Defence news and analysis

Winged warriors: the pigeons of the Australian War Memorial

Australian Capital Territory

Each day the pigeon has been flying down to the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier to steal poppies, carefully crafting a nest in the…

Women reach more leadership roles in Defence

By Harley Dennett

Defence

Air Force Warrant Officer Fiona Grasby OAM and Navy Warrant Officer Deb Butterworth OAM both ascend to the Australian Defence Force's most senior role for…

Air Force expands employment opportunities in cyber warfare

By Stephen Easton

Communications & Technology

The Royal Australian Air Force is assembling a new cyber warfare team with the first recruits starting an intensive six-month training program in February.

Robots can outwit us on the virtual battlefield, so let’s not put them in charge of the real thing

By Toby Walsh

Communications & Technology

Despite the many warnings raised by AI researchers such as myself — as well as by founders of AI and robotics companies, Nobel Peace Laureates,…

Future ADF service chiefs could be given 4-star rank to match departmental secretaries, global counterparts

By The Mandarin

Defence

Much like Queen Victoria was given a rank-bump to Empress of India in 1876 to match status with the other major powers of the day,…

Nothin’ suss: Defence denies ‘nepotism’ accusation in limited-tender procurement deal

By Stephen Easton

Defence

The Department of Defence says there was nothing wrong with a procurement official's decision to bypass a competitive tender process and award a contract to…

Australian Hydrographic Office turns 100

By Shannon Jenkins

Defence

The Department of Defence’s national charting authority has started its birthday celebrations early. The Australian Hydrographic Office began its centenary celebrations in Wollongong last week,…

Aerial threat: why drone hacking could be bad news for the military

By Mohiuddin Ahmed & Paul Haskell-Dowland

Defence

Drones are now being used in a host of applications, including agriculture, media, parcel delivery, and defence. However, as with all IT technology, manufacturers and…

Defence mental health laws from 1982 to be changed

By Shannon Jenkins

Defence

A Defence leader has said the “gross inadequacy” of mental health legislation for Defence Force members must be overhauled. Director of Military Prosecutions Brigadier Jennifer…

The big beast that is the Defence Department

By Graeme Dobell

Defence

All Australian governments come to office with a deep admiration for the Oz military and some apprehension about the Department of Defence. The Defence Department,…

Catherine Roberts makes history as engineers fly high in Air Force

By Harley Dennett

Defence

The first engineer entrusted with the big-picture design of Air Force’s future is focussed on smart people, smart tech. Air Vice-Marshal Cath Roberts is the…

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Columnists

Deep links between the private sector and Defence have been to the nation’s benefit. But it’s complicated. The department has expanded its toolbox to manage this ‘revolving door’

By Bernard Keane

Defence

Former government employees with defence-related skills will end up working in defence-related industries, and that's been a concern to some in the Australian community about…

Why is there no APS college? ASIO head Duncan Lewis says public service needs its own school

By Stephen Easton

Defence

Retiring ASIO head Duncan Lewis says the Australian Public Service "could do better" by offering a lot more education and training to prepare its leaders,…

New taskforce will fight foreign interference in universities

By Shannon Jenkins

Defence

Representatives from universities and security agencies will band together to form a new foreign-interference taskforce. The taskforce will be comprised 50% from the university sector…

Australia wants to install military technology in Antarctica – here's why that's allowed

By The Conversation

Defence

The Australian Defence Force wants to roll out military technology in Antarctica. This raises the issue of what is, or is not, legitimate use of…

Defence

Winged warriors: the pigeons of the Australian War Memorial

Latest

Women reach more leadership roles in Defence

Air Force expands employment opportunities in cyber warfare

Robots can outwit us on the virtual battlefield, so let’s not put them in charge of the real thing

Future ADF service chiefs could be given 4-star rank to match departmental secretaries, global counterparts

Nothin’ suss: Defence denies ‘nepotism’ accusation in limited-tender procurement deal

Australian Hydrographic Office turns 100

Aerial threat: why drone hacking could be bad news for the military

The essential resource for effective public sector leaders

Defence mental health laws from 1982 to be changed

The big beast that is the Defence Department

Catherine Roberts makes history as engineers fly high in Air Force

Deep links between the private sector and Defence have been to the nation’s benefit. But it’s complicated. The department has expanded its toolbox to manage this ‘revolving door’

Why is there no APS college? ASIO head Duncan Lewis says public service needs its own school

New taskforce will fight foreign interference in universities

Australia wants to install military technology in Antarctica – here's why that's allowed