built flatracks to the NZ Army as part of the company’s Medium and Heavy Operational Vehicle fleet contract.

The NSW division of the Australian Industry and Defence Network (AIDN) has awarded Christine Chen from Thales its Young Achiever of the Year award for 2015.

Two projects totalling $686 million have been referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works.

Ceremonies were held on 23 September at the Lockheed Martin F-35 production facility celebrating the rollout of the first F-35A for the Norwegian Armed Forces.

Deakin University’s Centre for Intelligent Systems Research (CISR) will work with General Dynamics IT to help improve its advanced robotics and simulation capabilities.

In case you missed it we have a new Defence Minister in the form of Senator Marise Payne. Our Editor Katherine Ziesing welcomes her into the Defence fold.

Speaking to media, the DCNS senior leadership team of Sean Costello and Brent Clark outlined their preference for a hybrid build of the Future Submarine.

A comprehensive report on the Williams Foundation 6 August seminar, Plan Jericho, Shaping Design-Led Innovation, has been prepared for the Foundation by Dr Robbin Laird.

One of the major problems facing the Defence Estate and Infrastructure Group (DE&IG) is how to best manage an ageing Defence Estate to deliver facilities that are fit for purpose for the ADF and at the same time are sustainable and provide value for money.

The NZ Ministry of Defence has shortlisted Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) to provide best and final offers for the replacement of the Royal NZ Navy fleet tanker HMNZS Endeavour.

Lockheed Martin has filed a formal protest against a $US6.75 billion US Army contract for new armoured trucks awarded to Oshkosh Corp last month.