Japan has selected one of the unmanned aerial vehicle platforms that will form part of its recently advanced SHIELD unmanned littoral defence network, the nation’s Ministry of Defense announced on 12 May | Corey Lee Bell

The government has officially launched the Collins-class submarine life of type extension program to ensure the Collins boats remain an effective capability pending the arrival of nuclear submarines next decade | Max Blenkin

The 2025-26 Defence budget was supposed to come in at $58.9 billion but it actually came in at $63.2 billion, around $4 billion higher than forecast, much of which was spent on the nuclear submarines program | Max Blenkin

The Japanese government has created a draft public-private investment roadmap for small drones and is examining a raft of other measures to adapt to the “new ways of warfighting” on display in the Ukraine and Iran conflicts | Corey Lee Bell

China has built and practised with weapons to attack US and ally satellites in space and would certainly use those weapons if war started, the head of US space combat command has warned | Max Blenkin

Expanding Japan’s “comprehensive national power,” absorbing lessons from the Ukraine conflict and strengthening the nation’s defence industrial and technological bases were among the key themes addressed | Corey Lee Bell

SYOS introduces SU10 UUV

SYOS has introduced the SU10 uncrewed underwater vehicle to extend and strengthen its multi-domain autonomous uncrewed portfolio across air, land, sea to subsurface.

L&T and Exail to deliver Indian mine countermeasures

L&T and Exail have entered a strategic collaboration to deliver an advanced Unmanned Mine Countermeasures Suite for the Indian Navy’s Mine Counter Measures Vessels program.

Southern Launch aids Varda W-6 capsule re-entry

Southern Launch has announced the safe return of Varda Space Industries’ W-6 capsule to the Koonibba Test Range.

Operator XR secures Swedish VR contract

Operator XR has secured its first European contract, supplying an OP-2 Virtual Reality tactical training system to a Swedish military end-user.

Kongsberg Missile Factory marks construction milestone

A ‘topping out’ ceremony was held on 19 May 2026 at the Kongsberg Missile Factory at Astra Aerolab Precinct, Newcastle Airport, marking a construction milestone for this complex manufacturing and maintenance facility.

Acacia Systems to advance passive sonar detection

Acacia Systems to advance Onyx, its passive sonar automatic detection, tracking and localisation capability, to deliver enhanced tracking performance across a wider range of challenging acoustic environments.

Saronic and LR partner on safe maritime autonomy

Saronic has announced a strategic partnership with Lloyd’s Register, a provider of classification and compliance services for the marine and offshore industries.

Sentinel Boats wins Special Operations RHIB contract

Tasmanian boat builder Sentinel Boats has won a Defence contract to deliver up to seven general purpose watercraft for Australia’s elite Special Operations Forces.

QinetiQ Australia appoints Advisory Board member

QinetiQ Australia has announced the appointment of Stephen Loosley, to its Advisory Board.

More Apaches arrive in Australia

The Australian Defence Force’s attack helicopter fleet continues to grow, with delivery of a fifth and sixth AH‑64E Apache attack helicopter to the Australian Army.

Inaugural Parliamentary Joint Committee examines Defence

The new Parliamentary Joint Committee on Defence has commenced its work in examining Defence policy, capability development, and administration and expenditure, with an emphasis on long‑term effectiveness and strategic outcomes.

SPA Australia appoints defence National Lead

Systems Planning & Analysis Australia has announced the promotion of Anthony Ween to National Lead – Defence & Analytics.