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An encroaching Chinese flotilla along WA’s vulnerable, economically critical coastline has underscored the need for a larger presence in the State from the Australian Defence Force, Roger Cook says. 

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DefenceCommentsPremium
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Cook calls for more from ADF as warships remain off WA coast

An encroaching Chinese flotilla along WA’s vulnerable, economically critical coastline has underscored the need for a larger presence in the State from the Australian Defence Force, Roger Cook says. 

Dylan Caporn

The trio of Chinese warships apparently circling Australia are now off the WA coast, roughly in line with Esperance, as Anthony Albanese insists the ADF is keeping a close eye on their movements.

Federal PoliticsCommentsChinese ships now heading around WA coastline

The trio of Chinese warships apparently circling Australia are now off the WA coast, roughly in line with Esperance, as Anthony Albanese insists the ADF is keeping a close eye on their movements.

Katina Curtis

The HMAS Perth memorial in East Fremantle was officially opened by the Governor of WA Chris Dawson on Saturday.

DefencePremiumStriking new HMAS Perth memorial in East Fremantle opened

More than two-thirds of the 681 aboard who departed Fremantle to fight in WWII never saw home soil again. Those brave souls have now been properly honoured.

Rebecca Le May

Chinese warships are now in the Great Australian Bite and could be headed past Perth as the Asian giant shows off the might of its navy.

WA NewsCommentsAre the Chinese warships headed to WA?

A Defence expert says the east coast is getting a taste of what it’s like for West Australians with Chinese ships lurking off the coast.

Katina Curtis

March 1 marks the official opening of the HMAS Perth memorial in East Fremantle.

FremantleCommentsMemorial to honour lives lost on sunken battleship

The memorial site dedicated to commemorating the life lost on HMAS Perth I is opening on Saturday, marking the 83rd anniversary of the ship’s sinking.

Caitlin Vinci

Captain Jeffrey Corneille, skipper of the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Minnesota.

DefenceBond between AUS & US Navies strong despite tension

While the election of Donald Trump has made the future of AUKUS uncertain, the bond between Australian and US Navy personnel remains strong after the USS Minnesota arrived at HMAS Stirling this week. 

Rachel Fenner

A political brouhaha has broken out over China’s Tasman Sea war games, as defence experts warn Beijing’s activity should set off alarm bells. 

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DefenceVideoComments
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ADF and Prime Minister all at sea on China war games

A political brouhaha has broken out over China’s Tasman Sea war games, as defence experts warn Beijing’s activity should set off alarm bells. 

Ellen Ransley

China's live firing drill doesn't demonstrate best practice, the Australian Defence Force head says. (Supplied/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumDefence force not told of Chinese navy live fire drills

China's military failed to inform the Australian Defence Force it would be conducting "irresponsible" live-fire drills, which posed a risk to civilian aircraft.

Tess Ikonomou and Ben McKay

A Virgin Australia pilot alerted aviation officials to Chinese live-fire exercises. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumVirgin pilot sounded alarm on Chinese live-fire drill

Air officials first found out about Chinese live-fire drills from a Virgin pilot, an inquiry has heard, as Beijing ships continue to lurk off Australia's coast.

Tess Ikonomou

Mr Burgess said that Australian defence officials were being targeted in a “number of ways”. 

DefencePremiumASIO reveals Aust defence officials targeted by spies

ASIO boss Mike Burgess has revealed that Australian defence personnel have been targeted by overseas spies by planting listening devices in gifts. 

Steve Zemek

Australia and Papua New Guinea are negotiating a new defence treaty. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumDefence pact to build PNG links without the brain drain

Defence forces must guard against brain drain between national militaries, an analyst says as Australia and Papua New Guinea hammer out a new treaty.

Tess Ikonomou and Ben McKay

Leaders praised New Zealand for its contributions to Ukraine, Defence Minister Judith Collins said. (Mark Coote/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumNew Zealand distances itself from Trump on Ukraine

Defence Minister Judith Collins says Ukraine President is not a dictator, nor did he start the war with Russia - contradicting US President Donald Trump.

Ben McKay

NATO is contemplating a potential new reality in which the US is no longer Europe's backstop. (AP PHOTO)

DefenceNATO holds combat drills as Trump goes rogue

NATO members are undertaking large scale combat exercises as worries grow in the 32-nation alliance over its most powerful member, the United States.

Staff Writers

Following testing and training, 12 UH-M60M Black Hawks have joined the defence force's fleets, (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

DefenceBlack Hawk helicopters to join Australian defence fleet

Twelve Black Hawk helicopters will be used for emergency and counter-terrorism operations in the ADF, after being fast-tracked from the United States.

Andrew Brown

A Chinese fighter jet dropped flares above and in front of an Australian P-8A Poseidon last week. (AP PHOTO)

DefenceAust, Chinese officials meet after mid-air incident

A mid-air incident involving Australia and China's air forces last week was likely discussed at a senior defence officials' meeting in Beijing.

Lisa Martin

A Chinese fighter jet has dropped flares near an RAAF aircraft on patrol in the South China Sea. (HANDOUT/Boeing Defense, Space and Security)

DefencePremium'Intrusion' before Chinese flares near RAAF plane

An Australian military aircraft has been targeted by a Chinese fighter jet after what Beijing described as "deliberate intrusion" into its airspace.

Tess Ikonomou and Holly Hales

A 2023 file image of a Chinese fighter jet pilot.

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DefenceComments
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‘Unsafe’: China fighter jet fires flares at ADF plane

Australia has lodged an official protest with Beijing after a Chinese fighter jet dropped flares on an Australian aircraft in an ‘unsafe and unprofessional’ incident.

Ellen Ransley

Australia has been reassured of President Donald Trump's support for the AUKUS deal in US talks. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

Defence'Trump backs AUKUS' as Aust tips $800m into US coffers

US President Donald Trump is supportive of its multi-decade submarine deal with Australia, his defence secretary has said calming fears of snap renegotiations.

Luke Costin

Scriptwriter Shea Walsh, founder Russell Delroy and executive producer Oliver Wenn at Fremantle Army Museum.

DefenceCommentsPremiumZ Force’s super-secret Singapore raid an unbelievable tale

Aged between 18 and 23, the crew of a tiny boat known as The Krait executed what is considered the most audacious and dangerous military raid in Australian history.

Ben Harvey

GEN SAS war widow Kylie Russell at Kings Park.

state politicsPremiumVeteran care centre a step closer after SAS widow’s plea

The money needed to get a crisis accommodation centre for veterans off the ground in Cannington has been guaranteed, after the Federal Government answered a Perth SAS widow’s plea for help.

Jessica Page

The ADF's system of awarding medals for service has come under fire at an inquiry in Canberra. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

DefenceFormer ADF chief Campbell slammed over honours call

Veterans have called for an overhaul of the Defence honours and awards system, with former defence force chief Angus Campbell heavily criticised.

Tess Ikonomou

Former defence chief Angus Campbell.

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Federal PoliticsComments
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Veterans: Medal overhaul, apology vital to fix ADF morale

Veterans have demanded an apology for Angus Campbell’s treatment of Afghanistan veterans and called for a significant overhaul to the defence honours and awards system at a Senate inquiry.

Ellen Ransley

Defence Minister Richard Marles will meet his US counterpart Pete Hegseth in Washington DC. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

DefenceDefence minister off to US to back in 'strong' alliance

Defence Minister Richard Marles will travel to Washington to cement Australia's "strong and enduring" US alliance and meet his US counterpart Pete Hegseth.

Tess Ikonomou

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin say they would like to meet face-to-face to discuss a host of issues (EPA PHOTO)

DefencePremiumRussia condemns Trump missile defence shield plan

The Kremlin says Donald Trump's plan to build a new missile defence shield will hinder the prospects for talks on nuclear arms control.

Dmitry Antonov