Royal Australian Navy – CONTACT magazine

Navy launches new eye in the sky

03/10/202503/10/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 578 Views 0 Comments 822X Squadron, Integrator, Jervis Bay, Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS)

A sunny day in Jervis Bay was the backdrop for 822X Squadron’s first launch and recovery of Navy’s newest uncrewed

An Australian Army M1A2 Abrams main battle tank boards HMAS Adelaide during sea transportability trials at the Port of Townsville, Queensland. Story by Eamon McCaughan. Photo by Lieutenant Commander Anthony Martin

Australian Army News Royal Australian Navy

Army’s new armour makes waves at sea

30/09/202530/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 1099 Views 0 Comments 3rd Brigade, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), HMAS Adelaide, M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams

A trial conducted with HMAS Adelaide this month has demonstrated Navy’s ability to move some of Army’s newest and heaviest land combat

Bomana War Cemetery, located near Port Moresby, is the final resting place of more than 3300 Australians. Photos by Leading Seaman Daniel Goodman.

Australian Army History Lest We Forget Overseas Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Bomana visit a moving moment for ADF members

25/09/202527/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2910 Views 0 Comments HMAS Choules, Operation Wantaim, PNG, WWII

Two ADF members paid a special visit to their relatives’ graves at the Bomana War Cemetery in Papua New Guinea

From left, Flight Lieutenant Thomas Ure, Squadron Leader Dee Irwin and Sergeant Michelle Carmona outside the United Nations Mission in South Sudan Force Headquarters in Juba, South Sudan. Story and photo by Squadron Leader Benjamin Clarke.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Supporting peace from behind the scenes

25/09/202525/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 698 Views 0 Comments Operation Aslan, UN Peacekeeping

While peacekeeping operations often spotlight boots on the ground, it is the behind-the-scenes professionals who keep the mission moving. CAPTION:

HMAS Ballarat's boarding party approaches Royal Brunei Navy ship KDB Darulaman during a maritime exercise off the coast of Brunei Darussalam during Exercise Penguin. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photos by Leading Seaman Connor Morrison.

Asia News Royal Australian Navy

Australia and Brunei strengthen defence ties

23/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3482 Views 0 Comments Chief of Navy, Exercise Penguin, HMAS Ballarat, Royal Brunei Navy

For the first time since 2018, the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Brunei Navy have completed Exercise Penguin, a

Leading Seaman Aircrewman Jess Muir observes HMAS Ballarat during a South China Sea transit as part of Regional Presence Deployment 25-4. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior. Photo by Petty Officer Jacob Kambanaros.

News Royal Australian Navy

Frigate and flight find their rhythm

19/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4412 Views 0 Comments HMAS Ballarat, Regional Presence Deployment

HMAS Ballarat recently sailed from her home port in Western Australia on a three-month regional presence deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific.

Sales of Legacy bears support the annual national appeal to raise awareness and funds for the families of veterans who have given their life or health in service to our country. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel. Photo by Emma Taylor.

ADF People Australian Army Health and Wellbeing History Lest We Forget News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Annual fundraiser a big boost for Legacy

12/09/202512/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4936 Views 0 Comments Legacy Week, Vivian Bullwinkel

Across the country, sailors, soldiers and aviators took to the streets selling pin badges and bears to raise funds in

Comedian Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann is awarded the Australian Operational Service Medal (Civilian) by Deputy Theatre Commander Major General Paul Kenny in recognition 20 years of support to deployed troops. Story and photo by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Combat comic ‘Lehmo’ honoured

12/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4989 Views 3 Comments Afghanistan, Forces Entertainment Tour, Iraq, Middle East

Comedian Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann has been awarded the Australian Operational Service Medal (Civilian) in recognition of his two decades of

The crew of HMAS Ballarat hold a morning tea during their regional presence deployment to raise funds and awareness for R U OK? Day. Story and photo by Sub-Lieutenant Jake Badior.

ADF People Health and Wellbeing News Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Ballarat crew checks in on R U OK? Day

12/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3916 Views 0 Comments HMAS Ballarat, mental health, RUOK

The crew of HMAS Ballarat paused their busy regional presence deployment schedule to mark R U OK? Day at sea.

An Australian Army member from the Parachute Training School descend into Sir Hubert Murray Stadium from a PNG Defence Force aircraft during the Military Tattoo at Port Moresby. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Corporal Jack Pearce.

Australian Army News Pacific Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

Military Tattoo showcases unity for PNG50

12/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3719 Views 0 Comments PNG, PNGDF

Music, culture and fireworks lit up Sir Hubert Murray Stadium as Papua New Guinea hosted a Military Tattoo in the

Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy at at Fleet Base East in Sydney, inspect a Ghost Shark prototype before announcing the contract with Anduril Australia to acquire a new fleet of Australian designed and built extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles – known as Ghost Sharks – for the Royal Australian Navy. ADF photo by Kym Smith.

Australian News Royal Australian Navy Science & Technology Sovereign industry

Govt orders “dozens” of Oz-made Ghost Sharks

10/09/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1275 Views 4 Comments Anduril, Ghost Shark

The government is investing $1.7 billion to acquire a new fleet of Australian‑designed and built extra-large autonomous undersea vehicles –

Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez is the first Navy photographer awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross, acknowledging his dedication to capturing the stories of Australia's military personnel through imagery. Story by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel. Photo supplied.

ADF People Royal Australian Navy

From behind the lens and into the spotlight

09/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3857 Views 0 Comments

Leading Seaman Ernesto Sanchez is the first Navy photographer awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross, making him the most highly decorated

Australian Army personnel from the 4th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, join PNG Defence Force members in a ceremonial gun salute during the Fleet Review at APEC Haus, Port Moresby. Story by Captain Katy Manning. Photos by Corporal Jack Pearce.

News Overseas Royal Australian Navy

Fleet review, open day salute PNG independence

05/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 6150 Views 0 Comments 4th Regiment Royal Australian Artillery, HMAS Childers, HMAS Choules, PNG

Thousands lined the waterfront at APEC Haus in Port Moresby this week as naval crews stood to attention and ships

Commanding Officer ADV Cape Peron Lieutenant Commander Harrison Ingham with Maclean brothers, left to right, Ewan, Lachlan and Jamie, in Cairns, Queensland. Story and photos by Lieutenant Jessica Craig.

News Royal Australian Navy

Navy welcomes fellow mariners to Australia

02/09/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2678 Views 0 Comments Australian Border Force, Australian Defence Vessel Cape Peron, rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB)

The Royal Australian Navy was among the first to welcome the Scottish Maclean brothers to Australia after their 140-day rowing

New satellite communications equipment being installed on HMAS Sydney. Photo by Leading Seaman Abdus Chowdhury.

News Royal Australian Navy

RAN begins SATCOM transformation

30/08/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 3565 Views 0 Comments King Cobra SATCOM

A sweeping project to replace Navy’s satellite communications got underway in August with the upgrade of HMAS Sydney’s SATCOM capability

Australian Army News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy

ADFA open day 2025 the biggest yet

29/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 3448 Views 0 Comments ADFA

The Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) annual open day this month was an opportunity for prospective trainee officers, families, friends

Joint Positioning, Navigation and Timing Directorate team conduct GPS-denial testing during Exercise Talisman Sabre. Story by Cleo Arya. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Kate Smith.

Australian Army Cyber News Royal Australian Air Force Royal Australian Navy Space Division Talisman Sabre

Defence strengthens edge against GPS denial

27/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4922 Views 1 Comment Delamere Air Weapons Range, Exercise Talisman Sabre, Joint Positioning Navigation and Timing Directorate, RAAF Tindal

Defence has taken major steps to strengthen its warfighting edge with the establishment of the Joint Positioning, Navigation and Timing

Funeral Guard members, left to right, Leading Seaman Lindsey Young, Able Seaman Jake Clarke and Leading Seaman Bella Cummins, carry the coffin of Leading Stoker Des Jones, as Navy Chaplain David Hastie follows. Story by Lieutenant Commander Ben Robson. Photos by Lance Corporal Joseph Hess.

ADF People History Lest We Forget Royal Australian Navy

Last living link to tragedy of HMAS Canberra I

27/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4321 Views 0 Comments HMAS Canberra, HMAS Canberra (I), WWII

On a still and cloudy afternoon, Leading Stoker Des Jones was laid to rest, carried to his gravesite on the

Lieutenant Steven Taylor holds his artwork designed for the Submarine Training and Systems Centre at HMAS Stirling. Story by Chief Petty Officer Maryanne Rowbottom. Photo supplied.

News Royal Australian Navy

Indigenous art for submarine training centre

22/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 2948 Views 0 Comments HMAS Stirling, Submarine Training and Systems Centre (STSC)

Navy’s Training Authority – Submarines (TA-SM) has unveiled a new artwork at the Submarine Training and Systems Centre (STSC) at

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey with Dr Michael Sharp at a Defence Science and Technology Group display on board HMS Prince of Wales. Photo by Jay Cronan.

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

Australia, UK partner on guided weapons R&D

22/08/2025 Posted by Mike Hughes 4200 Views 0 Comments DSTG, Minister for Defence

The adoption of novel weapons and tactics in today’s battlespace is happening at an extremely rapid rate. CAPTION: Australian Deputy Prime

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