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Photo: Nafanua III is the 18th Guardian-class Patrol Boat to be delivered to Samoa – Photo provided by Austral.

The Australian government has formally presented a patrol boat known as Nafanua III to Samoa in a designated ceremony this week. The Minister of Police and Prisons for Samoa, along with the Commissioner of Police, accepted Nafanua III on behalf of the Samoan government from a representative of the federal government. This representative, acting on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, handed over the boat.

Nafanua III marks the 18th vessel delivered under a program initiated by the Australian government, namely the Pacific Maritime Security Program. This program, with a commitment lasting 30 years, aims to sustain continuous engagement with Pacific partners. The objective is to enhance the capabilities of these partners in achieving their security objectives, contributing to a stable, prosperous, and secure region.

The latest addition to the Guardian Class fleet will contribute to Samoa’s efforts in safeguarding its maritime sovereignty. It is designed to improve surveillance capabilities and facilitate rapid responses for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief when necessary.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence expressed satisfaction with the ongoing partnership between the Defence sector and the Samoa Police Service. The acquisition of Nafanua III is seen as a crucial step in supporting regional maritime security efforts.

Austal Australia, responsible for designing, constructing, and sustaining Nafanua III, has demonstrated sovereign capability in naval vessel development. The Guardian Class patrol boat, equipped with an integrated launch and recovery system, enhances the naval assets available to Pacific partners for various operations.

The 39.5-meter patrol boat, based on previous classes, adds to the list of vessels delivered by Austal Australia since November 2018. The company has successfully delivered a total of 29 ships, including Guardians, Evolved Capes, Capes, and high-speed ferries.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, recently took a stand against what he deemed as misleading information circulating in the media regarding the national Defence budget and spending. Breaking from his usual composed demeanour, Marles expressed his frustration with the media’s perceived lack of truthfulness during a press conference at the Indo Pacific Sea Power Conference, where he was accompanied by Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond.

The Minister’s response was triggered by ongoing scepticism directed at the federal government throughout the year, questioning Australia’s commitment to funding the Australian Defence Force and surpassing the 2 percent GDP allocation for defence. Despite the government’s earlier announcement of achieving the first federal budget surplus in 15 years, coupled with funding commitments to the AUKUS agreement and recommendations from the recently released Defence Strategic Review, doubts persisted.

Marles vehemently refuted the media claims, stating, “The comments that we see in the media today are just not true. They’re not true. And they really, they’re a pretty scant relationship to the truth.” He emphasized the government’s dedication to maintaining and, in fact, increasing Defence spending. According to Marles, since coming to power, there has been a 10 percent increase in Defence spending.

Addressing concerns about the Defence budget’s state when the current government took office, Marles highlighted the challenges inherited, including a quarter of expected Defence procurements lacking funding. He attributed this to the former government’s practice of announcing substantial programs without allocating sufficient funds, leading to overruns in projects like the Hunter program and offshore patrol vessels.

Marles defended the government’s decisions, emphasizing the commitment to rectify past deficiencies. He cited the focus on acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, doubling funding for guided weapons, and ensuring long-range strike capabilities. Despite acknowledging difficult decisions, Marles asserted that prioritizing a focused and impactful Defence Force was necessary.

The Minister also refuted claims regarding the reduction of infantry fighting vehicles in the LAND 400 project, explaining that the decision was driven by strategic intent and the impracticality of deploying many vehicles beyond Australia’s shores. He further justified the choices made by highlighting the establishment of a long-range strike brigade, enhancing the Australian Army’s lethality and potency.

In response to criticism about the Canberra Class landing helicopter dock’s deck upgrades for F-35 joint strike fighter aircraft deployment, Vice Admiral Mark Hammond officially ruled out such modifications during the same press conference, stating, “It’s not something I’m looking at.”

North Korea announced on Thursday its intention to deploy new military equipment along the military demarcation line separating it from South Korea. This decision comes in response to Seoul’s partial withdrawal from a 2018 agreement aimed at reducing tensions along the border, as reported by state-run media.

Seoul’s move to enhance intelligence and surveillance along the demilitarized zone (DMZ) follows North Korea’s launch of its first spy satellite on Tuesday. Analysts speculate that the satellite could provide valuable information for targeting adversaries’ forces.

This action by Seoul signifies a partial retreat from the Inter-Korean Military Agreement, signed in 2018 by then-South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The agreement, part of joint efforts with the US to mitigate the threat of war on the Korean Peninsula, aimed to widen the buffer zone between the two Koreas. However, goodwill generated by the agreement has dissipated over the years.

Kim, dissatisfied with the lack of concessions from the US and South Korea in subsequent talks, escalated North Korea’s ballistic missile program, expressing the intent to develop a nuclear deterrent comparable to that of Washington. In response to North Korea’s military buildup, the US, South Korea, and Japan have increased their military cooperation through exercises and deployments, perceived as a threat by Pyongyang.

Earlier in the week, North Korea criticized the US for potential sales of advanced missiles to Japan and military equipment to South Korea, labelling it a “dangerous act.” North Korea asserted that the offensive military equipment would inevitably be directed against them.

The North Korean Defence Ministry, on Thursday, declared that it would not be bound by the military agreement, pledging to deploy more potent armed forces and new military hardware along the Military Demarcation Line. The ministry claimed that South Korea’s intentional and provocative actions reduced the agreement to a mere “scrap of paper” and warned of severe consequences for its irresponsible provocations.

Pyongyang held South Korea “wholly accountable” for any clashes that might occur between the two Koreas. The situation along the military demarcation line, described as the world’s most acute military confrontation zone, was deemed irreversibly uncontrollable due to what North Korea termed as serious mistakes by the political and military authorities of the Republic of Korea (ROK).

The latest blow to Russia’s military prowess in Ukraine comes in the form of the confirmed loss of its cutting-edge armoured all-terrain vehicle, the Plastun-SN. This state-of-the-art troop carrier, recently deployed to military units, suffered a devastating fate, further denting the already beleaguered reputation of the Russian army.

A poignant image circulating on social media in the Russian segment unveils the aftermath of the incident – the remnants of the Plastun-SN, still smouldering from what appears to be a detonation on an anti-tank mine. This loss is particularly significant as Russian military forces had only received the initial batch of this equipment in October 2023.

The Plastun-SN, a specialized tracked all-terrain vehicle developed for evacuation purposes within the Russian army, has garnered the somewhat ironic nickname “Tuzik” on social media. The designation “SN” indicates its “Special Purpose” nature, emphasizing its versatility for tasks such as casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, and functioning as an 82mm self-propelled mortar.

Featuring composite armour protection capable of withstanding bullets ranging from 9x19mm to 7.62x39mm calibre, the Plastun-SN can accommodate up to eight personnel. This includes four rescuers, two injured individuals, and a two-person crew. Its multifaceted design underscores its importance in various military operations.

The loss of the Plastun-SN raises pertinent questions about the efficacy of Russia’s latest military assets in the ongoing war. With its deployment intended to bolster the capabilities of Russian forces, this incident serves as a significant setback, prompting a re-evaluation of the strategic advantages and vulnerabilities associated with the country’s state-of-the-art equipment on the battlefield. As the conflict continues, the fate of such advanced military assets becomes a focal point, influencing perceptions of Russia’s military might and its ability to navigate the complex and dynamic landscape of modern warfare.

Australia is grappling with a domestically originated inflation challenge, countering assertions that escalating prices are primarily influenced by global factors beyond the central bank’s sphere of influence. The inflationary issue is predominantly rooted in internal dynamics and demand, necessitating a considerable timeframe to realign inflation with the target.

Various services such as supermarkets, butchers, hairdressers, dentists, dining out, and recreational activities are witnessing substantial price hikes. The remarks made by Ms. Bullock aimed to refute the notion that interest rate increases were merely causing distress to borrowers, challenging the prevailing belief that inflation was predominantly steered by global factors.

The Albanese government has largely endorsed this perspective, with Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones emphasizing the universality of the situation across countries. While acknowledging global uncertainties, supply chain constraints, and decisions by oil-producing nations, Ms. Bullock asserted that supply-side factors no longer predominantly steer inflation, contrary to the previous year. Homegrown inflation, according to her, is more persistent than disruptions caused by supply-side issues, such as fluctuations in oil prices.

Ms. Bullock projected that the process of bringing inflation back to the target would extend over two years, necessitating a closer alignment of aggregate demand and supply. Despite her concerns about the potential durability of high inflation, market confidence in her raising the cash rate beyond 4.35 percent remains low. Market predictions indicate a mere 5 percent probability of a rate hike at the RBA’s final board meeting on December 5, with the likelihood peaking at approximately 40 percent in March 2024.

Ms. Bullock outlined three indicators suggesting that inflation is demand-driven. Firstly, it is widespread, with about two-thirds of items in the consumer price index basket experiencing inflation rates above 3 percent. Secondly, the labour-intensive services sector increasingly underpins inflation, driven by rising costs in wages, business rents, and insurance. Finally, the labor market remains exceptionally robust, with the jobless rate hovering around a five-decade low of 3.7 percent.

An Israeli sense of humour at United Nations set the record straight.

An ingenious example of speech and politics occurred recently in the United Nations Assembly and made the world community smile.

A representative from Israel began: ‘Before beginning my talk I want to tell you something about Moses: When he struck the rock and it brought forth water, he thought, “What a good opportunity to have a bath!”

Moses removed his clothes, put them aside on the rock and entered the water. When he got out and wanted to dress, his clothes had vanished. A Palestinian had stolen them!

The Palestinian representative at the UN jumped up furiously and shouted, “What are you talking about? The Palestinians weren’t there then.”

The Israeli representative smiled and said, “And now that we have made that clear, I will begin my speech.” ……………..

Pentagon officials confirmed on Tuesday that a ballistic missile attack on Al-Asad Airbase in Iraq resulted in several U.S. service members sustaining injuries. The assault, carried out by Iranian-backed militias on Monday night, involved a close-range ballistic missile and caused minor infrastructure damage, according to Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, a Pentagon spokesperson.

In response, the U.S. military executed an unplanned retaliatory strike, leading to the death of several Iranian-backed militia personnel. Brig. Gen. Ryder explained that a U.S. military AC-130 aircraft conducted a self-defence strike against an Iranian-backed militia vehicle and individuals involved in the attack immediately after it occurred.

The U.S. Central Command, via a tweet, reported that the AC-130 maintained visual confirmation of the individuals from the launch to the engagement. Furthermore, the U.S. conducted “precision strikes” against two facilities in Iraq early Wednesday morning, responding directly to the attacks on U.S. and coalition forces by Iran and its backed groups.

A U.S. official disclosed that the targets were an operations centre and a communications node affiliated with Kataib Hezbollah, a major Iran-backed militia in Iraq. The sites were manned at the time of the strikes, resulting in expected casualties. As of Wednesday morning, there had been no retaliatory action from Kataib Hezbollah.

Pentagon officials are still evaluating the U.S. service members injured in the attack. Notably, this incident marks the 66th attack on American-affiliated military bases in Iraq and Syria since October 17. The recent surge in attacks raises concerns globally, particularly amidst fears that the conflict between Israel and Hamas could escalate into a broader Middle East conflict.

While Iranian-backed groups have previously targeted U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria using drones and rockets, this missile attack on Al-Asad Airbase represents the first use of short-range missiles against American troops since October 17. Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh emphasized this during a Tuesday afternoon news conference.

Of the 66 attacks in the past month, 32 occurred in Iraq, and 34 in Syria, resulting in approximately 62 U.S. personnel injuries. These figures exclude the casualties from Monday’s attack. Iranian Foreign Minister Amir-Abdollahian, questioned about Iran’s support for militant groups, stated that these groups in Iraq and Syria make their own decisions.

When addressing potential future actions, Singh stated that the U.S. has not ruled anything out, emphasizing the right to respond at the chosen time and place. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, last month, asserted that the United States does not seek conflict but deems the Iranian-backed attacks against U.S. forces unacceptable and in need of cessation.

In early 1970, 8 RAR (Royal Australian Regiment) embarked on Operation Hammersley, a critical reconnaissance mission in the Long Hải area of Vietnam. Commencing on February 10th and lasting until March 9th, the operation proved to be a significant chapter in the battalion’s history.

The primary objective of Operation Hammersley was the capture of a substantial bunker complex held by the Vietcong (VC). On February 18th, after the VC defenders withdrew following air raids, 8 RAR successfully seized the complex. For their achievements, the battalion was honoured with the South Vietnamese Government’s Meritorious Unit Commendation, including the Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation.

During the operation, 8 RAR engaged in patrols and ambushes, effectively disrupting VC troop movements. The success of these operations contributed to the accolades awarded to the battalion. However, the tour was not without sacrifices, as by October 1970, 8 RAR had lost 18 men and had 108 wounded.

Operation Hammersley commenced as a routine security operation, with C Company, 8 RAR, supported by a troop of M113A1 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), Centurion tanks, and a mortar section from 8 RAR’s Support Company. The operation aimed to protect 17 Construction Squadron, Royal Australian Engineers, at a quarry in the western foothills of the Long Hai hills.

Second Lieutenant Peter Lauder’s courageous leadership during an ambush on February 15th led to the successful capture of a company-sized Viet Cong group, earning him the Military Cross. Despite subsequent attempts to engage the D445 Battalion, the Australians faced challenges, including delayed B-52 bombings and frustration over missed opportunities.

C Company, 8 RAR, mounted in M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers, led an advance on the bunker system on February 18th. However, they encountered fierce resistance, resulting in casualties and the loss of an APC. The wait for B-52s allowed the D445 Battalion to escape, leaving the Australians frustrated at the missed opportunity.

Despite three unsuccessful attacks, the Australians continued the operation, calling in airstrikes and B-52 bombings. However, the D445 Battalion managed to escape, leaving the Australians with regret. The frustration persisted as mine incidents occurred, causing casualties among the Australians.

On February 28th, tragedy struck when Sergeant Bill Hoban’s platoon encountered a mine. Seven men, including Hoban, were killed, and 13 others were wounded. A subsequent incident involving a RAAF Iroquois helicopter triggered another mine, resulting in additional casualties.

The operation continued with further incidents, including a booby trap that wounded seven Australians on March 6th. Operation Hammersley concluded on March 9th, marking a costly but impactful campaign for the 1st Australian Task Force. Despite suffering losses, the task force inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy, with significant captures of weapons, ammunition, and materiel.

Operation Hammersley stands as a testament to the challenges faced by 8 RAR in their efforts to pacify Phuoc Tuy and engage the enemy in the Long Hải region during the Vietnam War.