UK official sees ‘unique’ partnership chances for next-gen fighter

UK official sees ‘unique’ partnership chances for next-gen fighter
UK official sees ‘unique’ partnership chances for next-gen fighter

“I think it’s a richness of our collective response that we are able to develop what might appear on the surface to be competitive solutions, whether that’s F-35, NGAD, the Franco German cooperation, or our program,” said Richard Berthon, the UK Ministry of Defence’s Director of Future Combat Air.

‘Deepening’ Russia-China partnership ‘to stay for the foreseeable future,’ Japanese diplomat warns

‘Deepening’ Russia-China partnership ‘to stay for the foreseeable future,’ Japanese diplomat warns
‘Deepening’ Russia-China partnership ‘to stay for the foreseeable future,’ Japanese diplomat warns

Tamaki Tsukada, chargé d’affaires at the embassy of Japan to the US, downplayed the tussle over a Pacific NATO office but said Indo-Pacific democracies and Western nations must tighten their own ties.

Germany approves $769M weapons package for Ukraine, clears huge Boxer deal with Australia

Germany approves $769M weapons package for Ukraine, clears huge Boxer deal with Australia
Germany approves $769M weapons package for Ukraine, clears huge Boxer deal with Australia

“We are proceeding [with additional funding] because we are convinced it is necessary and the only right thing to do is support Ukraine for as long as it takes,” said Boris Pistorius, Germany’s minister of defense.

Critics slam Aussie ‘brutal blow’ to whack $1.2B on space spending

Critics slam Aussie ‘brutal blow’ to whack $1.2B on space spending
Critics slam Aussie ‘brutal blow’ to whack $1.2B on space spending

The Defence Strategic Review called for a “whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach to guide the development of the space domain.” But, the Space Industry Association of Australia said, “leadership is missing on Australia’s national space priorities and ambitions.”

China strikes back against decoupling, restricts two rare earth minerals

China strikes back against decoupling, restricts two rare earth minerals
China strikes back against decoupling, restricts two rare earth minerals

“In order to safeguard national security and interests, with the approval of the State Council, it is decided to implement export controls on items related to gallium and germanium,” China’s Ministry of Commerce and its General Administration of Customs (GAC) said July 3 in a joint statement.

HII execs visit Australia, prepping for ‘generational partnership’ for AUKUS

HII execs visit Australia, prepping for ‘generational partnership’ for AUKUS
HII execs visit Australia, prepping for ‘generational partnership’ for AUKUS

“We very much view this as a generational partnership, one that we’re leaning into, and one that we believe will help generate capability and capacity in Australia,” Eric Chewning, HII’s executive vice president for strategy and development, told a group of reporters.

House Dems introduce bill to allow Virginia sub transfer to Aussies

House Dems introduce bill to allow Virginia sub transfer to Aussies
House Dems introduce bill to allow Virginia sub transfer to Aussies

The proposed legislation would begin the process of knocking down key legal hurdles impending the AUKUS security pact.

New Zealand in AUKUS? The political Kiwi conundrum over Pillar 2 membership

New Zealand in AUKUS? The political Kiwi conundrum over Pillar 2 membership
New Zealand in AUKUS? The political Kiwi conundrum over Pillar 2 membership

Among the political elite in Wellington, there is disagreement about the value of New Zealand joining this element of the partnership — disagreement that could end any realistic chances of New Zealand becoming the fourth member of AUKUS.

Eye on US-China rivalry, Australia’s PM stresses ‘collective responsibility’ in key speech

Eye on US-China rivalry, Australia’s PM stresses ‘collective responsibility’ in key speech
Eye on US-China rivalry, Australia’s PM stresses ‘collective responsibility’ in key speech

“Doing our part to fulfill the shared responsibility all of us have to preserve peace and security,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. “And making it crystal clear that when it comes to any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force: be it in Taiwan, the South China Sea, the East China Sea or elsewhere, the risk of conflict will always far outweigh any potential reward.”

Despite AUKUS pledges, Aussie defense spending drops $1.5B, report says

Despite AUKUS pledges, Aussie defense spending drops $1.5B, report says
Despite AUKUS pledges, Aussie defense spending drops $1.5B, report says

A new report from a leading Australian thinktank says there’s a “disconnect” between Australia’s strategic priorities and the money to fund capabilities to tackle them.

The AI side of AUKUS: UK reveals ground-breaking, allied tech demo

The AI side of AUKUS: UK reveals ground-breaking, allied tech demo
The AI side of AUKUS: UK reveals ground-breaking, allied tech demo

The AI trial saw a wide range of air and ground vehicles tasked with testing target identification capabilities, as the allies cope with what the UK Ministry of Defence called a “rapidly evolving” strategic environment.

Australian watchdog blasts military on new warship decision

Australian watchdog blasts military on new warship decision
Australian watchdog blasts military on new warship decision

The Lucky Country’s national audit office says the Department of Defence didn’t follow proper protocol in making the multi-billion-dollar selection.

Australian budget: Historic defense spending, plus AU$1.2B on US-made missiles

Australian budget: Historic defense spending, plus AU$1.2B on US-made missiles
Australian budget: Historic defense spending, plus AU$1.2B on US-made missiles

Overall, the defense budget for the next year is set at AU$52.588 billion, the first time funding has exceeded AU$50 billion.

Aussie firm jumps in high-energy laser game, aiming for deals down under

Aussie firm jumps in high-energy laser game, aiming for deals down under
Aussie firm jumps in high-energy laser game, aiming for deals down under

Matt Jones, an executive at Electro Optic Systems, told Breaking Defense the company’s container-based 36-kilowatt laser is ready to deploy.