Thales Australia and Norwegian firm Nammo have signed a long-term strategic teaming agreement to cooperate in the ordnance market.

BAE Systems Australia has won an extension to its existing Hawk Lead-In Fighter support contract, which will reduce the cost to Defence. The company says this shows smart sustainment and LEAN practices can deliver the SRP savings Defence seeks.

Defence has extended until the end of 2012 its contract with Canadian firm MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates to operate the Heron UAV on behalf of the ADF.

Opportunities to drive, or be driven in, modern military vehicles are rare in Australia. ADM recently got the chance to experience Thales’s Hawkei contender for Project Land 121 Ph.4 as well as a range of Mercedes-Benz vehicles either offered to or ordered by the ADF.

Responses are due next month to a call for expressions of interest in the Domestic Munitions Manufacturing Arrangement, or DMMA. This long-term project must balance value for money with strategic necessity.

As widely expected, Defence has chosen the MH-60R ‘Romeo’ Seahawk over Eurocopter’s NH90 NFH to replace the Navy’s ageing fleet of 16 S-70A Seahawks.

The contractual airworthiness certification paperwork, and the ITAR constraints surrounding the arrival of the Airbus Military KC-30A at Amberley don’t detract from the sheer capability of this all-new aircraft, for which IOC is due next year.

The recent changes within Simulation Australia resulted in a strong trade show and a group of keynote speakers who made SimTecT 2011 worth the price of entry for Australian and overseas training and simulation companies.

Defence has signed the $133 million contract with Thales Australia for an additional 101 Bushmaster vehicles, together with associated support.

Austal has been named the preferred tenderer as prime contractor for the design, construction and through-life support of eight new vessels for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Saab Bofors Dynamics has developed an innovative, tactical 3D Mapping system which enables artillery forward observers and forward air controllers to identify targets and call in fire with very high precision and accuracy.

Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) is such an intangible asset but one that is increasingly shaping the battlespace at all levels from domestic through to international coalition operations.

The Minister for Defence, Stephen Smith, has announced two initiatives aimed at enhancing civilian access to military facilities in Australia.

The RAN has taken another tentative step towards developing a sea-going UAV requirement. Bit it took some engine and fuel development by the UAV manufacturer, InSitu Pacific, to make it possible.

With the ADF about to start looking for a new training helicopter under Project Air 9000 Ph.7, the RNZAF’s experience with its new AW109 training/light utility helicopter may be instructive. The AW109 is a contender for the ADF program.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Defence Minister Stephen Smith have named the new ADF and service Chiefs, whose appointments take effect from 4 July for a period of three years.