The Royal New Zealand Navy is acquiring two vessels of the same class as Australia’s 12 Bluebottle’s. They can be launched from a standard boat ramp by an SUV and fit into a 40ft shipping container.

The US Marine's F-35C squadron has a history going back to the WW2 battle for Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands). The US Marines aim to phase out the AV-8B Harrier and F/A-18C/D Hornet by 2030 as deliveries of all F-35 variants are completed.

Australia strengthens Pacific security through preventive diplomacy—blocking Chinese influence while using targeted financial agreements to avoid costlier future defence measures. The agreement complements broader Pacific regional efforts and the author argues is good value.

Papua New Guinea's NRL team strengthens PNG-Australia ties amidst rising Indo-Pacific competition, blocking Chinese security influence. However, managing geopolitical, criminal, and security risks is vital for long-term success and stability.

Understanding and applying history is crucial for Army leaders and Soldiers. The U.S. Army Center of Military History emphasizes its role in decision-making, leadership development, and fostering esprit de corps.

China's stealth fighter and military aviation advances signal enhanced regional influence efforts and long-range operational capabilities with Taiwan as a focus. The J-35A is China’s second operational stealth fighter. Long-term capability growth could affect Australian interests.

Australia must focus on scaling affordable, innovative defence production to meet modern warfare's demands, prioritising agile manufacturing processes, autonomy, and rapid scalability over legacy approaches delivering expensive, bespoke systems.

The US Air Force’s sixth-generation fighter program, Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) decision should balance costs (three times higher than F-35 estimates) and evolving technology. Collaborative combat aircraft, drones and hypersonic missile priorities being considered.

Australia’s defence planning offers a valuable model for NZ’s defence plan modernisation. Warning time assessments should include economic and trade risks, noting geography affects South Pacific security. Would a joint New Zealand-Australia amphibious force increase capability?

The Su-35 offers superior speed, range, payload and has advanced air-to-ground strike capabilities. The F-16’s radar may detect Su-35’s faster and its bubble canopy improves pilot visibility but, Ukrainian pilots face challenges adapting to the technology.