STS Defence will supply communications masts for the Royal Australian Navy’s first three Hunter class frigates. The design is based on the communications mast supplied for the UK Royal Navy’s Type 26 frigates.

The author argues a forum for senior officials and/or elected leaders from Australia, Japan, NZ, South Korea and the UK meeting on an annual basis could enhance their influence, strengthen shared values, and build resilience.

Australia’s investment in a new system strengthens its ability to plan, and execute air operations—ensuring faster decisions, reliable coordination, and improved awareness in increasingly contested environments. Contractor Leidos provides engineering, maintenance, and training support.

Australia’s decision to base ships on both coasts reshaped operations and culture—expanding infrastructure, training and support, while introducing challenges for personnel and long-term planning that continue to shape future capability development.

Moral leadership has historically strengthened US influence. Responses to Russia’s invasion must weigh more than power politics—it requires moral responsibility and values, ensuring smaller nations are not sacrificed to appease greater powers.

Bonus systems often fail to motivate because they create uncertainty, undermine intrinsic commitment, and can encourage unethical behaviour. Sustainable performance comes from autonomy, fairness, trust and purpose, rather than transactional rewards.

Ayatollah Khamenei reaffirmed Tehran’s defiance in the nuclear standoff, labelling negotiations with the U.S. futile and framing resistance to external pressure as central to Iran’s national identity, complicating prospects for diplomatic resolution.

South Korea has initiated efforts to normalize diplomatic relations with China, dispatching a high-level delegation to Beijing. This move aims to mend ties strained by past disputes, including the 2017 THAAD deployment.

Coordinated, multi-use infrastructure—planned with early Defence, government, commercial, and investor collaboration—is needed to boost resilience and capability, reduce duplication, and ensure assets remain adaptable for crises ranging from natural disasters to regional disruptions.

To ensure military AI systems are effective, ethical, and aligned with strategic goals, defence organizations must prioritize transparency, explainability, and rigorous oversight; moving beyond rapid deployment to responsible adoption of the technology.