Australia the ‘only advanced military’ which does not have armed drones

Strategic Analysis Australia Director Peter Jennings says Australia is the “only advanced military” which does not have “armed drones”.

There are growing calls for restraint as the world reacts to Iran’s aerial bombardment of Israel.

It is Tehran’s first-ever direct attack on its neighbour.

Israel says more than 300 missiles and drones were fired by Iran, Iraq, Syria and Yemen, but most were intercepted before entering Israeli airspace.

“We are the only advanced military in the world which does not have an armed drone as part of our existing force structure,” Mr Jennings told Sky News host Peta Credlin.

“We’ve used drones for reconnaissance purposes … but not for actually carrying weapons.

“What we see in Israel … is drones are changing the nature of their warfare.”

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Australia the ‘only advanced military’ which does not have armed drones | Sky News Australia

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ANZAC Field of Remembrance

A message from Australian War Widows NSW

Have you heard of the ANZAC Field of Remembrance? This unique service has been held in Australia for 72 years and is the only commemoration where veteran families and war widows are at the centre of the service.

During a moving commemoration, war widows and veteran families have the opportunity to lay their own personal tribute to their loved ones in front of honoured guests gathered to pay their respects.

Australian War Widows NSW (soon to be Families of Veterans Guild) will be live-streaming this significant event from St Andrew’s Cathedral, Sydney. Join them online on Friday 19 April from 10.30am to watch this unique and personal service on their YouTube Channel.

Cannot make it online that day? Do not worry – the service will be available for all to watch on the YouTube channel after the event.

If you need any assistance or have any questions, please call 02 9267 6577 or email

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Can you access the Booked Car with Driver service?

16 April 2024

If you’re a Gold or White Card holder with eligibility under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) you may be able to access the Booked Car with Driver (BCWD) service, where DVA arranges taxi or hire car travel on your behalf with no out of pocket expenses.

The service is designed to meet the needs of vulnerable clients who meet certain criteria.

If you’re aged 80 years and older, or living with dementia (any age), or are legally blind (any age), you can access BCWD to attend approved treatment at all locations.

If you’re aged 79 years or younger, you may still have access if certain medical and treatment location criteria are met.

White Card holders must also be travelling for treatment of a condition covered by your Card to be eligible.

Improving communication on BCWD is a priority, so we’ve developed an infographic to help you understand if you’re eligible and how you can access the service.

Visit the Booked Car with Driver webpage to view the infographic and learn more about the service.

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Defence Minister to Reveal Program Cuts for Military Overhaul

Defence Minister Richard Marles is poised to announce reductions to various programs in a move to allocate resources to essential sectors as part of a restructuring of the Australian armed forces. Today, in an address to the National Press Club in Canberra, Mr. Marles will unveil a fresh national defence strategy. Last April, the government issued a defence strategic review, revealing that the Australian Defence Force was no longer adequately equipped for its intended purposes.

The upcoming recalibration is expected to prioritise the development of new missiles and drones. Opposition defence spokesman Andrew Hastie emphasized that for Marles to demonstrate effective leadership, the new plans must transcend mere rhetoric and vague promises. He stressed the necessity for tangible financial investment, genuine commitment, and decisive leadership.

Hastie underscored the importance of Marles providing transparent insights into the nation’s security challenges. He insisted that this transparency must be complemented by a substantial increase in defence spending and a well-defined strategy. Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, advocated for the swift implementation of an integrated air and missile defense system to safeguard critical infrastructure in Australia’s northern regions.

Davis cited the recent barrage of over 300 weapons, missiles, and drones launched by Iran against Israel, noting that the majority were successfully intercepted. He cautioned that without such a defence system in place, the outcome could have been vastly different.

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Escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea dispute.

Following a recent summit alongside President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington, Marcos has provided insights into potential scenarios involving the US, a treaty ally of the Philippines, amid escalating tensions between Manila and Beijing over the South China Sea dispute.

The recent clash in March saw two Chinese coast guard ships unleash water cannons on a Philippine vessel, resulting in injuries to three Filipino navy personnel and significant damage to the boat. China asserts extensive territorial claims over the resource-rich South China Sea.

Biden’s recent reaffirmation of defence commitments to Asian allies reflects concerns regarding China’s increasingly assertive behaviours. Since assuming office in 2022, Marcos has actively defended the Philippines’ claims in the contested waters while strengthening security ties with the US and Japan.

Under the 2014 Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, the US gained access to four additional Philippine sites last year, supplementing the initially designated five military bases. These new sites are strategically located near Taiwan and the South China Sea.

Marcos clarified on Monday that while the Philippines has no immediate plans to grant the US access to further bases, discussions are underway for a reciprocal access agreement with Japan, facilitating mutual military visits.

Moreover, Marcos aims to leverage the deepening defence relations with the US and its allies for broader economic advantages. One potential avenue being explored is oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea, where US companies may be invited to participate.

Despite an agreement between the Philippines and China to resume joint exploration talks in January last year, differences persist regarding the governing laws for such projects. Marcos emphasized the importance of determining the applicable law, asserting that exploration within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone should be conducted by the Philippines. Meanwhile, exploration in non-conflict areas remains a possibility for the Philippines.

 

 

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If this is fact, how can it continue at this rate?

Russian forces are continuing to suffer losses in Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, with 830 soldiers, 47 armoured combat vehicles, and 22 tanks lost over the past 24 hours alone.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook

Details: The total combat losses of the Russian forces between 24 February 2022 and 10 April 2024 are estimated to be as follows [figures in parentheses represent the latest losses – ed.]:

  • 450,080 (+830) military personnel;
  • 7,132 (+22) tanks;
  • 13,667 (+47) armoured combat vehicles;
  • 11,404 (+18) artillery systems;
  • 1,040 (+1) multiple-launch rocket systems;
  • 753 (+0) air defence systems;
  • 347 (+0) fixed-wing aircraft;
  • 325 (+0) helicopters;
  • 9,070 (+37) strategic and tactical UAVs;
  • 2,067 (+2) cruise missiles;
  • 26 (+0) ships and boats;
  • 1 (+0) submarines;
  • 15,248 (+67) vehicles and tankers;
  • 1,876 (+8) special vehicles and other equipment.
  • The information is being confirmed.
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