Robert Dougherty

The aircraft now features the RNZAF Kiwi Roundel and No. 40 Squadron’s mariner’s compass, after finishing work at the Lockheed Martin production line in Georgia, United States, according to a public statement on 15 February.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Birmingham, Shadow Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie, and deputy chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, David Fawcett, issued the ultimatum on 14 February.

The new F-35 aircraft are designed with a Technology Refresh-3 package which includes additional munitions capabilities, target recognition, jamming, cyber security, sensor and user interface improvements, processing and data storage enhancements.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, speaking to an ABC television interview on 7 February, reaffirmed the government’s decision to scrap the Australian Defence Force transport helicopters ahead of their planned withdrawal date and dispose of them domestically.

The 3.2-megawatt system solar farm, operated and maintained by Assure Energy, is expected to deliver up to 40 per cent of the Australian Defence Force base’s energy requirements.

Under the contract, announced on 29 January and subject to Australian government export approval, EOS will supply its Slinger counter-drone system for integration on lightweight 4×4 platforms produced by Diehl Defence.