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Navy

Best friends Gary and Duncan survived the HMAS Voyager disaster. Sixty years on, their emotional scars are still deep

As survivors mark the grim anniversary of the accident that claimed 82 lives, they describe the lasting impacts and invaluable camaraderie that has helped them come to terms with what they experienced.
Updated
black and white image of a smashed up boat bow

Yemen's Houthis damage two ships in Red Sea and threaten to 'further escalate'

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis say they have fired missiles at two more vessels in the Red Sea, causing damage to the ships.
A group of men with their arms raised with guns.

US military ends search for Navy SEALs lost in Arabian Sea

The US military says the sailors were taking part in a January raid on an unflagged ship carrying illicit Iranian made-weapons.
A blue, green and red ship floating in the ocean.

Australia declines US request for Red Sea warship, sending personnel instead

Australia will not send a warship to the Red Sea as part of international efforts to safeguard cargo from attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.
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Naval personnel stand on the ship HMAS Toowoomba, looking out to sea during a deployment in Japan

Over 700 Americans and nuclear waste management — WA AUKUS plans revealed

AUKUS documents reveal that WA will have a low-level radioactive waste management system in place as well as receiving an influx of more than 700 Americans to work on the project.
The top bit of a submarine in the water next to a large grey ship flying the US flag

How drone attacks in the Red Sea could cause major disruptions to global trade

The US and British militaries say they have shot down 15 attack drones targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea. Australian peak shipping bodies warn there could be major implications. 
Updated
a big ship in the ocean

Mystery, mutiny and a missing ship, but what happened to the HMAS Matafele?

HMAS Matafele disappeared without a trace during a treacherous sea voyage in 1944, but a stroke of fortune meant a 19-year-old crewman missed the boat.
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Image of naval cargo ship HMAS Matafele at sea.

Navy declares it's ready for any Middle East deployment following United States request

The commander of Australia's naval fleet says the service is well prepared to deploy a warship to the Middle East if the Albanese government agrees to join an international mission to protect merchant vessels in the Red Sea.
Three sailors wave on the deck of a boat with a city skyline, water and a ferry visible in the background

AUKUS backers insist future presidents can be trusted as laws pass US Congress

Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines hits another major milestone, as supporters of the deal seek to ease concerns that it could be torn up by a future US president.
Anthony Albanese, Joe Biden, and Rishi Sunak at the launch of the AUKUS deal in the US

US military grounds entire fleet of Osprey aircraft following latest deadly crash off Japan

The US military takes the extraordinary step of grounding hundreds of aircraft after a preliminary investigation of last week's fatal crash indicated that something wrong with the aircraft — and not a mistake by the crew — led to the accident.
Osprey military aircraft taking off from landing helicopter assault vessel.

Previously secret report raises doubts about $45 billion Defence program

The navy removed a requirement for "value for money" from the tender process for its $45 billion future frigate program, with previously secret documents also revealing the Department of Defence selected a controversial British warship design despite being aware of potential risks.
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Tim Barrett speaking at an event in military dress

Philippines coast guard says presence of more than 135 Chinese maritime vessels is 'alarming'

The Philippines Coast Guard says the maritime vessels were "scattered" within Whitsun Reef, about 320 kilometres west of Palawan Island and more than 1,000 kilometres from China's Hainan Island.
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Dozens of Chinese ships chase Philippine coast guard

'This is moving fast': New AUKUS initiative with submarine-tracking AI announced

Australia will join the US and UK in testing a new way of tracking Chinese submarines using artificial intelligence. The announcement comes a fortnight after Australian naval divers were injured in an incident with a Chinese warship.
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A the upper section of a submarine flying Chinese flags is visible above the sea, a seagul also flies in frame

Wong and Dutton press top Chinese official over 'unsafe, unprofessional' warship conduct

The foreign minister and opposition leader press a top Chinese official over the "unsafe and unprofessional" conduct of a People's Liberation Army warship that confronted an Australian frigate earlier this month.
HMAS Toowoomba

Australian Navy vessels need to act 'with prudence' in waters near China, top Chinese official says

The warning comes in the wake of a confrontation between Australian frigate HMAS Toowoomba and a Chinese warship, which left two Australian divers with minor injuries.
HMAS Toowoomba

Australian warship involved in a Chinese sonar incident begins joint naval drills with Philippines in South China Sea

HMAS Toowoomba, whose divers sustained minor injuries from a Chinese sonar pulse, has now begun joint naval patrols in the South China Sea where regional tensions with Beijing are growing.
A dozen men in military uniforms stand around the rim of a ship floating on water

United States warns China to be 'safe and professional' following sonar attack on Australian naval divers

Just days after a Chinese warship caused minor injuries to Australian defence personnel, the US Navy is warning Beijing to respect international law.
A gun being fired off a boat on the ocean with blue sky above

China reacts after Australian warship HMAS Toowoomba transits Taiwan Strait

Taiwan's defence ministry said an Australian ship, understood to be the HMAS Toowoomba, has sailed through the strategic waterway, after its personnel were injured by a Chinese sonar pulse. 
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a zoomed out picture of a ship in the middle of the ocean

Tensions high in parliament over Chinese warship incident

China's government has denied its navy behaved unprofessionally when it injured Australian divers after firing a sonar pulse between China and Japan.
ABC News Current
Duration: 2 minutes 23 seconds

Opposition rejects China's response to sonar injury claim

China's denial that it sent sonar pulses that left Australian naval divers with minor injuries has been labelled propaganda by the opposition. 
HMAS Toowoomba

Opposition says government should 'call out' China over sonar pulse incident

Beijing has denied Australia's account of events after the sonar pulse injured navy divers, but the US among others have thrown their support behind Australia's version of events.
ABC News Current
Duration: 2 minutes 57 seconds

PM won't be drawn on if he spoke to Xi about ADF divers as China's military deny Australia's version of events

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will not say what he raised with Chinese leader Xi Jinping at their meeting last week, days after the Chinese navy used "dangerous" sonar pulses that harmed Australian defence personnel
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Albanese sits with a quizzical look at the despatch box on the house of representatives floor.

Military warships use sonar for tracking underwater targets. But how dangerous is it to humans?

Australian naval personnel have sustained minor injuries to their ears after being subjected to sonar pulses from a Chinese warship. Here's what you need to know about the technology.
HMAS Toowoomba

Australian navy divers injured after confrontation with Chinese warship

Several Australian navy divers have been injured after a confrontation with a Chinese warship off Japan's coast.
ABC News Current
Duration: 1 minute 59 seconds

Naval personnel injured by Chinese warship sonar pulses, Opposition criticises government timing

Naval divers working to clear fishing nets from the HMAS Toowoomba's propellers were forced to exit the water when a Chinese warship began operating its hull-mounted sonar, in an incident labelled "unsafe and unprofessional".
Updated
HMAS Toowoomba