Royal Australian Navy – CONTACT magazine

A Royal Australian Navy officer completes the 2026 Australian Bureau of Statistics Census in HMAS Perth during her Indo-Pacific Regional Presence Deployment. Photo by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

Census on the high seas

20/08/202620/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 272 Views 0 Comments

For most people, this year’s census was filled out at home, on the couch or in the study – but,

STS Young Endeavour II alongside Birdon Shipyard at Port Macquarie, New South Wales. Photo by Able Seaman Jayden Fahy.

News Royal Australian Navy Sovereign industry

New masts for new Young Endeavour

20/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 408 Views 0 Comments

Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour II recently celebrated two major construction milestones – the vessel’s launch and successful placement of its three

A United States Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey from the Marine Rotational Force - Darwin lands on board HMAS Canberra as part of a force integration training exercise off Queensland, Australia. Photo by Lieutenant Peter Allen.

MRF-D News Royal Australian Navy

Osprey lands on HMAS Canberra

08/08/202608/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 516 Views 1 Comment

US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft from the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) recently undertook force integration training with

Vanuatu Mobile Force Lance Corporal Larry Qara, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department Police Constable Barnabas Talo and Royal Australian Navy sailor, Leading Seaman Clearance Diver Bradley Fox discuss explosive ordnance disposal techniques at Cook Barracks in Port Vila, Vanuatu, during Operation Render Safe 26-2. Photo by Petty Officer Daniel Goodman.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Disposing of UXO in Solomon Islands

30/07/202630/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 465 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe

No one knows exactly how many bombs left over from World War II are in Solomon Islands, but those working

HMAS Sydney (V) conducts a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) firing during RIMPAC 2026, off the coast of Hawaii, United States. Photo by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Royal Australian Navy USA

HMAS Sydney flexes missile muscle

30/07/202630/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 707 Views 0 Comments

HMAS Sydney fired a Naval Strike Missile (NSM) as part of a multinational sinking exercise during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)

Aerial photo of Henderson, Western Australia. Supplied by Ventia.

News Royal Australian Navy

Star-ranked officer faces court martial

26/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1197 Views 0 Comments

Media reporting this week says a former star-ranked Royal Australian Navy officer will face a court martial in September. The

HMAS Sydney (V) conducts a 5-inch Mark 45 62-calibre gun serial during the RIMPAC 2026 sea phase. Photo by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Exciting shoot for HMAS Sydney on RIMPAC Rodeo

25/07/202626/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 526 Views 0 Comments HMAS Sydney (V), RIMPAC

HMAS Sydney took part in the ‘RIMPAC Rodeo’, an international naval gunfire support serial during the sea phase of Exercise

Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Regina, Royal New Zealand Navy Polar-class auxiliary ship HMNZS Aotearoa and Royal Australian Navy Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Sydney conduct a dual replenishment at sea during the sea during RIMPAC 2026 off the coast of Hawaii. Photo by Leading Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

New Zealand News Royal Australian Navy USA

Friends sail together at RIMPAC*

24/07/202624/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 549 Views 0 Comments

HMAS Sydney rendezvoused with good friends and partner nations during the sea phase of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) in the

The flying launch and recovery system (FLARES) carries an Integrator UAV to launch altitude during a vertical-take-off-and-landing (VTOL) capability display at Jervis Bay Airfield. Photo by Leading Seaman Danyellah Hill.

News Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology

New long-range drone takes off for Navy

23/07/202623/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1222 Views 1 Comment

Royal Australian Navy’s 822X Squadron has flown the A-61 Integrator tactical uncrewed aerial system for the first time, marking a

Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers from HMAS Yarra and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Department personnel dive to the wreck of the Kinugawa Maru near Honiara, Solomon Islands, during Operation Render Safe. Photographer unknown.

News Overseas Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Diving for lethal treasure

19/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 882 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe

ADF and Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) experts discovered more than 11 tonnes of World

Commander Submarine Force Commodore Daniel Sutherland and Commodore Flotillas Commodore Simon Howard open the new submarine bridge simulator during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Submarine Training and Systems Centre, HMAS Stirling. Story by Lieutenant Joshua Sewell. Photo by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

News Royal Australian Navy

New simulator boosts submarine readiness

15/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 678 Views 0 Comments HMAS Stirling, simulation facility, Submarine Training and Systems Centre (STSC)

The Submarine Training and Systems Centre (STSC) at HMAS Stirling has officially opened a new submarine bridge simulator, enhancing the way submariners

The MQ-28A Ghost Bat demonstrates integration with other platforms during Exercise Valiant Shield. Story by Squadron Leader Shaun Donnelly. Photo by Senior Airman Austin Salazar, US Air Force.

News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Ghost features at US Exercise Valiant Shield

15/07/202617/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 761 Views 0 Comments Exercise Valiant Shield, MQ-28A Ghost Bat

The future of Indo-Pacific defence and security was put to the test during Exercise Valiant Shield. CAPTION: The MQ-28A Ghost

Sergeant Bradlee Ledger, Lieutenant Odette Swaine and Flight Lieutenant Saurav Kataria during a demonstration of the air delivery drone known as Aladdin at RAAF Base Edinburgh, SA. Story by Flight Lieutenant Holly Ryan. Photo by Flight Sergeant Rob Hack.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology

Cargo drone launched from C-130

10/07/202612/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 567 Views 0 Comments aladdin, drone, Exercise Jericho Dawn, RAAF Edinburgh

The successful launch of an air delivery drone, known as Aladdin, from a C-130J Hercules has demonstrated how emerging technologies

The crew of HMAS Diamantina salute during a wreath-laying ceremony honouring those lost aboard HMAS Canberra I during World War II near Honiara, the Solomon Islands. Story by Captain Jacob Joseph.

Lest We Forget News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Powerful reminder of service and sacrifice

09/07/202609/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 690 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, HMAS Canberra (I), HMAS Diamantina, Operation Render Safe, Solomon Islands, WWII

Able Seaman P.D. Mackintosh was at his aircraft defence post when he saw two torpedoes streak past the port side

HMAS Diamantina sails ahead of HMAS Yarra as the ships depart Cairns during Operation Render Safe. Story and photo by Captain Jacob Joseph.

History News Pacific Royal Australian Navy

Minehunter crews eager to help

26/06/202626/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 913 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, HMAS Diamantina, HMAS Yarra, Huon-class Minehunter, Operation Render Safe, Tuvalu

A Royal Australian Navy task unit departed Cairns on June 19, bound for the Pacific nation of Tuvalu to search

Defence scientists test emerging sensor technologies to build a clearer picture of the coastal environment during a recent trial. Story by Robert Nutbrown.

ADF Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Beach survey teams assess new tech

26/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 785 Views 0 Comments DSTG, Littoral Manoeuvre Group

Defence scientists are working closely with the Australian Defence Force to strengthen Army’s ability to operate in coastal areas. CAPTION:

The next generation of aviation warfighters graduates at HMAS Albatross. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Dishant Shah.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

New cohort of pilots graduate

26/06/202628/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 792 Views 0 Comments HMAS Albatross, No. 723 Squadron

The Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army welcomed a new cohort of aviation professionals last month following the Joint Helicopter

Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Peta Binns.

Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

New initiative strengthens health care at sea

26/06/202626/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 715 Views 0 Comments Young Endeavour

A new health support initiative from the Fleet Health Directorate has enhanced medical care for more than 300 young Australians

HMAS Moreton hosts a 100th birthday celebration for World War II veteran Doris Fay Royle. Story by Lieutenant Michael Wilson. Photos by Warrant Officer Shane Cameron.

ADF People History Royal Australian Navy

A century of service and spirit

25/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 753 Views 0 Comments

HMAS Moreton welcomed one of its earliest members home on June 16, as World War II veteran Doris Fay Royle marked her

HMAS Toowoomba sails past an offshore oil platform in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Western Australia. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photo by Leading Seaman Dominic Turkalj.

News Royal Australian Navy

Keeping an eye on reserves at sea

25/06/202628/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 812 Views 0 Comments HMAS Toowoomba

After HMAS Toowoomba’s recent regional presence deployment, navigator Lieutenant Harrison Rees said the North West Shelf Project was a welcome sight for

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