A Collins Class submarine at Henderson Marine Complex, Western Australia. (Australian DoD)

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Australia has made a significant commitment to the longevity of its Collins-class submarines, pledging at least AUD 2.2 billion (USD 1.44 billion) for sustainment work. A government statement released on July 27 details that this funding is part of a broader AUD 4 to 5 billion commitment to maintain the Collins-class as a potent strike and deterrence capability.

The Defence Ministry has faced challenges in determining the extent of work needed to keep the Collins-class operational until the expected arrival of American-built Virginia-class submarines in the 2030s. Originally planned for retirement by 2026, the Collins boats’ operational life has been extended due to the AUKUS agreement, which has raised concerns about a potential capability gap. U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has pledged to ensure America helps plug any gap.

With the government’s total commitment of AUD 4 to 5 billion for the Collins program, after allocating AUD 2.2 billion for sustainment, approximately AUD 1.8 to 2.8 billion remains for further life extension efforts. This is less than previously anticipated, as the Labor Party government of Anthony Albanese has decided to drop several expensive upgrades. A June statement noted that the Collins submarines would not be fitted with Tomahawk cruise missiles or an optronics electro-optical mast.

The four-year contract for this work has been awarded to ASC Pty Ltd, a government-owned company established to build the Collins-class. Work on HMAS Farncomb, the first Collins submarine to be rebuilt, is scheduled to begin in 2026.

The announcement also highlights the importance of preserving a skilled workforce capable of working on the future SSN AUKUS submarines once Australia starts building its own nuclear-powered boats. “This new contract further ensures these workers have certainty in Australia’s national naval shipbuilding and sustainment enterprise and helps to grow the workforce required to build and sustain Australia’s future nuclear-powered submarines,” stated Finance Minister Sen. Katy Gallagher.

Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from her Olympic bout against Algeria’s Imane Khelif after 46 seconds and two blows to the head, leaving her with a busted nose. The match drew worldwide attention as Khelif had previously failed gender eligibility tests but was allowed to compete.

The North Paris Arena was packed with media eager to witness the controversial bout. Carini raised her glove to pause the fight due to a dislodged headgear after a powerful hit from Khelif. Moments later, she yelled, “Non e giusto, non e giusto” (“It’s not fair, it’s not fair”), and withdrew from the match.

Carini refused to shake Khelif’s hand and later cited concerns for her health, echoing fears from Australian boxing captain Caitlin Parker about the risks posed by previously disqualified athletes. Carini’s coach, Emanuele Renzini, mentioned that Carini was advised not to fight Khelif due to safety concerns. Carini denied her withdrawal was a protest against Khelif’s inclusion, stating it was unfair that her Olympic dream ended this way.

Khelif, aiming for gold, briefly spoke to the BBC, expressing her readiness to fight anyone. Carini, emotionally overwhelmed, answered media questions for two hours, remembering her father who passed away during the Tokyo Olympics. Despite the emotional turmoil, Carini viewed her participation as a victory in honour of her father.

Next, Khelif will face Hungarian boxer Anna Luca Hamori, who is undeterred by the controversy, while Australian boxer Marissa Williamson criticized the presence of gender-disqualified athletes, likening it to the consequences of having a disability.

Carini explained her decision to stop the fight, citing severe pain and the need for maturity in such situations.

The Australian Army has acquired an advanced virtual reality (VR) tactical training system from American tech firm Operator XR. Known as the OP-1, this cutting-edge technology allows soldiers to participate in virtual missions using their own specific service weapons and equipment.

Simulations are run from a high-powered tablet, enhancing mobility and ease of use by eliminating the need for external computers. According to Operator XR CEO Wayne Jones, the VR system is a “robust solution” that supports the Australian Army’s urban and close-quarters combat training.

“This partnership with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) represents a defining moment for modern military capabilities,” Jones stated. “The immediate application of this technology within the ADF demonstrates our shared commitment to innovation, readiness, and effective application.”

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Operator XR’s compact OP-1 system provides military units with real-time insights and feedback on their responses to various simulated battlefield scenarios. The technology operates completely offline, enabling deployment in locations without internet access. Its compatibility with a wide range of weapons further enhances training realism and effectiveness.

The four-person system is expected to significantly contribute to Canberra’s development of critical military skills, fostering a more prepared and capable armed forces.

Tesla and Elon Musk want to lead the global EVs market, despite stiff competition from China. However, that doesn’t mean it’s America’s only proposition going forward. The whole world is on edge with the 15-liter hydrogen engine unveiled in California, which could change everything. A prototype that runs on water (yes, water) and emits only steam has zero emissions and can be refueled in seconds. Sound miraculous? It’s reality, and we’re going to prove it to the planet.

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California unveils 15-liter hydrogen engine: Breaks all records and shatters Tesla EVs (ecoticias.com)

Indigenous Gimuy-Walubara man Jiritju Fourmile conducts a smoking ceremony with members of the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment, to celebrate the opening of a new yarning circle at Porton Barracks in Cairns. Photo: Corporal Michael Rogers

The sound of ringing clapsticks and the scent of smouldering eucalyptus floated through a sunny North Queensland afternoon, heralding the start of a new chapter in Cairns.

Members of the 51st Battalion, Far North Queensland Regiment (51FNQR) celebrated the opening of a new yarning circle at Porton Barracks with a smoking ceremony on July 16. The ceremony was conducted by local Indigenous man Jiritju Fourmile, whose family has ties with the Yarrabah and Cairns area, including a number of soldiers in the battalion.

51FNQR Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Schieb said that with more than 200 Indigenous soldiers in his unit, the circle would be a focal point, especially for new recruits.

“We have a diverse workforce, and one of the important parts of the cultural melting pot that is the battalion is the opportunity for everyone to sit down and have a yarn,” Lieutenant Colonel Schieb said. “Having a yarning circle of our own, here on Porton, gives us a culturally appropriate space where we can work through issues and mix all of our cultural perspectives together.”

51FNQR soldiers constructed a permanent yarning circle during NAIDOC week with the help of 19 Indigenous recruits who were on the barracks in preparation for basic training. Stumps from paperbark trees, which had been felled on the barracks earlier, were used for seats around the circle. Paperbark trees are important to the local Indigenous people, used for making shelters and for medicinal purposes.

The unit plans to have prominent Gimuy-Walubara elder Uncle Henrik Fourmile complete a tree carving near the circle, the traditional way of preserving and passing down stories.

The Government has introduced Australia’s inaugural MQ-4C Triton Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, designated ‘AUS 1’, to be utilized by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). This significant reveal took place at RAAF Base Tindal, led by the Deputy Prime Minister.

The MQ-4C Triton, designed for high-altitude, long-endurance missions, will bolster persistent surveillance across Australia’s maritime zones. This aircraft is set to work in tandem with the ADF’s manned P-8A Poseidon fleet, forming a cohesive ‘family of systems’ to enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities in support of Defence operations.

The four MQ-4C Triton aircraft will be stationed at RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory and operated by the reestablished No. 9 Squadron at RAAF Base Edinburgh, South Australia.

The MQ-4C Triton project signifies a substantial $900 million investment into the Australian industry, covering facilities construction, network integration, engineering, logistics, component manufacturing, and sustainment services. Part of this investment includes an interim sustainment support contract with Northrop Grumman Australia, valued at approximately $220 million. This contract will generate 110 technical jobs for skilled workers in South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Stephen Chappell DSC, CSC, OAM, commented:

• “The MQ-4C Triton will complement our existing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets, significantly improving our patrol capabilities over northern Australia and surrounding maritime regions.”
• “This uncrewed system offers unparalleled persistence and maritime awareness, supporting an integrated, focused force.”
• “Modern payloads and extended endurance of uncrewed aerial systems hold immense potential for operational advancements.”

This significant development underscores the cooperative efforts between the Australian and U.S. defence sectors, highlighting the ongoing commitment to advancing Australia’s defence capabilities.

Australian Defence Force personnel are working side-by-side with state authorities in Western Australia and Queensland from 12 to 28 July 2024 as part of Exercise Austral Shield 2024. Exercise Austral Shield 2024 is designed to exercise the Australian Defence Force’s short-notice response to a domestic security threat. This year Exercise Austral Shield is being held across northern Australia with Australian Army Reserve personnel mobilised at short notice to assist state emergency services in the execution of domestic security response against a simulated domestic threat. Exercises like Austral Shield are an essential part of maintaining an agile and ready force. The Australian Defence Force maintains short notice and specialist capabilities that may be called upon, under Commonwealth direction, to assist the civilian authorities in responding to domestic security threats.

The US military is building infrastructure in northern Australia air bases to help it project power into the South China Sea if a crisis with China erupts, according to tender documents and interviews with US and Australian defence officials.

In an unprecedented move, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Israel Katz, has urged NATO to expel Turkey from the alliance following recent threats from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Katz’s call to action has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles, as the volatile situation between Israel and Turkey reaches a boiling point.

Katz has wasted no time in rallying international support, instructing Israeli diplomats to urgently engage with NATO members. His demands for Turkey’s condemnation and expulsion come in response to Erdoğan’s recent aggressive rhetoric and threats. “Turkey’s actions and words are unacceptable and threaten regional stability,” Katz said in a press statement. “NATO must take a stand and show that such behaviour will not be tolerated.”

The latest bout of tension was sparked by Erdoğan’s incendiary comments threatening to deploy Turkish military personnel to Gaza. The Turkish president claimed this would demonstrate strength and deter Israeli actions in the region. His statements have ignited fears of a broader regional conflict, drawing widespread condemnation from various international quarters.

Prominent global leaders have voiced their concerns about the escalating situation. Geert Wilders, a well-known and controversial figure in the Dutch House of Representatives, did not mince words, calling Erdoğan an “Islamofascist” and “totally nuts.” Wilders, who has a history of advocating for Turkey’s expulsion from NATO, seized the opportunity to reinforce his stance.

NATO, however, finds itself in a complex predicament. Turkey, a member since 1952, boasts the alliance’s second-largest army, making its expulsion a complicated and unprecedented move. NATO currently lacks a specific mechanism to suspend or expel a member, a fact reiterated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in 2021 when he stated that creating such a mechanism “would never happen.”

Despite the gravity of Israel’s request, NATO’s leadership has remained tight-lipped, offering no immediate response to Katz’s demands. Analysts suggest that any move to expel Turkey could destabilize the alliance and significantly alter the geopolitical landscape of the region.

As tensions between Israel and Turkey continue to mount, the international community watches closely. The situation underscores the delicate balance NATO must maintain among its diverse members, each with its own strategic interests and regional challenges. Israel’s call for action, coupled with Erdoğan’s inflammatory rhetoric, highlights the fragile nature of international alliances and the ever-present risk of conflict in a volatile world.

For now, the world waits to see how NATO will navigate this diplomatic crisis, balancing the principles of the alliance with the pressing need to maintain regional peace and stability.