Latest news with #AustralianArmy
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Giant US-UK armada takes to water in ‘Talisman Sabre' show of force with aircraft carriers shrouded by fighter jet fleet
AN IMPOSING US-UK armada has taken to the water as part of the allied Exercise Talisman Sabre war drills. The impervious aircraft carriers and fighter jet fleets are taking part in live-fire exercises in Australia which include 35,000 military personnel from 19 different nations. Advertisement 9 An imposing US-UK armada has taken to the water as part of the allied Exercise Talisman Sabre war drills Credit: SWNS 9 Aircraft carriers USS George Washington (top) and HMS Prince of Wales (bottom) sail in formation with US and UK warships Credit: SWNS 9 35,000 military personnel from 19 different nations took part in the Australian drills Credit: SWNS Australia marked the historic event, the largest war drills in their history , by firing missiles from its M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The HIMARS launchers were recently bought from the US and were unleashed today at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland. Elsewhere, a striking display of allied naval might saw the UK and US deploy their USS George Washington and the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carriers. The UK - who sent over 3,000 troops - also used vessels such as HMS Richmond, HMS Dauntless, RFA Fort Victoria, and RFA Argus for the exercise. Advertisement read more in war drills The expansive multinational flotilla was shadowed by warships from Canada, Norway, and Australia as well. The huge fleet were paired up with air operations and joint ground manoeuvres which took place across Australia's Northern Territory and Queensland. Brigadier Nick Wilson told reporters after the drills: "Today was the first time the Australian Army has live-fired our long-range, multi-domain platforms being the HIMARS, so it is a remarkable day." British Defence Secretary John Healey added: "The historic bonds between Britain and Australia run deep, and through AUKUS and exercises like Talisman Sabre we are strengthening these ties for the challenges of tomorrow. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun "Our commitment to the Indo-Pacific is unwavering, as this huge military exercise demonstrates. "We will continue to work alongside our closest allies to maintain the security and stability that underpins global prosperity." Britain pledges more support to Ukraine as NATO warships prepare for largest drills since Cold War Talisman Sabre has been a This year saw dozens of other countries take part such as Canada , Fiji, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands and South Korea among others. Advertisement The drills stretched all the way from Darwin to Brisbane as the allies imposed themselves across the Indo-Pacific. The waters are often closely monitored by Chinese surveillance ships. dating back to 2017. Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said he expects China to monitor them again this time around. Advertisement Conroy said: "We'll adjust accordingly. We'll obviously observe their activities and monitor their presence around Australia. "But we'll also adjust how we conduct those exercises." 9 U.S. Navy aircraft and the George Washington Carrier participate in the dual carrier operations Credit: SWNS 9 A US F18 launches from US Aircraft Carrier, USS George Washington Credit: SWNS Advertisement 9 An Australian soldier from the 1st Military Police Battalion is seen participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 Credit: Getty It all comes as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began a six-day visit to China of his own. He is expected to hold a fourth face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. Albanese said despite Chinese surveillance being a concern, he would not raise it as an issue amid the Talisman Sabre operations. Advertisement China has been routinely trying to scare the West through their own military drills in recent weeks. Earlier this month, dramatic footage captured a fleet of Chinese tank boats And China's new giant These developments have raised fears that a Chinese invasion on Taiwan could be imminent. Advertisement Bringing the self-governed province back in line with mainland China has been a goal of president The self-governing nation has been protected by the firepower of ally America for decades. The latest Talisman Sabre drills will give Taiwan further hope of protection from not only the US but also the entire allied fleet. The exercises are also aimed towards striking fear into other Western allies such as North Korea and Russia. Advertisement Russia 's relationship with Europe has drastically worsened as Vladimir Putin continues to defy all warnings and continue with his deadly invasion of Ukraine. But even Vlad, with all his firepower and huge army, faces a serious battle against a unified West due to his lack of aircraft carriers. Russia only boasts a Ukraine and has instead been languishing in the grim Arctic port of Murmansk, in northwestern Russia. Advertisement 9 A terrifying fleet of Chinese tank boats seen charging through the sea near to Taiwan earlier this month Credit: X 9 Vladimir Putin's only rustbucket aircraft carrier is poised to be scrapped after seven years of failed repairs - leaving the despot vulnerable Credit: EPA 9
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Giant US-UK armada takes to water in ‘Talisman Sabre' show of force with aircraft carriers shrouded by fighter jet fleet
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN IMPOSING US-UK armada has taken to the water as part of the allied Exercise Talisman Sabre war drills. The impervious aircraft carriers and fighter jet fleets are taking part in live-fire exercises in Australia which include 35,000 military personnel from 19 different nations. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 9 An imposing US-UK armada has taken to the water as part of the allied Exercise Talisman Sabre war drills Credit: SWNS 9 Aircraft carriers USS George Washington (top) and HMS Prince of Wales (bottom) sail in formation with US and UK warships Credit: SWNS 9 35,000 military personnel from 19 different nations took part in the Australian drills Credit: SWNS Australia marked the historic event, the largest war drills in their history, by firing missiles from its M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS). The HIMARS launchers were recently bought from the US and were unleashed today at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland. Elsewhere, a striking display of allied naval might saw the UK and US deploy their USS George Washington and the HMS Prince of Wales aircraft carriers. The UK - who sent over 3,000 troops - also used vessels such as HMS Richmond, HMS Dauntless, RFA Fort Victoria, and RFA Argus for the exercise. read more in war drills SEA OF STEEL Watch as huge fleet of terrifying new Chinese 'tank boats' takes to water The expansive multinational flotilla was shadowed by warships from Canada, Norway, and Australia as well. The huge fleet were paired up with air operations and joint ground manoeuvres which took place across Australia's Northern Territory and Queensland. Brigadier Nick Wilson told reporters after the drills: "Today was the first time the Australian Army has live-fired our long-range, multi-domain platforms being the HIMARS, so it is a remarkable day." British Defence Secretary John Healey added: "The historic bonds between Britain and Australia run deep, and through AUKUS and exercises like Talisman Sabre we are strengthening these ties for the challenges of tomorrow. "Our commitment to the Indo-Pacific is unwavering, as this huge military exercise demonstrates. "We will continue to work alongside our closest allies to maintain the security and stability that underpins global prosperity." Britain pledges more support to Ukraine as NATO warships prepare for largest drills since Cold War Talisman Sabre has been a major biennial joint exercise ever since it was first announced in 2005 between the US and Australia. This year saw dozens of other countries take part such as Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, India, Japan, the Netherlands and South Korea among others. The drills stretched all the way from Darwin to Brisbane as the allies imposed themselves across the Indo-Pacific. The waters are often closely monitored by Chinese surveillance ships. Beijing has kept a watchful eye over any naval exercises off the Australian coast during the last four Talisman Sabre exercises dating back to 2017. Defense Industry Minister Pat Conroy said he expects China to monitor them again this time around. Conroy said: "We'll adjust accordingly. We'll obviously observe their activities and monitor their presence around Australia. "But we'll also adjust how we conduct those exercises." 9 U.S. Navy aircraft and the George Washington Carrier participate in the dual carrier operations Credit: SWNS 9 A US F18 launches from US Aircraft Carrier, USS George Washington Credit: SWNS 9 An Australian soldier from the 1st Military Police Battalion is seen participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 Credit: Getty It all comes as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese began a six-day visit to China of his own. He is expected to hold a fourth face-to-face meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday. Albanese said despite Chinese surveillance being a concern, he would not raise it as an issue amid the Talisman Sabre operations. China has been routinely trying to scare the West through their own military drills in recent weeks. Earlier this month, dramatic footage captured a fleet of Chinese tank boats charging through the sea in tight formation near Taiwan. And China's new giant "sea monster" warplane was spotted for the first time in the Bohai Sea. These developments have raised fears that a Chinese invasion on Taiwan could be imminent. Bringing the self-governed province back in line with mainland China has been a goal of president Xi Jinping's for a long time and recent military activity has shown that China is ready to take it back by force. The self-governing nation has been protected by the firepower of ally America for decades. The latest Talisman Sabre drills will give Taiwan further hope of protection from not only the US but also the entire allied fleet. The exercises are also aimed towards striking fear into other Western allies such as North Korea and Russia. Russia's relationship with Europe has drastically worsened as Vladimir Putin continues to defy all warnings and continue with his deadly invasion of Ukraine. But even Vlad, with all his firepower and huge army, faces a serious battle against a unified West due to his lack of aircraft carriers. Russia only boasts a single rustbucket carrier - but even that is poised to be scrapped after seven years of failed repairs. Putin's 'Ship of Shame' has played no role in the war against Ukraine and has instead been languishing in the grim Arctic port of Murmansk, in northwestern Russia. 9 A terrifying fleet of Chinese tank boats seen charging through the sea near to Taiwan earlier this month Credit: X 9 Vladimir Putin's only rustbucket aircraft carrier is poised to be scrapped after seven years of failed repairs - leaving the despot vulnerable Credit: EPA
Daily Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Telegraph
Australia provides 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks to Ukraine to bolster fight against Russia's invasion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australia is providing 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks – valued at $245m – to Ukraine to help bolster its war against Russia's illegal invasion. The first tranche of the retired tanks are now in the possession of the Armed Forces of Ukraine after they were shipped from the Port of Geelong. Australia first purchased the fleet of 59 Abrams tanks – which were never deployed into a combat zone – in 2007. The Australian Army has since replaced the fleet with newer M1A2 tanks. An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams main battle tank is lifted onto a ship in Australia, bound for Ukraine. Picture: Supplied Last year, Ukraine expressed interest in taking the M1A1 fleet after Australia refused to donate its retired fleet of Taipan helicopters – which have since been dismantled and buried – due to concerns they would be too complicated to maintain and operate. The current $245m support package involving the M1A1 Abrams fleet is part of the $1.5bn in assistance Australia has provided to the war-torn nation since the start of Russia's conflict in 2022. 'The M1A1 Abrams tanks will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion,' Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles, who met the army personnel who helped deliver the tanks, said. 'Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace.' The first tranche of M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks gifted to Ukraine are prepared for servicing at a port in Europe. Picture: Supplied Part of a support package worth $245m, the tanks have been retired by the Australian Army but were gifted to Ukraine as part of its fight against Russia. Picture: Supplied Ukraine has now taken possession of the majority of these tanks, with delivery of the final tranche to occur in the coming months. Australia is also due to deploy a Royal Australian Air Force E-7A Wedgetail to Europe to help protect a vital international gateway for assistance to Ukraine. Since 2003, the Australian Defence Force has helped train hundreds of Ukrainian troops as part of the UK-led and based multinational training mission Operation Kudu, which continues today. Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasyl Myroshnychenko thanks Australian Army soldiers for their efforts in loading M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks onto a ship. Picture: Supplied 'Australia stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine,' Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy said. 'These modified M1A1 Abrams tanks will deliver more firepower and more mobility to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. 'They meet a direct request from the Ukrainian government and form part of Australia's unwavering commitment to protect the global rules-based order.' The major update follows Russia handing over the bodies of 1000 slain soldiers to Ukraine, as further peace talks between both countries appeared to break down. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Picture: AFP Russian President Vladimir Putin. Picture: AFP Ukraine also agreed to return the bodies of 19 soldiers to Russia as part of the agreement. Earlier in the week, a 'very unhappy' US President Donald Trump set a 50-day deadline for Russia to reach a ceasefire deal with Ukraine, or risk tariffs that could cripple the eastern superpower. Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far rejected calls for a ceasefire. 'The US president's statements are very serious. Some of them are addressed personally to President Putin,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said earlier in the week. Originally published as First tranche of Aussie M1A1 Abrams tanks delivered to Ukraine to bolster fight against Russia
Sydney Morning Herald
5 days ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australian tanks arrive in Ukraine after nine-month wait
Around 40 Australian army tanks have arrived in Ukraine to help defend the country against Vladimir Putin's invading Russian forces, ending a frustrating nine-month wait for the shipment to arrive. The Albanese government announced it would provide Ukraine with 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks last October, but their delivery was held up by bureaucratic delays in the United States Congress, which needed to approve the transfer. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the tanks 'will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion'. 'I was pleased to meet the Australian Army personnel who helped facilitate the delivery of these tanks from Australia to Ukraine,' Marles said. 'Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace.' Loading The majority of the tanks have now been delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces, with a final tranche to arrive in coming months. The government declined to provide the exact number of tanks that have been provided so far, but sources not authorised to speak publicly said it was around 40. The tank support package is valued at $245 million, bringing the value of Australia's total contribution to Ukraine since the war began to $1.5 billion.
The Age
5 days ago
- Business
- The Age
Australian tanks arrive in Ukraine after nine-month wait
Around 40 Australian army tanks have arrived in Ukraine to help defend the country against Vladimir Putin's invading Russian forces, ending a frustrating nine-month wait for the shipment to arrive. The Albanese government announced it would provide Ukraine with 49 M1A1 Abrams tanks last October, but their delivery was held up by bureaucratic delays in the United States Congress, which needed to approve the transfer. Defence Minister Richard Marles said the tanks 'will make a significant contribution to Ukraine's ongoing fight against Russia's illegal and immoral invasion'. 'I was pleased to meet the Australian Army personnel who helped facilitate the delivery of these tanks from Australia to Ukraine,' Marles said. 'Australia remains steadfast in our support for Ukraine and seeing a just and lasting peace.' Loading The majority of the tanks have now been delivered to the Ukrainian armed forces, with a final tranche to arrive in coming months. The government declined to provide the exact number of tanks that have been provided so far, but sources not authorised to speak publicly said it was around 40. The tank support package is valued at $245 million, bringing the value of Australia's total contribution to Ukraine since the war began to $1.5 billion.
