Overseas – Page 3 – CONTACT magazine

Two Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growlers and an F/A-18F Super Hornet queue up for fuel from an air-to-air refuelling tanker during Exercise Pitch Black 26. Photo by Leading Aircraftman Jamie Kohlmann.

Australia orders AIM-260 advanced air-to-air missiles

08/08/202608/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1087 Views 0 Comments

Australia is acquiring the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM), investing almost $736 million to equip the Royal Australian Air

An Australian Army soldier from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, alongside a Royal Brunei Land Forces soldier, conduct urban drills during Exercise Mallee Bull at Lavarack Barracks, Queensland. Photo by Private Alli Craig.

Asia Australian Army News

Diggers and Bruneians share tactics

08/08/202608/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 632 Views 0 Comments Brunei, Exercise Mallee Bull

Building clearances, two-man assault drills and urban navigation were the focus of what Australian and Brunei troops traded during Exercise

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet lands at RAAF Base Darwin following an Exercise Pitch Black 26 sortie. Photo by Warrant Officer Ricky Fuller.

News Rest of World Royal Australian Air Force Videos

Sun sets on Exercise Pitch Black 2026

08/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 901 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black

Exercise Pitch Black 26 concluded on 7 August after three weeks of high-intensity air-combat training in the skies over Australia’s

A NSW Rural Fire Service Boeing CH-47D Chinook heavy-lift helicopter is lined up with the ramp of a C-17A Globemaster bound for France at RAAF Base Richmond. Photo by Sergeant Dan Pinhorn.

Europe News Royal Australian Air Force

RAAF carries firefighters to France

04/08/202609/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1292 Views 0 Comments

At the request of the French government, the Royal Australian Air Force is supporting the Australian government’s response to recent

Exercise Pitch Black 2026 participating nations give the Northern Territory community an opportunity to engage with military personnel at a RAAF Base Darwin Open Day. Photo by Corporal Ryan Howell.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Pitch Black open day in Darwin

02/08/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1615 Views 0 Comments Exercise Pitch Black

A crowd of 25,500 people took the opportunity to meet Australian and international military personnel and see operational aircraft from

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 621 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 897 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)

A Royal Australian Air Force F/A-18F Super Hornet conducts an aerial display over Mindil Beach, Darwin as part of exercise Pitch Black 2026. Photo by Leading Aircraftwoman Nell Bradbury.

News Overseas Royal Australian Air Force

Air forces ignite sunset at Mindil Beach

30/07/202630/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1463 Views 0 Comments

As the sun sat low in the sky, tens of thousands of people took their place on Mindil Beach in

A Royal Australian Air Force aviator briefs Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers during a field activity on Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Photo by Private Alli Craig.

Australian Army Japan News USA Videos

Most complex Southern Jackaroo yet

25/07/202625/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 971 Views 0 Comments

Australian, Japanese and United States Marine Corps soldiers executed a complex combined-arms live fire to conclude Exercise Southern Jackaroo in

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 669 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 705 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

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 1738 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

New Zealand Army Reserve soldiers embark an a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH-90 as they deploy on exercise. NZDF photo supplied.

Australian Army New Zealand News Overseas

New Zealand hosts ANZAC reserves exercise

18/07/202618/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1812 Views 0 Comments

Nearly 500 New Zealand Army and Australian Army Reserve personnel will gather in Gore this week for 10 days of

The new Bushmaster 5.6 Mulga utility model on show at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris. Story by John Noble. Photos by Team Defence Australia..

Australian Army News Overseas

New Bushmaster on display at Paris tradeshow

17/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1779 Views 1 Comment

The Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle remains one of Australia’s strongest Defence exports with continuing international interest in its capability. CAPTION:

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 901 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

'T-wall' art in Tarin Kot, Afghanistan. Photo by Brian Hartigan

ADF Middle East News

Service to mark 25 years since start of Afghanistan campaign

15/07/202615/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 654 Views 0 Comments

A national commemoration service will be held in Canberra on Sunday, 11 October 2026 to honour the service and sacrifice

The new Chief of the Australian Army Lieutenant General Susan Coyle (left) with the Chief of the New Zealand Army Major General Rose King at Australian Army Headquarters, Canberra, sign a renewed Plan ANZAC. Photo. by Corporal Robert Whitmore.

Australian Army New Zealand News

Army chiefs renew Plan ANZAC

10/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 798 Views 0 Comments

The New Zealand Army has reinforced its long-standing commitment with Australia with the signing of the renewed Plan ANZAC in

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 811 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

An AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missile launches from the wing of an RNZAF P-8A Poseidon. RNZAF photo supplied.

New Zealand News Royal Australian Air Force USA

RNZAF P-8A Poseidon successfully launches Harpoon missiles

03/07/202604/07/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 850 Views 0 Comments

A Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-8A Poseidon has launched Harpoon missiles for the first time, during an international

Explosive ordnance technicians from the Australian Army, PNG Defence Force and Canadian Armed Forces prepare to remotely move explosive ordnance during Operation Render Safe in East New Britain, PNG. Story by Captain Annie Richardson. Photo by Sergeant Andrew Sleeman.

Australian Army News Pacific

Operation renders East New Britain safer

02/07/202602/07/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 742 Views 0 Comments Operation Render Safe, PNGDF, WWII

More than 2200 munitions were disposed of across East New Britain during Operation Render Safe 2026. CAPTION: Explosive ordnance technicians