Sovereign industry – CONTACT magazine

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.

Govt’s new announcement on 155mm production

09/06/202609/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 342 Views 0 Comments M795

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

Members of ship’s company on parade during the commissioning of HMAS Eyre at HMAS Stirling, WA. Story by Lieutenant Mark Tesoriero. Photos by Able Seaman Jayden Fahy.

News Royal Australian Navy Sovereign industry

HMAS Eyre commissioned

05/06/202607/06/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 7184 Views 1 Comment Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels (ACOPV), Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling, HMAS Eyre

Australia’s maritime frontline has been strengthened with the commissioning of HMAS Eyre in a ceremony at Fleet Base West. CAPTION: Members of

Multi-mission reconnaissance Bravo craft delivered to the United States Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton, California. Image supplied.

Australian News Sovereign industry USA

Australia’s Whiskey Project wins USMC contract

02/06/202602/06/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 805 Views 0 Comments

The Whiskey Project Group (TWPG), manufacturer of next-generation multi-mission reconnaissance and tactical watercraft, has been awarded a contract to build

Australian company Operator XR's MR-1 mixed-reality training system being put through its paces. Image supplied.

News Sovereign industry

Aussie company sells VR training to US and NATO customers

29/05/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 593 Views 0 Comments Operator XR

Australian company Operator XR has released its MR-1, next-generation mixed-reality training system and is already winning customers overseas. CAPTION: Australian

A Bushmaster makes a beach landing during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Photo by Leading Seaman Susan Mossop.

Australian Army News Sovereign industry

Hundreds of new Bushmasters ordered

27/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 887 Views 4 Comments Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, Hawkei

The government is investing $750 million to deliver a pipeline of Bushmasters for the Australian Defence Force’s fleet of protected

The first Australian-manufactured guided multiple launch rocket system missiles are test fired at the Woomera Test Range in South Australia. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photo by Andrew Green.

Australian Army News Science & Technology Sovereign industry

Aussie engineers fire fruit of their labour

22/04/202626/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 519 Views 0 Comments GMLRS, Lockheed Martin Australia, Woomera Test Range

Ahead of the first firing of Australian-made long-range strike missiles, Australian engineers at the Port Wakefield manufacturing facility have been

From left, Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Stephen Chappell, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Deputy Secretary Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group Chris Deeble during a Defence Science and Technology Capability showcase in Canberra. Photo by Rodney Braithwaite.

News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Sovereign industry

Australia supports Canada’s Arctic radar plans

09/04/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 498 Views 0 Comments BAE Systems, canada, Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group (CASG), Chief of Air Force, DST, JORN

Australia’s world-leading Jindalee Operational Radar Network (JORN) is set to play a central role in Canada’s ambitions to build the

An Australian Army AH-64E Apache from the 1st Aviation Regiment, flies at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, 27 November 2025. Photo by Sergeant Jarrod McAneney.

Australian News Sovereign industry

NIOA sets sights on Apache ammo supply

01/04/2026 Posted by Brian Hartigan 583 Views 0 Comments AH-64E Apache, NIOA

Australian weapons and munitions prime NIOA and US aerospace and defence company General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) have

Journalists from Polynesia and Micronesia, along with staff from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, stand on the helipad of ADV Reliant at Garden Island, NSW. Story by Sub-Lieutenant Jonathan Rendell. Photos by Able Seaman Taylor Johnson.

News Royal Australian Navy Sovereign industry

Developing Reliant friendships

27/03/202627/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 334 Views 0 Comments Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, HMAS Kuttabul

A group of journalists from across Micronesia and Polynesia visited HMAS Kuttabul, Sydney, in March for a bespoke tour of the

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 998 Views 3 Comments

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

A soldier from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment aligns the transmitter from the Enhanced Personal Area Network during a live integrated systems display at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland. Story by Leading Aircraftman Chris Tsakisiris. Photos by Lance Corporal Jessica Gray.

Australian Army News Science & Technology Sovereign industry

New system sharpens training realism

13/03/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 630 Views 0 Comments 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Enhanced Personal Area Network (EPAN), Exercise Keldie Cup

A new system that allows soldiers and vehicles to simulate hits, casualties and damage during training was used on Exercise

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart at Henderson shipyard, Western Australia, after the contract signing ceremony for the eight landing craft heavy vessels. Story by Major Peter Nugent. Photos by Corporal Nakia Chapman.

Australian Army News Sovereign industry

New landing craft heavy for Army

25/02/202628/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 946 Views 3 Comments Chief of Army, Henderson WA, Landing Craft Heavy, National Defence Strategy (NDS)

Army’s ability to fight and win in the littoral is one step closer with the signing of a $4 billion agreement

The MQ-4C Triton in the new hangar at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory. Story by Flight Lieutenant Kayla Walliss. Photos by Leading Aircraftwoman Halley Van Essen.

News Royal Australian Air Force Sovereign industry

Strengthening northern air power

12/02/202612/02/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 869 Views 0 Comments MQ-4C Trition, No. 9 Squadron, RAAF Edinburgh, RAAF Tindal, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group

The recent completion of the new MQ‑4C Triton facilities at RAAF Base Tindal is a major boost to Australia’s northern

Soldiers from 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment conduct live-fire training at the new marksmanship training range at Greenbank Training Area, Queensland. Story by Corporal Michael Rogers. Photos by Corporal Janet Pan.

Australian Army News Sovereign industry

New training range sets high mark

29/01/202629/01/2026 Posted by Mike Hughes 1407 Views 1 Comment 2nd/14th Light Horse Regiment, Greenbank Training Area, marksmanship training

A former infantry soldier has helped deliver a new Army training capability with the opening of a 600-metre marksmanship training

A Lockheed Martin employee handling a HIMARS missile at Port Wakefield. Lockheed Martin video screen grab.

Australian Army News Sovereign industry

Lockheed Martin commences missile assembly at Port Wakefield

12/12/202512/12/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2233 Views 0 Comments

Lockheed Martin Australia, in partnership with Defence, has commenced operations in a new Missile Assembly Facility in Port Wakefield, South

An Australian designed and built MQ-28A Ghost Bat fires an AIM-120 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile during Trial Kareela at RAAF Base Woomera, South Australia. RAAF image.

Australian News Royal Australian Air Force Science & Technology Sovereign industry

MQ-28A Ghost Bat wins big after live fire

10/12/202510/12/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2295 Views 0 Comments

The Australian government will invest approximately $1.4 billion to transition the MQ-28A Ghost Bat into a fully operational war-fighting asset

Director General Integrated Soldier System Branch, Brigadier Pat Murray, and NIOA’s General Manager - Weapons and Munitions, Mick Ahern, ink the new small arms support contract. Photo supplied by NIOA.

ADF News Sovereign industry

NIOA, Defence sign long-term small arms support contract

25/11/202525/11/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 1519 Views 0 Comments

NIOA has signed a new long-term small arms support contract with the Australian Department of Defence. CAPTION: Director General Integrated

Hanwha Defence Australia Redback infantry fighting vehicle, with R400 remote weapon system by EOS on top, at Russell Offices, Canberra. Photo by Andrew Green.

Australian Army News Sovereign industry

EOS contracted for Redback remote weapon system

08/10/202508/10/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 2288 Views 0 Comments

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (EOS) has been awarded a contract to supply remote weapon systems (RWS) for the Australian

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

AUKUS News Sovereign industry

Billion$ for Henderson upgrade

14/09/2025 Posted by Brian Hartigan 5872 Views 0 Comments Henderson

The government will provide $12 billion towards delivering a Defence Precinct at Henderson to deliver continuous naval shipbuilding and AUKUS

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 2717 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 –

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