Defence - VibeWire Magazine

RAAF Spartan deployed to Solomon Islands for Operation Solania

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August 26, 2025
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The C-27J Spartan mobility aircraft has participated in every iteration of Operation Solania in 2025, providing airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability to scour the large maritime area for vessels conducting illegal, unreporte…

Leidos wins $35m Defence contract for air command and control

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August 25, 2025
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Under the contract, Leidos will provide on-site sustainment services to Defence’s Joint Systems Division, Joint C4 Systems branch. This will include operational support, engineering services and training.

RAAF Townsville heritage centre reopens after major refurbishment

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August 22, 2025
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The RTAHC, which was closed for renovations in 2020, opened its doors again on 14 August as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of Victory in the Pacific, with its first public open day on the following Sunday.

NZDF to acquire Seahawks and A321XLRs in fleet overhaul

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August 21, 2025
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Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters confirmed the investment decisions of $2.7 billion, with the MH-60R Seahawk the preferred option to replace the existing maritime helicopters. The Airbus A321XLR aircraft will …

ADF boosts local drone capability with $1.5m acquisition

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August 21, 2025
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The drones were developed under Defence’s Sovereign Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Challenge, which tasked local companies with designing and producing cost-effective, general-purpose platforms to support frontline operations.

MQ-28A Ghost Bats to enter air-to-air weapons testing this year

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August 20, 2025
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The aircraft have previously completed testing earlier this year, in which a single human operator onboard a RAAF E-7A Wedgetail was able to successfully control two Ghost Bats in a mission against airborne targets.

F/A-18 Super Hornets to ‘remain relevant for a very long time’

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August 15, 2025
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Upgradable and adaptable F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter aircraft are expected to ‘remain relevant for a very long time’, according to recent comments from retired US F/A-18 instructor pilot Trevor ‘Gonky’ Hartsock earlier this week.

RAAF and Navy engage in live-fire missile testing off NSW coast

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August 14, 2025
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Royal Australian Air Force and Royal Australian Navy personnel, supported by United States Air Force 53rd Wing and United States Navy NAWCWD specialists, conducted the advanced target trials from June 7 to July 2 this year.

Tickets officially open for RAAF Richmond’s centennial air show

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August 13, 2025
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The Airshow will take place over the weekend of 27 and 28 September 2025 with gates open at 9am and flying displays to be conducted from 11am to 4.30pm. Tickets officially went on sale on August 13.

Former PM Rudd tours aerial drone headquarters of Shield AI

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August 13, 2025
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The American defence company produces the V-BAT vertical-takeoff and landing, AI-based uncrewed aerial system for military, border protection, law enforcement, search and rescue, climate surveillance and disaster management operations.