ADF – CONTACT magazine

New (right) air-traffic control tower construction at RAAF Base Darwin, adjacent to the old tower (left), which will eventually be demolished. Photo by Sergeant Ben Dempster.

OneSKY mega-delay remains ‘a concern’

12/06/202612/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 336 Views 0 Comments

Defence convened a Project of Concern Summit in Canberra this week to discuss the Civil Military Air Traffic Management System

Marines from the 3rd Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, stand ready to load M795 high explosive rounds into an M777 lightweight 155mm howitzer during a live-fire exercise in California. US Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Sean Searfus, 1st Marine Division.

ADF News Sovereign industry

Govt’s new announcement on 155mm production

09/06/202609/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 525 Views 0 Comments M795

The Albanese Government has finally signed a $72 million contract with Rheinmetall NIOA Munitions to establish a new forging capability

An Australian Defence Force member delivers a training brief to Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel during a platoon and company sergeants' battle course on Operation KUDU 26. Photo by Sergeant Samuel Miller.

ADF Europe News

Australia moving Ukraine trainers to Poland

04/06/202604/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 725 Views 0 Comments Operation Kudu, Poland, Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF)

Australian Defence Force personnel will henceforth train Ukrainian soldiers in Poland as part of Australia’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine’s

Australian Defence Force personnel demonstrate a training serial for Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel during a section commanders' battle course on Operation KUDU 26. Photo by Sergeant Samuel Miller.

ADF News UK

Australians continue to train Ukrainians

23/05/202627/05/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 417 Views 0 Comments Armed Forces of Ukraine, Operation Kudu

Trench lines stretch across the training area as drones buzz overhead – a constant reminder that modern warfare demands more

ADF News Police Veterans

New medal for Timor vets

09/05/202609/05/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2 Views 0 Comments

The Australian Government has accepted a generous offer from the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Jose Ramos-Horta to

ADF News

New Secretary of Defence

02/05/202602/05/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 693 Views 0 Comments

“I am pleased to announce I intend to recommend to the Governor-General that she appoint Ms Meghan Quinn as Secretary of

HMAS Sydney fires the Royal Australian Navy’s first Naval Strike Missile off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii as a part of Exercise RIMPAC 2024. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

ADF Australian Army Cyber MRF-D News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Space Division

Defence prepares for new National Defence Strategy

15/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 668 Views 0 Comments Chief of Defence Force

A bigger, stronger and more lethal Defence Force is better placed to defend Australia and its interests, according to Chief

Chief prof Army nominee Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, Defence Minister Richard Marles, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Chief of Defence Force nominee Admiral Mark Hammond and Chief of Navy nominee Rear Admiral Mathew Buckley, after the change of leadership announcement in Canberra. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite.

ADF ADF People Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

New ADF leaders announced

13/04/202614/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 768 Views 2 Comments

The Australian government today announced a number of senior command changes within the Australian Defence Force. Subject to the Governor

Australian ADF reservist Vincent Tran under arrest for fighting in Ukraine contrary to Defence regulations. Screengrab from official AFP video.

ADF Europe News

Army reservist charged with breaching Defence legislation after allegedly fighting in Ukraine

08/04/202608/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 741 Views 5 Comments Armed Forces of Ukraine

An Australian Army reservist was scheduled to face Adelaide Magistrates Court on 7 April 2026, charged with breaching Defence legislation

A new milestone project will focus on turning operational waste into usable power. Story by Carolyn Bishop.

ADF Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Defence project powers waste-to-energy innovation

27/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 495 Views 0 Comments ADSUN

A new multi-state research collaboration is advancing innovative waste-to-energy (WtE) solutions to support Defence operations across northern Australia. CAPTION: A

The Tunnel display at the More, Together Awards and Summit Awards at a previous Australian Defence Science Technology and Research Summit. Story by Rachelle Todd. Photo by Navin Chandra.

ADF Australian Army Cyber MRF-D News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Space Division

ADSTAR summit to focus on accelerating capability

27/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 364 Views 0 Comments

Leading researchers, industry partners and defence specialists are preparing for the 2026 Australian Defence Science, Technology and Research (ADSTAR) Summit.

Visiting Fellow from Griffith Asia Institute, Dr Peter Layton, presents Heterogenous Air Power at War during the Air and Space Power Conference 2026, Canberra. Story by Ms Emma Taylor.

ADF Australian Army Cyber News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Space Division

Sweden’s whole of society approach to defence

19/03/202619/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 421 Views 0 Comments Air and Space Power Conference, Chief of Air Force

Contemporary lessons and insights were at the forefront of this year’s Air and Space Power Conference 2026. CAPTION: Visiting Fellow

A simulated IED detonates at an Australian training facility in the Middle East. Photo by Petty Officer Phil Cullinan.

ADF Middle East News

Australia’s base in Middle East hit

18/03/202618/03/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 742 Views 0 Comments

On the morning of 18 March 2026 (AEDT), an Iranian strike impacted an area at the Al Minhad Air Base

Aerial imagery of Henderson, Western Australia. Story by Meggan Pigram. Photo by Ventia.

ADF News Royal Australian Navy Sovereign industry

Design contract let for Henderson Defence Precinct

13/03/202615/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1000 Views 3 Comments

The delivery of the Henderson Defence Precinct has taken a significant step forward with the design services consultancy contract awarded

ADF News Veterans

New fight over medicinal cannabis

25/02/202625/02/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2094 Views 2 Comments

This week, CONTACT received a well-worded and seemingly legitimate plea for action in defiance of a new DVA ruling on

Photos by Christabel Migliorini. Follow Chrissie on Instagram.

ADF News Overseas

Edinburgh Tattoo hits Brisbane

14/02/202617/02/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1384 Views 0 Comments

Tartan, kilts, pipe bands and breathtaking cultural displays from around the world mean only one thing – the Royal Edinburgh

Defence Science and Technology Group’s molecular biologist Natalie Withington, uses the RASTRUM Allegro 3D cell bioprinter to grow organoids. Story by David Kilmartin. Photo by Megan Sheppard.

ADF ADF People Health and Wellbeing Science & Technology

Printing mini livers to save lives

10/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1041 Views 0 Comments DSTG

When personnel are exposed (or potentially exposed) to chemical threats, they’re treated with countermeasures known as oximes. CAPTION: Defence Science