Australian Defence Force

Oct- 2026 -

6 October

Shield AI, Innovaero Partner on Loitering Munitions for Australia

US firm Shield AI and Australian defense technology company Innovaero Technologies have teamed up to enhance the Australian Defence Force’s strike capabilities with autonomous loitering munitions.

Sep- 2026 -

30 September

Air

Air to Air of Tiger ARH A38-001 performing a jettison of it's Counter Measure Dispensing System. At the Port Wakefield proving ground. Trial E3032 Tiger ARH CMDS

Rojoef Manuel

Australian Army Decommissions Airbus Tiger Helicopters After Two Decades

The Australian Army has officially concluded flying operations of its Airbus Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Tigers, marking the end of the platforms' 22 years of service.

25 September

Technology

Program Manager Rich Steixner with the Lite Coms LITE SAT 1.3A terminal supporting the ADF LAND 4140 LAND C4 Modernization program.

Rojoef Manuel

Lite Coms to Supply Tactical SATCOM Dishes for Australian Military

Boeing Defence Australia has selected Lite Coms to supply tactical satellite communication terminals for the Australian Defence Force’s LAND 4140 modernization program.

23 September

Air

A Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft representing No. 11, No. 12, and No. 292 Squadrons (centre), an MQ-4C Triton from No. 9 Squadron (left), and an MC-55A Peregrine from No. 10 Squadron representing the Air "ISR Family" of jets in No. 92 Wing at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia. This image has been digitally altered. *** Local Caption *** On Tuesday 22 September 2026, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, the Honourable Richard Marles MP, accompanied by Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM, visited RAAF Base Edinburgh to announce a series of significant milestones for Australia's Air Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (Air ISR) capabilities. The Acting Prime Minister announced the achievement of Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the MQ-4C Triton and MC-55A Peregrine, the completion of major upgrades to the first two P-8A Poseidon aircraft in Australia's fleet in the United States, and the forthcoming commencement of upgrades to the remaining fleet at the recently opened Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh. These milestones represent a significant enhancement to the Royal Australian Air Force's ability to deliver persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance effects across Australia's primary area of military interest. RAAF Base Edinburgh is the Royal Australian Air Force's principal Air ISR hub and home to No. 92 Wing, which operates the P-8A Poseidon, MQ-4C Triton and MC-55A Peregrine through Nos. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 292 Squadrons. Built through years of collaboration between Defence, industry and the United States, Australias integrated Air ISR fleet continues to grow.

Rojoef Manuel

Australia Reaches Key ISR Milestones Across Triton, Peregrine, and Poseidon Fleets

The Royal Australian Air Force has declared initial operational capability for its MQ-4C Triton unmanned aerial systems and MC-55A Peregrine jets, alongside the completion and upgrade of the military’s P-8A Poseidon multi-mission fleet.

Aug- 2026 -

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.

May- 2026 -

21 May

Land

L3Harris T7 and T4 multi-mission robots side by side with manipulator arms fully extended, delivered to the Australian Defence Force for explosive ordnance disposal and high-risk missions

Ethan M. Encarnacion

L3Harris Sends ‘Life-Saving’ Ground Robots to Australian Defence Force

L3Harris has delivered multi-mission robotic systems to the Australian Defence Force, giving troops new tools to handle missions too dangerous for human personnel.

Apr- 2026 -

28 April

Asia Pacific

Christine Casimiro

Australia Selects HIMARS Over StrikeMaster for Long-Range Fires

Australia has selected Lockheed Martin’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) to enhance the army’s long-range strike capabilities.

27 April

Asia Pacific

Christine Casimiro

Australia Invests $855M in Nearly 300 Bushmaster Vehicles, Upgraded Trucks

Australia has committed to investing $855 million to enhance the Australian Defence Forces’ ground vehicle fleet.

Jan- 2026 -

7 January

Asia Pacific

Christine Casimiro

Australia Plugs $26M Into AI to Supercharge Military Decisions

Australia is boosting its defense capabilities with a nearly 40-million Australian dollar ($26.8 million) investment in emerging tech, including artificial intelligence (AI).

Dec- 2025 -

17 December

Arms