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South Korea will be allowed to build a nuclear-powered submarine, US President Donald Trump says. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumTrump greenlights nuclear powered submarine for S.Korea

Permission to build a nuclear-powered submarine has been granted to South Korea, President Donald Trump says after finalising details of a fraught trade deal.

Josh Smith, David Brunnstrom and Costas Pitas

Hanwha is currently the second-largest shareholder in Austal with a 9.9 per cent holding but is seeking to increase its stake to 19.9 per cent.

ManufacturingCommentsPremiumHanwha holds out hope of landing biggest stake in Austal

South Korean defence giant Hanwha has declared confidence that its proposed bid to double its stake in Henderson-based shipbuilder Austal will soon be approved by the Australian Government. 

Andrew Greene

Virginia-class attack submarine USS Vermont arrives at HMAS Stirling today with a crew comprised of Australian, American and British officer and sailors. Michael Wilson

Federal PoliticsCommentsAtomic arrival: US nuclear sub docks in Perth in AUKUS prep

An American nuclear submarine where one in 10 crew members is Australian has arrived at the Garden Island naval base for a month-long maintenance stopover, ahead of regular AUKUS rotations that begin in 2027. 

Andrew Greene

Austal chief executive Paddy Gregg.

ManufacturingCommentsPremiumAustal chair says he’s seen no proof of Hanwha’s value-add

Austal’s AGM has heard Hanwha has still to provide any evidence of how it can benefit the Andrew Forrest-backed company, which is set to score billions of dollars in new Australian defence contracts.

Sean Smith

Matt Hill and Dr Michael Smart (right) have developed a hypersonic aircraft with zero emissions. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumSkies the limit for Aussie hydrogen-powered space drone

An Australian aerospace company is building the world's first reusable, hydrogen-powered hypersonic unmanned aircraft for military and aerospace missions.

Aaron Bunch

Women who have been sexually harassed and assaulted in the Australian Defence Force are taking part in a class action. PICTURED: Jane Inglis Unknown

Federal PoliticsADF women launch class action alleging sexual misconduct

Women who served in the Australian Defence Force have filed a new class action against the Commonwealth alleging widespread and systemic sexual harassment and assault. 

Caitlyn Rintoul

The opposition and a defence expert warn against deploying a larger Australian contingent to Gaza. (Glenn Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumAustralia limits boots on ground in Gaza reconstruction

Sending a larger group of Australian troops to Gaza would not be backed by the opposition, with an expert warning resources should stay in the Pacific region.

Tess Ikonomou

A military truck was involved in a crash in which a motorist was taken to hospital with injuries. (Danny Casey/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumMilitary truck involved in crash as driver hospitalised

A military truck has rolled after colliding with a car, with the motorist taken to hospital for injuries.

Jack Gramenz

A Chinese jet released a flare near an Australian surveillance plane in the latest defence incident. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumChina's unsafe jet flare stirs safety, aggression fears

A flare shot from a Chinese fighter jet near an Australian military surveillance plane could have ended in a crash as tensions simmer in the region.

Tom Wark

China's No.2 general and other officials have been expelled in a government anti-corruption drive. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumChina expels senior general in anti-corruption drive

China's No.2 general and eight other senior officials have been expelled from the ruling party and military on suspicion of serious official misconduct.

Staff Writers

An Australian soldier has been killed and two others injured in a training incident. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremiumMuch-loved soldier dies in routine training accident

Multiple groups will be involved in an investigation into a fatal army training incident as the soldier's superiors pay tribute to his distinguished service.

Jack Gramenz and Alex Mitchell

Aerial imagery of Henderson, Western Australia.

AUKUSCommentsDefence Department grilled on slow Henderson revamp project

Defence insists site boundaries for a new precinct at Henderson to support AUKUS will be determined ‘at the right time’ despite concerns about the arrival of US nuclear-powered submarines due in WA from 2027. 

Andrew Greene

If Europe hesitates to act, the grey-zone campaign will grow, Ursula von der Leyen warns. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumEU chief urges response to Russia's 'grey zone' attacks

Russia is conducting a hybrid campaign against Europe that will only get worse if the bloc doesn't fight back, the EU's top official warns.

Lorne Cook

Premier Roger Cook and Defence Industries Minister Paul Papalia speak to the media at Dumas House today. Michael Wilson

State PoliticsCommentsPremiumSubmarine scramble: WA to launch defence super-agency

The Cook Government will establish WA’s own defence authority to support the roll-out of AUKUS, continuous naval ship building and the State’s other military programs and investments.

Charlton Hart

A judge ruled there was no evidence that protests in Portland required National Guard troops. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumTrump blocked from sending National Guard to Oregon

A US judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deploying National Guard units to Oregon, including Guard troops from other states.

Staff Writers

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned about the build-up of US forces. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumN Korea to develop additional military measures: Kim

Kim Jong-un says North Korea "will undoubtedly develop additional military measures" in preparation to respond to the build-up of US forces.

Staff Writers

The deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago follows similar moves in other parts of the US. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumTrump authorises National Guard troops to Chicago

The Trump administration has authorised the deployment of 300 members of the Illinois National Guard to Chicago.

Thomas Peipert

Australia and Papua New Guinea are agreeing to come to the aid of the other if under attack. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)

DefencePremium'Match your words': Australia to pony up for PNG pact

Defence spending will need to be boosted for Australia to fulfil a landmark treaty with PNG, but experts say the money will be worth it.

Callum Godde

There is increasing support among European leaders to use frozen Russian assets for a Ukraine loan. (AP PHOTO)

DefencePremiumEU states must share risk to use frozen Russian assets

Belgium wants guarantees it won't have to bear risks alone if Europe goes ahead with an idea to use frozen Russian assets to finance loans to Ukraine.

Andrew Gray and Jan Strupczewski and Ingrid Melander

NATO's chief backs the idea of a "drone wall" to protect Europe's eastern flank from incursions. (AP PHOTO)

DefenceEU leaders back 'drone wall' to repel Russian intrusion

Recent airspace incursions by drones and fighter jets prompt European leaders to support a "drone wall" defence system to protect the bloc's eastern flank.

Andrew Gray, Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Ingrid Melander

Defence Personnel Minister Matt Keogh, left, with Defence Minister Richard Marles at VEEM’s Canning Vale plant.

ManufacturingPremiumVEEM shares leap on US nuclear subs contract win

The nine-year Northrop Grumman deal, which is valued at an initial $US33m ($50.2m), will enable VEEM to compete to supply pre-determined castings for the US Navy’s Virginia-class nuclear submarines.

Sean Smith

The Trump administration is reportedly set to maintain its original timeline for the $368b AUKUS deal, which will include the sale of three second-hand Virginia boats from 2032.

AUKUSCommentsTrump administration set to back AUKUS after review: Report

The Trump administration is reportedly set to maintain its original timeline for the $368b AUKUS deal, which will include the sale of three second-hand Virginia boats from 2032.

Andrew Greene

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia had launched around 500 drones and more than 40 missiles during the attack which killed at least four people in the capital Kyiv. 

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
DefenceComments
The West Australian exclusive
RAAF helps defend European airspace during Russian strikes

A high-tech Australian military surveillance plane was dispatched to skies above eastern Europe early on Sunday as Russia launched a series of devastating missile and drone strikes against Ukraine.

Andrew Greene

Aerial imagery of Henderson, Western Australia Image supplied by Ventia. *** Local Caption *** The Australian Government will establish a consolidated Commonwealth Defence precinct at Western Australias Henderson Shipyard to underpin billions of dollars of investment in defence capability in the West and support thousands of well-paid, high-skilled local jobs.

InfrastructureCommentsPremiumPerth’s new corridor of power will cost 10 Olympic Games

Huge investment is set for Perth’s South West. How do we prevent the boom bust cycle?

Kim Macdonald