D efence
AUSTRALIA-JAPAN DEFENCE FORCES TO OPERATE TOGETHER ‘SEAMLESSLY’ Prime Ministers Scott Morrison and Fumio Kishida recently signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement, ensuring "Australia's Defence Forces and Japanese forces can act and operate together seamlessly." The RAA was signed in a virtual meeting, with the RAA scheduled to deepen the military ties between the two nations via greater defence and security cooperation. The agreement is designed to support the ongoing challenges faced by both Australia and Japan in the Indo-Pacific and ensure the preservation of the international rules-based order. The Prime Minister's Office has confirmed that the Australia-Japan RAA will result in further joint military exercises, humanitarian assistance missions and maritime domain awareness. Throughout the meeting, the leaders also discussed a raft of other measures including kick-starting the hydrogen energy industry with $150 million government in government investments. 80
The meeting between the two was scheduled to take place in person, however, was moved online due to growth in Australia’s COVID cases.
BAE SYSTEMS WELCOMES NEW F-35 CONTRACT BAE Systems Australia recently welcomed the announcement of a new F-35 Air Vehicle Support Services contract to establish sovereign maintenance and supply chain support for the Australian fleet at RAAF Bases Williamtown, NSW, and Tindal in the Northern Territory. Maintaining and sustaining the global F-35 capability will create around 360 new direct jobs at BAE Systems Australia over the next 10 years and develop a specialist supply chain across Australia
of more than 70 SMEs by According to Defence, the 2025. hardware and software modifications improve the BAE Systems has provided accuracy of the Hercules’ fast jet maintenance and navigation systems, upgrades to RAAF aircraft especially during landing from its Williamtown facility in remote areas across the for almost three decades and Asia-Pacific region. It also employs nearly 460 people in includes safety upgrades the precinct. ensuring the ongoing The new AVSS contract will protection of the RAAF’s employ 46 BAE Systems No.37 Squadron personnel. Australia staff, providing The recent upgrades also direct, on-the-ground support provide enhanced friend-orto RAAF personnel sustaining foe identification systems and the F-35. The company will guarantee that the aircraft have around 130 people remain in compliance with working to support F-35 global air traffic management aircraft maintenance by regulations. the end of the year, having also recruited 25 former Jetstar technicians during NEXT GEN the downturn in commercial WARHEADS a v i a t i o n c a u s e d b y DELIVERED TO COVID-19. RAAF Locally manufactured nextgeneration warheads have been accepted into service The first RAAF C-130J by the RAAF. Hercules to undergo the Block BLU-111(AUS)B/B warheads 8.1 hardware and software have been delivered to No. upgrade has touched down 3 Squadron at No. 81 Wing in RAAF Base Richmond, RAAF Base Williamtown. Defence announced. T h e 5 0 0 - p o u n d The initial upgrades were (227-kilogram) highundertaken by Lockheed explosive warheads were Martin and the US Air Force configured by armament in the United States, with technicians as a Paveway the remaining 11 aircraft II laser guided bomb before expected to undergo being loaded onto the F-35A upgrades locally at RAAF Lightning II for a training drill. Base Richmond with the support of Airbus Australia T h e B L U - 111 ( A U S ) B / B Pacific. warheads, built with improved
HERCULES UPGRADE
