Australia • Page 3 of 73

Aug- 2026 -

20 August

Australia, Japan Unleash New ‘Boobook’ High-Energy Laser System

Australia and Japan are taking their laser defense ambitions from the lab to the field, with the Boobook prototype completing its first field trials in South Australia.

19 August

Asia Pacific

Christine Casimiro

Australia, Japan Test Co-Developed Boobook Laser System

Australia and Japan have successfully conducted field trials of a co-developed laser prototype in South Australia, further deepening their defense ties.

17 August

Sea

Royal Australian Navy HMA Ships Yarra and Diamantina rafted-up to conduct force-integration training as part of Operation RENDER SAFE 2026. *** Local Caption *** Operation RENDER SAFE is the Australian Defence Force-led (ADF) multinational commitment to removing the danger posed by World War II-era explosive remnants of war (ERW) in Pacific countries. During Operation RENDER SAFE, two Royal Australian Navy Huon Class Minehunters, HMA Ships Yarra and HMAS Diamantina, and Pacific Support Vessel, ADV Reliant, will deploy to Tuvalu with an embarked Clearance Dive Team and supporting personnel. They will conduct a technical reconnaissance of Nanumea Lagoon to inform the Government of the extent of ERW within the lagoon. ADF elements will also conduct port visits in Honiara and Port Vila during the transit to and from Tuvalu. The ADF has been working with Pacific partners to build regional collective Explosive Ordnance Disposal capability through Operation RENDER SAFE for more than 20 years.

Rojoef Manuel

KBR to Manage Life Cycle for Australian Military’s Maritime Assets

Canberra has awarded KBR an $8.9-million contract to sustain key maritime capabilities for the Australian Defence Force.

14 August

Asia Pacific

CEA is delivering the HX77 truck-based CEAOPS systems and the Hawkei based CEATAC systems as the radar solution for Land 19 Phase 7B . Both employ active electronically scanned arrays (AESA) to deliver strategic and tactical protection.

Giulia Bernacchi

UK, Australia Advance Cooperation on AESA Radar Technology

The UK and Australia have agreed to explore integrating Australian radar technology into the UK Armed Forces.

12 August

Technology

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Australian Firm Develops Handheld Device That Reads the Electromagnetic Battlefield

Australian firm DroneShield is shrinking radio-frequency intelligence into a handheld package, giving operators a single device to detect, identify, locate, and assess signals on the battlefield.

10 August

Arms

Rojoef Manuel

Australia to Place First AIM-260 Missile Order Under $500M+ Deal

Canberra is committing nearly $520.1 million to arm the Royal Australian Air Force with the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile.

4 August

Technology

Ethan M. Encarnacion

Australia’s Newest Drone Fighter Weighs Less Than a Rifle, Fits in One Hand

Australia’s drone defense ambitions are getting lighter with the debut of a handheld counter-drone system designed to fit in a soldier’s kit.

Jul- 2026 -

30 July

Sea

Rojoef Manuel

Leidos to Build Emergency Repair Bay for Australia’s Virginia Submarines

Australia has partnered with Leidos’ Australian segment Gibbs and Cox to lead the preliminary design of a contingency dry dock that will support its future Virginia-class submarines.

30 July

Air

Akhsan Erido Elezhar

Australia Test-Fires Future Ground-Based Air Defense Prototype

Australia has put its developmental Medium-Range Ground-Based Air Defense prototype through a live-fire test, validating how its core systems work together during an operational engagement.

30 July

Technology