Richard Marles

Australia has announced reforms to its defense industry policy and acquisitions. The reforms aim to create a more agile, disciplined, and strategically focused Defense organisation.

Australia and Canada signed a $1.75 billion agreement to build an Australian-designed long-range radar system in Canada, enhancing strategic cooperation and Arctic surveillance. The deal marks Australia's largest defense export and strengthens the partnership between the two Five Eyes alliance members.

Australia and Canada signed a $1.75 billion agreement to build an Australian-designed long-range radar system in Canada, enhancing strategic cooperation and Arctic surveillance. The deal marks Australia’s largest defense export and involves BAE Systems Australia in developing the Over-the-Horizon Radar technology.

Australia and Canada signed a $1.75 billion agreement to build an Australian-designed long-range radar system in Canada, enhancing early warning coverage from the Canada-U.S. border to the Arctic. The deal, described as a strategic partnership, involves BAE Systems Australia and marks Australia's largest defense export.

Australia's defense minister Richard Marles was left without a UK counterpart to meet after John Healey resigned hours before a planned visit to a naval yard. Treasurer Jim Chalmers defended his criticism of opposition leader Angus Taylor, arguing Taylor's privileged background makes him disconnected from housing market struggles.

The U.S. Navy established NSA Stirling in Western Australia, part of the AUKUS pact's Pillar I, to support Submarine Rotational Force–West (SRF-West) with maintenance and sustainment infrastructure for U.S. and British nuclear submarines. The facility, expected to be operational by 2027, aims to enhance regional readiness, while a Singapore meeting confirmed progress on AUKUS milestones and announced a 2027 Pillar II project for uncrewed undersea vehicles.

Labor MP Ed Husic criticizes the Aukus submarine deal, warning that US production delays and the Trump administration's approach risk the agreement. Australia may accept second-hand Virginia-class nuclear submarines instead of a mix of new and old vessels.

The United States will send used nuclear-powered submarines to Australia under the amended AUKUS defence deal. Australia is expected to receive at least three Virginia-class submarines within 15 years, described as a 'cost-effective' move by Defence Minister Richard Marles.

American allies emphasized the importance of global unity to strengthen deterrence against emerging threats, despite U.S. criticisms of European defense spending. Japan's defense minister highlighted the need for strong coalitions, while China criticized Japan's recent policy shift allowing lethal weapons exports. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reiterated calls for increased defense contributions from Western Europe.

American allies emphasized global unity and cooperation at a defense conference in Singapore, warning that division weakens deterrence. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized European allies for insufficient defense spending, while Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stressed the need for stronger coalitions amid China's military expansion and Japan's recent policy shift on lethal weapons exports.

Australia's defense minister Richard Marles warned that the 'seabed is a battlefield' and urged Beijing to increase transparency in maritime operations. The US, UK, and Australia announced a new AUKUS project to develop underwater drone technology for protecting undersea cables, with Australia set to purchase secondhand Aukus submarines from the US.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles states that Australia's military spending as a percentage of GDP exceeds that of major European nations. He made the remarks during the Shangri-La Dialogue with Bloomberg reporter Haslinda Amin.

Australia will send a military plane to join an international mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed since the US-Israel assault in February. The Defence Minister, Richard Marles, discussed global efforts with 40 other countries. Australia may send more assets to the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump criticized Australia for not supporting him in the Middle East conflict, claiming the US 'asked them to be there,' while Australia's defense minister denied there was a 'specific request.' The dispute centers on Australia's role in the Strait of Hormuz.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles denies that recent increases in defense spending were influenced by thinktanks, retired generals, or former bureaucrats, amid pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to boost spending. Marles met with U.S. counterpart Pete Hegseth in Singapore last year to address these demands.

Australia's Labor government plans to increase defense spending by $53 billion over the next decade, raising the budget to 2.4% of GDP. This strategy, to be unveiled by Defense Minister Richard Marles, falls short of U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for 3.5% of GDP.

Three Palestinian human rights groups filed a legal request to subpoena arms export documents from Australia's defense minister, Richard Marles, to investigate potential violations of international law related to Israel-bound permits. The groups aim to force transparency on whether Australia's government approved arms exports to Israel.