News Story: ASEAN-Plus defense ministers to discuss terrorism, drug trafficking in Philippines

MANILA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and eight dialogue partners will convene in the Philippines next month to discuss fighting terrorism, drug trafficking and maritime conflicts, the Philippine defense chief said on Thursday.

Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that ministers will also discuss ways to mitigate climate change and cushion its impact on the region.

"We are going to have some statements with ASEAN countries but we are also having dialogues with our eight other dialogue partners," Lorenzana told reporters.

He described the forthcoming high-level security meeting, dubbed the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), as "a huge conference" that is hoped to address issues that threaten peace and security of the region.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Vietnam, Australia hold foreign affairs, defence strategic dialogue

Sydney (VNA) – The fifth foreign affairs and defence strategic dialogue at the deputy ministerial level between Vietnam and Australia was organised in Canberra on September 27.

The event was chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Dinh Quy and Australia’s Deputy Secretary Defence People Rebecca Skinner and Deputy Secretary in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Gary Quinlan.

During the dialogue, the two sides agreed to continue boosting the Vietnam-Australia relations in the fields of politics, economics, trade, defence, security, agriculture, education and training, tourism and people-to-people diplomacy.

They exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, while pledging to maintain close coordination at multilateral forums, including the United Nations, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and forums led by ASEAN such as the East Asia Summit and the ASEAN Regional Forum, in order to promote dialogue and cooperation, and maintain peace, stability and order in the region.

Read the full story at VietnamPlus

Industry: Navantia Congratulates (AUS) Navy on the Commissioning of HMAS Hobart

HMAS Hobart (File Photo)

The commissioning of HMAS Hobart (III) into service by the Royal Australian Navy on Saturday, 23 September 2017 marks the achievement of a major milestone for both Navantia Australia and the Australian shipbuilding industry and workforce. The ship was built under the AWD Alliance.

Navantia commenced operating in Australia in 2006 when the AWD Project was just beginning. Since that time and its selection in 2007 as ship designer, Navantia has worked closely with Australia and Australian industry to bring this ship into reality.

“Navantia Australia is very proud of our role as ship designer and shipbuilding management services provider for the AWD Alliance,” said Donato Martínez, Navantia Australia’s managing director. “Through our experience in the AWD program, Navantia Australia has developed strong partnerships with Australian industry and a deep understanding of the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Defence Force requirements.” 

News Story: Philippines, Australia conduct maritime patrol in Sulu Sea

ANZAC class Frigate like HMAS Parramatta

By Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine Navy and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) conducted joint maritime patrol exercises in the Sulu Sea, the site of frequent cross-border kidnapping and hijacking attacks by militants linked to the Abu Sayyaf group.

Rear Admiral Rene Medina of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) said the three-day exercise started Friday between Del Pilar Class Frigate BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF16), under Cmdr. Glen Dizon, and its counterpart Her Majesty Australian Ship (HMAS) Parramatta of the RAN.

He said Australian Embassy in the Philippines' defense attaché Capt. Bradley Ian White headed the delegation of HMAS Parramatta.

BRP Alcaraz is currently under the operational control of Naval Task Group-Tawi-Tawi of the NFWM that is guarding the border under orders from President Rodrigo Duterte.

Medina said the exercises were designed to strengthen the defense relationship of both navies through an established communication while conducting joint maritime patrols in the region.

Read the full story at PhilStar

USA: Key West joins Japanese, Australian subs in exercise

From Submarine Group 7 Public Affairs

USS Key West (SSN 722) file photo. (U.S. Navy/MC1 Byron C. Linder) >>

YOKOSUKA, Japan - The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) participated in the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) trilateral Submarine Competition (SUBCOMP) exercise in waters south of Japan, which also included participation by a Royal Australian Navy (RAN) submarine, Sept. 12-19.

The SUBCOMP exercise provided an excellent opportunity to further the integration and trilateral coordination in an anti-submarine warfare (ASW) environment for the three navies.

This year’s SUBCOMP involved four JMSDF submarines, a RAN Collins-class submarine HMAS Dechaineux (SSG 76), and Key West.

The competition stressed each crew’s ability to conduct various aspects of ASW. The top performer is recognized with the Japanese Battle Efficiency Award.

News Story: Australia, Japan and India Look to South China Sea

HMAS Adelaide and her escorts leave Sydney for Exercises

By Noel Tarrazona

Three major countries in the Asia Pacific region are expected to continue to make their naval presence felt in the South China Sea amid the Philippine’s softening sovereignty stance in the disputed waters. 

Australia, Japan and India are all making moves in the region at a time when the Philippines is softening its stance, collaborating with China in oil and gas exploration and accepting the increasing presence of Chinese vessels within its exclusive economic zone.

Tokyo has just announced that  Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held an exclusive security meeting with India’s leader Narendra Modi to finalize a maritime security cooperation deal in response to the growing naval presence of China in the South China Sea.

With this development, the Indian external affairs ministry along with Japan’s counterpart  met with  U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in New York to discuss how to assert the freedom of navigation and respect for international law in the global maritime.

Earliser this year, Japan has sent a helicopter-carrying warship into the South China Sea after making a port call in Vietnam, and the ISEAS Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore has noted that Japan plans to continue to deploy  low-key patrols in Southeast Asia waters. Institute analyst Le Hong Hiep says that India is also looking at Vietnam as its entry point for establishing presence in the South China Sea. 

Read the full story at MarEx

USA: USS Bonhomme Richard returns to Sasebo after 4-month patrol

By MC2 Diana Quinlan, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) passes Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Kirisame (DD 104) upon its return to Sasebo, Sept. 25. (U.S. Navy/MC1 David R. Krigbaum) >>

SASEBO, Japan - The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) returned to Sasebo, Japan, after completing a four-month deployment in the 7th Fleet area of operations, Sept. 25.

While deployed to the South Pacific, Bonhomme Richard, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), participated in the bilateral, biennial U.S.-Australia exercise Talisman Saber 2017, completed amphibious integration training (AIT), successfully certified during the 31st MEU's certification exercise (CERTEX) and completed an amphibious maritime warfare (AMW) evaluation.

Additionally, Bonhomme Richard conducted port visits to Australia's cities of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, during which many Sailors and Marines participated in community service projects, including visits to children's hospitals and care centers for underprivileged and disabled members of the local communities. Alongside the multiple COMREL events, the crew also hosted several ship tours to allow Australian allies a look into life aboard a U.S. naval amphibious vessel.

News Story: China, Australia agree to increase police cooperation

BEIJING, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Australian police Monday signed a protocol to strengthen cooperation in police work and combating trans-national crime.

An action plan to jointly crack down on economic crime was also signed, and the Australian Federal Police handed back 1.15 million yuan in illegally-obtained assets they had confiscated.

The assets were seized from two Chinese suspects, identified by their surnames Xue and Gu, who have been charged with illegally receiving public deposits.

China is currently working on an anti-corruption campaign which targets both high-ranking "tigers" and lowly "flies."

Read the full story at Xinhua

India: Visit of Chief of the Air Staff to Australia

Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Chief of the Air Staff is on an official visit to Australia from 19-22 Sep 17. The visit is intended to further strengthen the existing defence cooperation between the Air Forces of the two countries. 

During his stay, he is scheduled to hold talks with top brass of the Royal Australian Air Force on security challenges being faced by the two forces in the current geopolitical scenario and explore ways to deepen defence cooperation. The main focus of the visit is on improving bilateral relations, promoting defence ties and exploring further area of defence cooperation between the two Air Forces. 

During the visit, the CAS would visit the Headquarters of Royal Australian Air Force and operational air bases. 

Indian Press Information Bureau

News Report: Australia Positioning to Help US Check China’s Maritime Expansion

Royal Australian Navy Ships leave Sydney for Exercises

Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI, TAIWAN — Australia, concerned about its vast regional trade network, is joining Japan, India and the United States in countering Chinese expansion in Asia’s biggest maritime dispute.

Six Australian warships were moving toward the South China Sea this week, with no publicized destination, for military exercises. Australian media has called the mission their country’s largest in 30 years.

“There is certainly a view in some quarters in Australia that one of Australia’s contributions to diplomacy and international affairs in Asia is as a security player,” said Jeffrey Wilson, a fellow with the Asia Research Centre at Murdoch University in Perth. “We have a very small defense force, but very high tech, high capacity.”

Australia’s leaders want their electorate, as well as its Asian neighbors, to see Canberra as a defender of rule of law in the South China Sea, consistent with its role since the Cold War, analysts say.

The Australian Department of Defense says that by 2021 it will raise the military budget to 2 percent of GDP, one of the fastest-growing in the Asia Pacific. The budget is $27.4 billion for 2017-2018.

News Story: Australian Military Revises Small Drone Operating Procedures

DJI Phantom 3 UAV (File Photo)

by Bill Carey

Australia’s Department of Defence has established “revised operating procedures” for small unmanned aircraft, an action that follows a U.S. Army directive to its units in August to stop using drones manufactured by China’s DJI because of “cyber vulnerabilities.”

On August 9, “after Defence became aware of the U.S. Army’s actions, the use of all commercial off-the-shelf UAS[unmanned aerial systems] was suspended until a formal assessment into the cyber risk presented by these systems could be conducted,” said a spokesperson with the Australian department, in a statement provided to AIN. “Flight operations recommenced on 21 August 2017 following the completion of the risk assessment that led to the development of revised operating procedures for commercial off-the-shelf unmanned aerial systems.”

Australia’s military “operates a number commercial off-the-shelf UAS, including the DJI Phantom,” according to the statement, which did not describe the revised operating procedures. The Australian newspaper first reported the revised procedures.

Citing “increased awareness over cyber vulnerabilities associated with DJI products,” the U.S. Army in an August 2 memorandum ordered units to “cease all use, uninstall all DJI applications, remove all batteries/storage media from devices, and secure equipment for follow-on direction.” The memorandum, which was leaked to the news service sUAS News, cited as references a classified Army Research Laboratory report on DJI technology and a U.S. Navy memorandum regarding operational risks of using DJI products.

Read the full story at AINonline

AUS: Australia-United States Alliance stronger than ever before

Minister for Defence
Marise Payne

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said the Australia-US Alliance continues to go from strength to strength, following a successful visit to the United States.

Minister Payne travelled to Honolulu and Washington DC from 18-22 September, where she met with senior members of the Trump Administration, including US Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis.

At their 20 September meeting in Washington DC, Minister Payne and Secretary Mattis discussed global security threats and challenges, as well as priorities for the Alliance.

“Australia and the US will continue to work together on the security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including countering the threat posed by Daesh in the Philippines," Minister Payne said.

USA: Mattis, Australian Counterpart Discuss Defense Relationship, Challenges

Australian and US military personal (File Photo)

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2017 — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis hosted Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne for a bilateral meeting at the Pentagon yesterday to discuss the defense relationship between their nations and the regional security challenges they continue to face, chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said.

In a statement summarizing the meeting, White said Mattis expressed his sincere and deep appreciation to Payne for Australia's assistance in the search, rescue and recovery efforts following the early August MV-22 Osprey incident that took the lives of three Marines off the Australian coast.

100 Years of 'Mateship'

"Secretary Mattis also highlighted the upcoming celebration of the first hundred years of 'Mateship' that underpins the ironclad Australia-U.S. alliance," White said, referring to the close bond formed between the United States and Australia when their troops fought side by side during World War I. "The relationship is built from tight bonds of trust, respect and friendship."

The two leaders also discussed concerns about destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and the threat posed by North Korea, White said. "They emphasized the importance of the international community coming together to hold Kim Jong-Un's regime accountable and pressuring North Korea to give up their illegal nuclear weapons program," she added.

Mattis and Payne also reaffirmed their continued commitment and support to address the growing threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and other extremist groups, particularly in Southeast Asia, she said.

US DoD

News Story: Chinese, Australian armies conclude joint training exercise

KUNMING, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese and Australian armies have concluded a joint military training exercise in China.

"Exercise Panda-Kangaroo 2017" was held at a training ground in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, according to Chinese military sources Thursday.

Ten members from each of the two countries' armies participated in the training, which began on Sept. 10 and concluded Wednesday.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Varley selected for Australian production of SPIKE LR II missile

Spike anti tank missile (Image: Wiki Commons)

Varley Australia has announced a joint venture with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for local production and assembly of high-end technologies in support of future Defence contracts.

Varley stated that it has been selected to create a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Australia that will provide production and support of the SPIKE LR II missile, after Rafael conducted a comprehensive assessment of Australian manufacturing facilities and operations.

The joint venture would be the first entity to manufacture the SPIKE LR II outside of Israel.

Read the full story at ADBR

USA: Bonhomme Richard ESG completes deployment with 31st MEU

By MC2 Sarah Villegas, ESG 7 Public Affairs

In this file photo, ships of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group form up with ships from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy during exercise Talisman Saber in July. (Royal Australian Navy/LSIS Helen Frank) >>

OKINAWA, Japan - The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) arrived in Okinawa, Japan, to offload the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Sept. 19, capping a multi-month deployment in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, deployed together since early June, successfully completed multiple certifications, participated in Talisman Saber 17, and conducted port visits throughout Australia.

The Blue-Green Team participated in the biennial exercise Talisman Saber off the coast of Australia to achieve interoperability and strengthen the U.S.-Australia alliance. The bilateral training tested watchstanders in nearly every domain—surface, air, undersea—and increased proficiencies in the ESG’s primary mission of landing forces ashore.

News Story: Sixth RAAF KC-30A arrives at Amberley

The sixth Airbus Defence and Space KC-30A MRTT for the RAAF arrived at Amberley, south-east Queensland on September 1.

The former A330-203 airliner saw service with Qantas and Jetstar as VH-EBH and first flew in 2007. It was converted to MRTT configuration by Airbus Defence and Space at Getafe near Madrid and arrived at Amberley, where it will enter service with 33 Squadron, wearing its Spanish test registration MRTT039.

The aircraft requires the completion of airworthiness directive (AD) and service bulletin (SB) work, Australian Defence Business Review understands, as well as hardware and software configuration upgrades to bring it up to a common standard with the RAAF’s five existing KC-30As before being accepted into service.

Read the full story at ADBR

News Story: 3 Marawi siege leaders dead, 2 still fighting

By Jim Gomez

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine military chief said Monday that three leaders of Islamic State-linked militants who besieged a southern city have been killed in months of fighting but two others, including one of Asia's most wanted terror suspects, were still alive and leading a final stand.

Military chief of staff Gen. Eduardo Ano said about 10 foreign militants, mostly Malaysians and Indonesians, were still fighting together with a few dozen local militants in a lakeside community in Marawi city after a series of battle setbacks.

Ano and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana presented in a news conference a Catholic priest, Father Teresito Soganub, who they said was rescued along with a teacher by troops late Saturday after a mosque used as snipers' post and bomb-making area by the militants fell after a five-hour battle.

"Pray for me for my healing and recovery," said the 51-year-old Soganub, who appeared remarkably healthy with a long, white beard.

He smiled and waved at photographers and TV cameras before being ushered out of a military hall without taking any questions. The priest survived in militant custody through more than three months of daily airstrikes, artillery bombardment and gunfire and, according to Ano, refused to go along with a plan to escape by other hostages.

"No, allow me to die here. I have already accepted my fate," Ano quoted Soganub as telling fellow hostages, who once considered making a dash to freedom out of desperation.

At least 45 hostages remain in the custody of a few dozen remaining gunmen and efforts to rescue them are underway, he said.

Read the full story at PhilStar

AUS: Minister for Defence - Visit to the United States

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, will travel to Honolulu and Washington DC from 18 to 21 September.

In Honolulu, Minister Payne will meet with the leadership of United States Pacific Command, including Commander US Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris.

“Australia’s Alliance with the United States remains central to Australia’s strategic security arrangements. The Australian Defence Force’s close relationship with Pacific Command is a vital part of that,” Minister Payne said.

“My visit to Honolulu will be an opportunity to discuss joint approaches to the key strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific and reinforce the strength of the Australia-United States Alliance.”

News Report: Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi to Give National Address on Rakhine Crisis

Aung San Suu Kyi

Margaret Besheer

UNITED NATIONS — Myanmar's de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi is scheduled to give a highly anticipated national speech Tuesday addressing her country's crisis in Rakhine state, where ongoing violence has led about 400,000 ethnic Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh in recent weeks.

Rohingya militants attacked security forces in Myanmar — also known as Burma — in late August. Since then, analysts and rights workers say the Burmese military has carried out a brutal crackdown that has burned entire villages and killed fleeing women and children. 

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has come under strong international criticism for not speaking out more forcefully on the situation. She canceled her appearance at the United Nations General Assembly this week in part to address the ongoing crisis at home.

On the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York on Monday, diplomats from the United States, Britain and other countries concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Rakhine called for an end to the violence and for measures to relieve Rohingya refugees' suffering. U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said it was a "productive meeting about the dire situation," but that no improvement has been seen on the ground in the area where displaced Rohingyas have been fleeing into Bangladesh.