Mil News Australia, NZ, Oceania Military News

[BravoZulu]

Construction will begin on Boeing’s new production facility in Toowoomba, Queensland, to support the manufacture of Australia’s first military combat aircraft designed and developed in over 50 years – the MQ-28 Ghost Bat.

The 9,000 square-metre facility at the Wellcamp Aerospace and Defence Precinct is expected to be operational in the next three years. The company’s latest investment in Australia will bring new aerospace skillsets and technologies, such as advanced composites manufacturing and robotics to Queensland.

“Boeing Australia is investing to bring this innovative, uncrewed capability to market in the timeframe that supports our customers’ future needs,” said Amy List, managing director, Boeing Defence Australia. “The MQ-28 is designed to transform air combat and provide affordable mass for Australia and our allies.”

“We’re partnering with the Queensland Government and Wagner Corporation to build Boeing’s first final assembly facility outside of North America – which is indicative of our global focus and a continued commitment to a sustainable and robust Australian aerospace industry.”

Wagner Corporation will develop and manage construction of the facility at their Toowoomba precinct using sustainable construction methods, and work with Boeing to incorporate renewable technologies and human-centric design.

The MQ-28 production facility will include aerospace manufacturing capabilities, including carbon fibre composites manufacture, along with advanced robotic assembly for major components, and final assembly and test capabilities.
https://www.boeing.com.au/news/2024/new-boeing-mq-28-production-facility-begins-construction-in-quee

 

[TheKiwi]

The (NZ) Ministry of Defence is hunting for new helicopters to replace the Navy’s ageing Seasprite fleet. A multi-national defence giant has stepped up its campaign for New Zealand to select its state-of-the-art submarine-hunting choppers, but could Government cost-cutting ground the project? George Block reports.

As mission-readiness rates drop for military aircraft amid a shortage of skilled staff and ageing airframes, an Italian defence conglomerate has begun lobbying for New Zealand to buy a fleet of its naval helicopters.

The Herald can reveal Leonardo, one of the world’s largest defence contractors, has been courting Kiwi companies and signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with local firms, including Beca and Core Aviation on the North Shore.

Leonardo wants New Zealand to select its AW159 Wildcats as the country’s new naval ship-borne helicopters to replace the ageing Seasprites.
The head of its UK helicopter division visited this country last week, where he pledged to establish a “Wildcat support centre” in Auckland, bringing more than 40 jobs, if its choppers are chosen.

Last year, the Seasprites had a serviceability rate - meaning mission readiness - of just 19 per cent. In 2019 their serviceability was 38 per cent, falling to 30 per cent the following year, 22 per cent in 2021, and 17 per cent in 2022, according to figures released by Defence under the Official Information Act.

More at: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/navy-...maritime-aircraft/3LXTWSLPVRH7FAIZ3LQ2OSPU4I/

Non-Paywall version: https://archive.ph/YRu5P

 

[av405]

Leonardo wants New Zealand to select its AW159 Wildcats as the country’s new naval ship-borne helicopters to replace the ageing Seasprites.
The head of its UK helicopter division visited this country last week, where he pledged to establish a “Wildcat support centre” in Auckland, bringing more than 40 jobs, if its choppers are chosen.

What are your thoughts? I'm guessing Seahawks would be the best option in a perfect world?

 

[OldGuy]

What are your thoughts? I'm guessing Seahawks would be the best option in a perfect world?

Parts, training and lots of it, which goes right back to Fort Rucker, my old 13th Combat Aviation Bn still going strong providing the Maintenance training for the Blackhawk.

 

[TheKiwi]

What are your thoughts? I'm guessing Seahawks would be the best option in a perfect world?

A lot of it will depend on what the government selects as the replacement for the current ANZAC class frigates. If we go with the same model as Australia then we should go down the Sea Hawk route to maintain commonality. If on the other hand we select a different (probably cheaper and smaller) model to replace the ANZACs then the Wildcat may well be a good choice.

 

[gafkiwi]

A lot of it will depend on what the government selects as the replacement for the current ANZAC class frigates. If we go with the same model as Australia then we should go down the Sea Hawk route to maintain commonality. If on the other hand we select a different (probably cheaper and smaller) model to replace the ANZACs then the Wildcat may well be a good choice.

One of the possible short comings of the Wildcat would be how much it can carry both internally and underslung. Some of the key tasks of the RNZN Super Seasprites is stores carry/ replen, pretty important for disaster relief and support to other Govt agencies. The Wildcats would need to do almost double the amount of flights to achieve what the Kamans are doing now.
In regards to ships they would've hopefully learnt from the HMNZS Endeavour. Don't select a ship with a helo deck/facilities only capable of a smaller helo (Wasp) only to replace the Helo soon after with something that is too heavy for the flight deck. Bonus though being the crew ends up with an over sized gym and exercise area from the unused hanger and helo deck.

 

[BravoZulu]

Australia will spend a record US $36.8 billion on defence during the next fiscal year, according to budget documents unveiled May 14. The figure equates to 2.02% of gross domestic product and represents a 6.3% increase from last year.

The Australian authorities will increase spending on the production of weapons and strengthening the combat capability of the armed forces to 2.3% of GDP by 2034

The federal budget for 2024-2025 (to be approved by Parliament before July 1) "provides for an increase in funding for the Ministry of Defence by more than 50 billion Australian dollars ($ 33.2 billion) until 2034."

"This will ensure the overall growth of Australia's defence spending to more than 2.3% of GDP in the next 10 years and will help create a combat-ready armed forces that will ensure the country's security in the future," Marles said, noting that the total amount of funding provided for the Australian Armed Forces for the next 10 years will exceed 764.6 billion Australian dollars dollars ($507.7 billion).

The minister said that within the framework of the defence budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, additional funds will be directed, among other things, to the development and modernization of the surface combat fleet ($7.3 billion), strengthening air defence systems ($665 million) and creating new jobs for the defence industry and the army ($197 million). Financing of "international military support" is also provided, within the framework of which 144.3 million Australian dollars ($96 million) are planned to be allocated for additional military support to Ukraine.

According to the State Treasury, the Australian defence budget (including the cost of maintaining the Ministry of Defence and the National Directorate of Special Communications, which is part of its structure) in the 2023-2024 financial year is 52.6 billion Australian dollars (about $35 billion), which is 2.1% of GDP.

 

[TheKiwi]

RNZN Helicopter decision

Another defence giant is throwing its hat in the ring to replace the Navy’s ageing helicopter fleet, as lobbying for the lucrative project gears up. But how much the Government will commit to the project remains up in the air. George Block reports.
Airbus is set to offer the naval version of the NH-90 helicopters already operated by the Air Force to replace the Navy’s ageing fleet of Seasprites.

The European defence consortium has joined Italian aerospace giant Leonardo in going public with its intention to offer its aircraft for the maritime helicopter replacement project.
Senior managers from Airbus’ helicopter division were in the country this month and told the Herald the NH-90 NFH (Nato Frigate Helicopter) was the best option for the Royal NZ Navy. The managers cited the range, versatility and interoperability of the NFHs with the existing fleet of NH-90s. They rejected concerns arising from the early withdrawal of the helicopter type by Norway and Australia amid maintenance and serviceability issues, saying the Norwegians used a highly customised variant.

Meanwhile, the Americans have hinted they are also throwing their hat in the ring.

New NZ Navy helicopters: Three contenders emerge as defence lobbying ramps up

Airbus has thrown its hat in the ring and is offering the maritime version of the NH-90s.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Non paywall version: https://archive.ph/oiV4B

The NH consortium really do appear to be living in denial but despite that nothing would surprise me less than the naval NH-90 being selected as otherwise some senior defence personnel might have to admit that they got it wrong buying it in the first place.

 

[Fluff]

RNZN Helicopter decision

Another defence giant is throwing its hat in the ring to replace the Navy’s ageing helicopter fleet, as lobbying for the lucrative project gears up. But how much the Government will commit to the project remains up in the air. George Block reports.
Airbus is set to offer the naval version of the NH-90 helicopters already operated by the Air Force to replace the Navy’s ageing fleet of Seasprites.

The European defence consortium has joined Italian aerospace giant Leonardo in going public with its intention to offer its aircraft for the maritime helicopter replacement project.
Senior managers from Airbus’ helicopter division were in the country this month and told the Herald the NH-90 NFH (Nato Frigate Helicopter) was the best option for the Royal NZ Navy. The managers cited the range, versatility and interoperability of the NFHs with the existing fleet of NH-90s. They rejected concerns arising from the early withdrawal of the helicopter type by Norway and Australia amid maintenance and serviceability issues, saying the Norwegians used a highly customised variant.

Meanwhile, the Americans have hinted they are also throwing their hat in the ring.

New NZ Navy helicopters: Three contenders emerge as defence lobbying ramps up

Airbus has thrown its hat in the ring and is offering the maritime version of the NH-90s.

www.nzherald.co.nz

Non paywall version: https://archive.ph/oiV4B

The NH consortium really do appear to be living in denial but despite that nothing would surprise me less than the naval NH-90 being selected as otherwise some senior defence personnel might have to admit that they got it wrong buying it in the first place.

I would only accept a type already in service, in the ship based role. Which is Seahawk, or wildcat. Ideally NZ would choose its next ship first, and integrate both. Nh90 might be fine. But 2 rich users have found them to be pants.

 

[BravoZulu]

While Australian defence policy looks north, Kiwis focus west.

New Zealand has always benefited from strategic isolation and the distance from international conflicts. But as global dangers increase, the reality of the geo-political situation is cutting through in New Zealand’s public discourse. With the active aggression of totalitarian powers like China and Russia causing disruption, New Zealand is waking up the threats they pose to the international order.

That’s a good thing for Australia, creating a stronger, more engaged partner to work with in the Pacific and on regional security arrangements.

Awareness of the threat that China and Russia pose has evolved in the past 10 years. In June 2022, then Labour prime minister Jacinda Ardern attended the NATO Summit, calling her participation a ‘rare thing’. She condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said ‘China’s increasing assertiveness is resulting in geopolitical change and competition.’ This mild comment provoked the strong rebuke from Beijing that her comments were ‘unhelpful, regrettable and wrong.’ Her open criticism was a shift from a foreign policy that had been closely tied to protecting the strong trading relationship with China.

This shift continued under Chris Hipkins, who replaced Ardern as prime minister until Labour lost office in November. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade released a strategic foreign policy assessment, ‘Navigating a shifting world’, in July 2023. And Hipkins’s defence minister, Andrew Little, said ‘In 2023, we do not live in a benign strategic environment’ as he unveiled a Defence Policy Strategy Statement that achieved cross-party support.

With a three-party centre-right coalition government now in office, there is a growing recognition that New Zealand will need to spend more on defence. This is challenging due to excessive pandemic spending that has left a legacy of a bloated public service and a structural fiscal deficit. But on 10 May the government said money from cost-cutting elsewhere in the Defence budget would be recycled back into Defence rather than being subsumed by fiscal consolidation.

All parties in the new government have made positive statements about New Zealand reaching the NATO standard of spending 2 percent of gross domestic product on defence. New Zealand last achieved this level in 1992, and spending has continued to decline in recent decades. Currently sitting just above 1 percent of GDP, the fraction is significantly less than Australia’s. New Zealand’s GDP per capita is only three-quarters of Australia’s, meaning its defence spending per person is much lower.

The inaugural Australia–New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministerial Consultations in February bought a new focus to the trans-Tasman relationship. Ministers of both countries said the meetings had taken place amid the most challenging global strategic environment in decades. They committed to increasing military integration.

The debate in New Zealand has become sharper as the country has considered joining Pillar 2 of AUKUS, the part of the Australian-British-US defence partnership that deals with technology other than nuclear submarines.

Active military collaboration for international security marks a strong shift away from the view of then Labour prime minister Helen Clark, who said in March 2001 that New Zealand was ‘very lucky to live in one of the most strategically secure environments in the world’ and that New Zealanders ‘would like other nations to experience the peace of a benign strategic environment too.’ For as long as her view dominated foreign policy circles, attention was on trade policy; there was little focus on national security or defence issues, beyond a fascination with nuclear disarmament.

Clark and her generation promoted a so-called independent foreign policy. Encouraged by the anti-American and anti-nuclear lobby, this amounted to a shift away from the Western alliance.

The more modern view in New Zealand is that, as a small country, it must help to uphold the international rules-based system and contribute to stability and security efforts. New Zealand has engaged with Asian-centred regional collaborative security frameworks.

More spending is needed. The government will release a new Defence Capability Plan in June or July, setting out procurement priorities. There is no longer a sense that spending on defence will be unpopular.

The main challenge will be renewing the fleet of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). Key units that need replacement are the two Anzac-class frigates, and there are clear signals that New Zealand will consider buying ships of the general-purpose frigate class that is intended for the Royal Australian Navy. Using the same design would promote interoperability and economy.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force has modernised with the recent purchase of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrollers and C-130J Hercules airlifters. New naval helicopters are likely to come soon.

New Zealand can provide better awareness of the eastern approaches to Australia with Poseidons. A runway extension on the Chatham Islands, 800km east of mainland New Zealand, was opened in January to handle aircraft of the size of Poseidons.

These assets are vital to supporting ongoing participation in collective security efforts. The first international deployment of a New Zealand Poseidon was to Japan in April, to help enforce UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea. Kiwi gunners have trained Ukrainian soldiers in Britain. The RNZN is vital to Pacific relationships.

New Zealand’s strategic isolation is becoming less apparent amid cyber attacks on the parliament in Wellington, great-power competition in Antarctica and acceptance that the country’s trade routes are exposed. Global conflicts feature on Kiwis’ screens daily, showing that the world is a more dangerous place and that foreign policy must change.

It’s understood that stepping up will come at a cost. New Zealand needs to have defence capability that can integrate and enhance Australian forces in the Indo-Pacific. The new government knows that Australia, as New Zealand’s only formal defence ally, is the most important partner.
https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/n...&utm_term=New Zealand is waking up to threats

 

[BravoZulu]

Australia will allow non-citizens to join its armed forces, the government said on Tuesday, as the sparsely populated nation struggles to meet recruitment targets.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said that from July, looser eligibility criteria would allow "permanent residents who have been living in Australia for 12 months" to serve.

Citizens from Britain, Canada, New Zealand and the United States are being favoured, he added.

Australia has a coastline that would stretch one-and-a-bit times around the Earth, but a population of just 26 million.

Canberra has surged defence spending in recent years, buying fleets of submarines, jets and scores of fighting vehicles to meet mounting regional tensions.

But it has struggled to find enough pilots, mariners and troops to operate and maintain them.

Experts warn too few Australians don a uniform to meet even current requirements, much less a beefier military of tomorrow.
https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/...-troops-australia-opens-military-non-citizens

 

[BravoZulu]

Exercise Pitch Black 24 is the largest iteration of the exercise in its 43-year history, with 21 international participants and more than 140 aircraft flying in the exercise.

In 2024, Exercise Pitch Black will include first-time participation with aircraft from Italy, Papua New Guinea, Philippines and Spain. Likewise, embedded personnel from Brunei and Fiji will also participate for the first time.

The exercise will integrate some of the most advanced air combat capabilities in the world, flown and supported by a highly-skilled workforce in a challenging training environment.

It will also include aircraft flying in other essential roles for air operations, including air-to-air refuelling; intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance; and airlift.

Exercise Pitch Black 24 is expected to include the following participation:

RAAF Base Darwin​

Country	Participant
Australia	EA-18G Growler F-35A Lightning II F/A-18F Super Hornet E-7A Wedgetail
Royal Bruneian Air Force	Embedded personnel
Royal Canadian Air Force	Embedded personnel
French Air and Space Force	Rafale CN235
Royal Fijian Military Forces	Embedded personnel
German Air Force	Typhoon A400M
Indian Air Force	Su-30MKI Flanker
Indonesian Air Force	F-16A, B, C and D Fighting Falcon
Italian Air Force	F-35A and F-35B Lightning II Typhoon G550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft
Italian Navy	F-35B Lightning II AV-8B Harrier II Aircraft carrier Cavour
Japan Air Self-Defense Force	F-2A and B E-767 Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft
Royal Malaysian Air Force	F/A-18D Hornet
Royal New Zealand Air Force	Embedded personnel
Papua New Guinea Defence Force	PAC-750
Philippine Air Force	FA-50PH Golden Eagle
Republic of Korea Air Force	F-15K Slam Eagle
Republic of Singapore Air Force	F-16C and D Fighting Falcon F-15SG Eagle G550 Conformal Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft
Royal Air Force	Typhoon
Spanish Air and Space Force	Typhoon
Royal Thai Air Force	Gripen C and D
United States Marine Corps	MV-22 Osprey

RAAF Base Tindal​

Country	Participant
Australia	F-35A Lightning II KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport C-130J Hercules
United States Air Force	F-22A Raptor

RAAF Base Amberley​

Country	Participant
Australia	KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport
Royal Fijian Military Forces	Embedded personnel
French Air and Space Force	A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport, A400M
Italian Air Force	KC-767, C-130 Hercules
Japan Air Self-Defense Force	KC-767
Royal New Zealand Air Force	Embedded personnel
Multinational MRTT Unit (MMU)	A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport
Spanish Air and Space Force	A400M
Republic of Singapore Air Force	A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport
Royal Air Force	Voyager Multi-Role Tanker Transport

https://www.airforce.gov.au/news-and-events/events/exercise-pitch-black/participants​