Defence News
New law in place for overseas work
Former personnel may need Defence approval to work for foreign militaries and governments, following the Safeguarding Australia’s Military Secrets Act 2024 coming into force on 6 May 2024.
The requirement lasts one, 5 or 10 years after discharge depending on someone’s Defence role and the sensitivity of information they worked with. There could be exceptions for jobs with Five-Eyes countries, Australian Government activities or UN work.
‘You will need to fill in the online form, then we’ll assess if the work raises any national security issues,’ said Defence’s Chief Security Officer Peter West. ‘I think in most cases there will be no issues, but if we think there’s a risk we may deny the authorisation or give you one with conditions attached.’
The requirement also applies to former personnel working for foreign militaries or governments as a contractor. The new law also applies to Australian citizens or permanent residents training in military tactics and use of software or technology with military applications.
The legislation doesn’t exclude any specific types of work, so generic services such as cleaning could still require authorisation. The focus is the end beneficiary of the work, not necessarily who is doing the hiring. It does not apply to enlisting in foreign militaries, which is covered by the Crimes Act and has exemptions for officially recognised foreign militaries.
Mr West said his team did not want to stop people using their Defence skills to get jobs overseas and would try to make the process as quick as possible.
Read the full article in Defence News.
Second World War bomber crew found and farewelled
Having positively identified a Second World War 100 Squadron Beaufort aircraft (A9-186) in Papua New Guinea, the Air Force farewelled 2 of its 4 crew members during a combined funeral and memorial service at RAAF Base Amberley on 26 April.
First reported missing in 1943, the aircraft was recently discovered by an Ocean Ecology Pty Ltd dive team working for Dr Andrew Forrest after a difficult mission in the waters south of Gasmata. The challenging wreck site meant identifying the remains of the aircraft took considerable time, effort and teamwork.
The RAAF’s specialist team collated the evidence and a Defence Identification Board identified the remains as those of Warrant Officer Clement Batstone Wiggins and Warrant Officer Russell Henry Grigg. Unfortunately, no remains of the other 2 crew members, Flight Sergeant Albert Beckett and Flight Sergeant Gordon Lewis Hamilton, were recovered.
Delivering the eulogy on behalf of the Grigg family, Henry Grigg’s daughter, Mary Peden, expressed gratitude to Andrew Forrest and his team for discovering A9-186, found in 43 metres of water while searching for A9-188, piloted by his uncle.
‘Our family can only express our extreme gratitude to Andrew for this discovery of our dad, and sorrow for him with the disappointment of not finding the plane of his uncle before his dad died,’ Ms Peden said.
Read the full article in Defence News.
First directed-energy weapon put to the test
At a Puckapunyal range, where tanks and explosions are commonplace, a new type of weapon system has been put through its paces.
The ADF’s first directed-energy weapon, called the Fractl Portable High Energy Laser, is powerful enough to burn through steel and can track objects as small as a 10-cent piece travelling 100 km per hour a kilometre away. It’s silent, virtually motionless and soldiers can be taught to use it in minutes.
Corporal Patrick Flanagan was given a ‘soldier’s five’ before he successfully shot down a drone. ‘You push a button to track the drone and the computer takes over, then you push another button to ‘pull the trigger’ just like in a video game,’ he said.
Melbourne company AIM Defence designed the suitcase- sized laser that works like a blowtorch travelling at the speed of light. It can burn a hole in a drone using less power than it takes to boil a kettle.
At the Puckapunyal demonstration, the team ‘hard killed’ a drone at 500 m with a deployable prototype. The laser’s strength is limited by the power supply and AIM Defence has successfully engaged drones at 1 km in past tests.
Directed-energy weapons are one way Defence is embracing emerging technology to counter off-the-shelf, small multi- rotor uncrewed aerial vehicles.
Read the full article in Defence News.
HMAS Anzac farewelled after 30 years
Navy frigate HMAS Anzac III, the first of her class, was decommissioned on 18 May after nearly 3 decades in service, at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia.
Commissioned on May 18, 1996 under the command of then Captain (now Commodore) Les Pataky, who was on hand to watch the ceremony, the Anzac-class helicopter frigate FFH 150 was named in recognition of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps and attended both the 90th and 100th remembrance services in Gallipoli.
‘Anzac has served an exceptional tenure and is the hallmark vessel for its numerous operations, deployments and commemorative activities,’ said Commander Barton Harrington. ‘Today marks the completion of her time as the First Lady of the Fleet.’
Anzac served at the centre of some of Australia’s most important international engagements, she conducted operations in fisheries protection, peacekeeping, and 3 deployments to the Persian Gulf.
Her accolades include: Battle Honours for East Timor 1999, Persian Gulf 2001-03, Iraq 2003 and Middle East 2007-13. Her most notable award was a Meritorious Unit Citation for naval gunfire support provided during the Battle of Al Faw.
Read the full article in Defence News.
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