Policy

Strategy, investment, and ministerial activity

The 2026 National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment Program as published, with a rolling feed of Defence portfolio ministerial activity.

2026 National Defence Strategy

Structured display of the strategy as published by the Commonwealth.

Strategy not yet ingested

The National Defence Strategy renders here once the source document has been parsed into structured records.

Source: 2026 National Defence Strategy (one-time ingest)

Integrated Investment Program priorities

Major capability programmes and their indicative public value, as published.

Apache AH-64E· Aviation

AH-64E Apache Guardian armed reconnaissance helicopter to replace the Tiger ARH.

Approximately A$3.5 billion (publicly reported)

AUKUS Pillar II· Advanced capabilities

Trilateral cooperation on advanced capabilities including undersea systems, hypersonics, artificial intelligence, quantum, electronic warfare, and cyber.

Not separately disclosed

Bushmaster· Land combat and protected mobility

Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicle, manufactured in Bendigo, Victoria.

Order dependent

Collins sustainment· Maritime (submarines)

Sustainment and Life of Type Extension of the Collins class submarine fleet.

Ongoing sustainment and Life of Type Extension (not consolidated publicly)

Garden Island RMC East· Defence estate and infrastructure

Naval infrastructure works at the Garden Island Defence Precinct, Fleet Base East in Sydney, supporting surface fleet basing and sustainment.

Not publicly disclosed

Ghost Bat MQ-28A· Autonomous collaborative platforms

MQ-28A Ghost Bat uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft, developed in Australia.

In development; not separately disclosed

GPF· Maritime (surface combatants)

General purpose frigate program to expand the surface combatant fleet, with an initial overseas build transitioning to Australian construction.

Up to 11 ships; multiple billions (publicly reported)

GWEO· Guided weapons and explosive ordnance

Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise, including domestic manufacture of selected guided weapons.

Approximately A$16 to 21 billion over the decade (publicly reported)

Hunter Class· Maritime (surface combatants)

Anti-submarine warfare frigate based on the Global Combat Ship design, built at Osborne in South Australia.

Approximately A$45 billion acquisition (publicly reported)

IAMD· Integrated air and missile defence

Integrated air and missile defence capability, including the joint air battle management system.

Multiple billions (publicly reported)

JP9102· Space (satellite communications)

Sovereign military satellite communications system over the Indo-Pacific region.

Initial award in the A$3 billion class, subsequently restructured (publicly reported)

LAND 400 Phase 3· Land combat and armoured vehicles

Infantry fighting vehicle acquisition under the LAND 400 program.

Approximately A$5 to 7 billion for 129 vehicles (publicly reported)

OneSKY· Air traffic management

Harmonised civil and military air traffic management system delivered with Airservices Australia.

Civil-military program; approximately A$1.2 billion (publicly reported)

SSN-AUKUS· Maritime (submarines)

Nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarine to be acquired and built with the United Kingdom and United States under AUKUS Pillar I.

A$268 to 368 billion to the early 2050s (publicly reported)

Triton· ISR and uncrewed systems

MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance uncrewed aircraft.

Multiple aircraft; over A$1.4 billion committed (publicly reported)

Ministerial activity

Defence portfolio media releases in the signal corpus, most recent first.

Policy

AerospaceMinister for Defence · 8 May 2026

Australian Government response to the 2025 independent review of the Woomera Prohibited Area coexistence framework | Defence Ministers

The Australian Government has accepted all 19 recommendations from the 2025 independent review of the Woomera Prohibited Area coexistence framework. The review found the framework requires modernisation to support Defence's growing operational capability requirements, including accelerated development and testing of advanced capabilities. Defence will work with stakeholders to implement reforms that balance defence needs with other users.

Policy

Minister for Defence · 28 Apr 2026

New Secretary of Defence | Defence Ministers

The Australian Government has announced Meghan Quinn as the next Secretary of the Department of Defence, effective from a future date. Ms Quinn brings experience from the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and other public sector roles, succeeding Greg Moriarty who becomes Ambassador to the United States.

Partnership

MaritimeMinister for Defence · 4 May 2026

Enhanced Defence and Security Cooperation with Japan | Defence Ministers

Australia and Japan have agreed to enhance defence and security cooperation, including increased information sharing, co-development and co-production of capabilities, and joint maintenance. The agreement follows Australia's decision to procure upgraded Mogami class frigates for its general purpose frigate program. The cooperation aims to strengthen interoperability and support regional stability.

General Purpose Frigate Program

Capability

AerospaceMinister for Defence · 30 Apr 2026

Australia takes leap forward in self-reliance with launch of rocket motor manufacturing | Defence Ministers

The Australian Government announced a $126.9 million investment to establish domestic solid rocket motor manufacturing, with Northrop Grumman Australia selected as preferred partner. Production of GMLRS rocket motors is targeted for 2030 at the Mulwala facility, with a dedicated Rocket Motor Manufacturing Complex planned for 2033.

Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS)DRACORocket Motor Manufacturing Complex

Policy

MaritimeMinister for Defence · 12 May 2026

Albanese Government delivering for Defence and our veterans | Defence Ministers

The 2026-27 Budget and 2026 National Defence Strategy announce an additional $14 billion over four years and $53 billion over the decade for Defence, with total portfolio funding reaching $887 billion to 2035-36. Key investments include the Nuclear-Powered Submarine Program, General Purpose Frigates, the Henderson Defence Precinct, and the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise. The release also details funding for veteran support and the establishment of the Defence Delivery Agency.

Nuclear-Powered Submarine ProgramGeneral Purpose FrigatesGuided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance enterprise

Procurement

MaritimeMinister for Defence · 14 May 2026

Albanese Government signs Defence MOU with Norway, helping make Australia more self reliant and boosting regional security | Defence Ministers

Australia signed a Defence MOU with Norway to support acquisition and domestic manufacturing of Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile. The arrangement involves 10 other user nations and aims to make Australia a regional missile production hub. The government is investing up to $850 million for a new missile factory in Newcastle, with production expected from 2027.

Naval Strike MissileJoint Strike MissileAustralian Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Plan

Capability

AerospaceMinister for Defence · 15 May 2026

Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility strengthens sovereign Defence capability | Defence Ministers

The Australian and South Australian governments have opened a $200 million Deep Maintenance and Modification Facility at RAAF Base Edinburgh for the P-8A Poseidon fleet. The facility will enable sovereign deep maintenance and modification of the aircraft, with the Royal New Zealand Air Force also planning to use it from 2028. Boeing Defence Australia will perform modifications on remaining aircraft under a previously announced support contract.

P-8A Poseidon

Procurement

MaritimeMinister for Defence · 15 May 2026

Preparing Australian industry to support the Virginia class submarine combat system | Defence Ministers

The Australian Government has selected Lockheed Martin Australia as the preferred Combat System Integration Partner for the future Virginia class submarines under AUKUS. An initial services contract of approximately two years is expected, with around 100 new jobs in Western Australia. This decision supports sovereign submarine capability and industry development.

Virginia class submarineAUKUS