WA DEFENCE REVIEW is proud to announce the release of the seventh edition of our Annual Publication, a cornerstone of independent defence, industry and national security commentary in Australia. Continuing our tradition of providing exclusive, expert-driven insight, this year’s edition once again brings a distinctly Western Australian perspective to issues of regional, national and global importance.
This year, our readership has surged beyond 20,000, reaching key stakeholders across government, industry, academia, diplomacy and the armed forces. This firmly establishes WA DEFENCE REVIEW as a key voice in providing unique, in-depth, trusted analysis of today’s defence and security issues. With a readership spanning Australia, New Zealand and the wider Indo-Pacific, our Annual Publication remains an indispensable resource for decision makers and professionals across the defence and national security ecosystem.
Headlining this 2025 edition are Defence policy updates directly from Australia’s foremost decision makers. Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Hon Richard Marles, discusses the government’s AUKUS submarine enterprise and recent developments planned for WA’s defence precinct at Henderson. The Minister for Defence Industry, Hon Pat Conroy, highlights the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to investment priorities for a sovereign defence industrial capacity, and particularly their impact on Western Australia.
The Minister for Defence Personnel and Veterans’ Affairs, Hon Matt Keogh, provides insights on workforce initiatives to improve retention and recruitment within the Australian Defence Force, as well as continued reforms to support Australia’s veteran community.
Closer to home, this year’s WA DEFENCE REVIEW features an exclusive interview with the WA Minister for Defence Industries, Hon Paul Papalia CSC MLA, who discusses recent developments shaping Western Australia’s defence landscape and explores their implications for the future of AUKUS.
This year, our expanded ‘International Relations & Diplomacy’ section features more exclusive commentary from leading diplomats than in any of our previous editions. This issue includes insights from His Excellency Kazuhiro Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to Australia; Jimin Kim, Chargé d’affaires, Embassy of South Korea; Her Excellency Dr Julie Sunday, High Commissioner of Canada; and Dame Sarah MacIntosh, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom. From across the Tasman, Hon Judith Collins KC, New Zealand’s Minister for Defence, provides an update on her government’s evolving defence priorities and the ongoing partnership with Australian forces.
This global perspective is complemented by incisive analysis from Dr James Bosbotinis, who examines the rise of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and from Dr Lindsay Hughes, who explores the expanding influence of BRICS and its challenge to the established world order. Emeritus Professor Amin Saikal also provides a deft assessment of the evolution of the post-World War II global order and its likely future trajectory.
Focusing on our region, in our ‘Indian Ocean Security’ column, we’ve secured articles from the Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs, Hon Tim Watts, and from Curtin University’s Professor David Mickler. The former provides insights into Australian Government policy towards this zone, while the latter offers a refreshing focus on western Indian Ocean policy alternatives that benefit Australia. To accompany this, we’ve also commissioned a detailed a map of Australia’s Indian Ocean coastline and maritime boundaries, which are unfamiliar to many.
In our ‘Aviation & Space Affairs’ column, contributors Emma Kelly and Stephen Bunce highlight the longstanding Australia–Singapore military partnership, underscoring Western Australia’s pivotal role in regional air power collaboration. We’ve also assigned prominent coverage to Curtin University and University of Western Australia’s cutting-edge research projects, the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) and TeraNet, which are revolutionising space communication.
Meanwhile, in the ‘Critical Resources and Minerals’ section, our Resources Sector Correspondent Ross Louthean makes a compelling case for the establishment of a rare earth ambassador to strengthen Australia’s strategic resources position. We’ve also secured commentary from senior WA resources sector professionals, AusIMM Perth Branch Chair, Professor Tony Tang and WA School of Mines Alumni President, Kyle De Souza.
Our look at ‘Critical Infrastructure’ features an assessment by Dr Christian Bueger of the escalating threat to subsea cable infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific region and our Senior Correspondent Deborah Evans investigates the encroaching danger drones pose to critical infrastructure globally.
Senior energy industry advocate Dario Bongiovanni argues the case for a comprehensive liquid fuels energy security strategy in our ‘Energy Resilience’ section, and our correspondent Emma Kelly surveys the state of the sustainable aviation fuels industry in Australia.
Beyond these highlights, the 2025 WA DEFENCE REVIEW continues to feature familiar favourites, such as its unique infographics and incisive cartoons, as well as the full breadth of established columns, including Academia & Universities, Cyber & Information Security, Defence & Indigenous, Eastern Australia Security, Energy Resilience, International Trade & Export, Land Systems & Capability, Logistics & Supply Chain, Naval & Maritime Affairs, Northern Australia Security, Oceania Security, Policy & Advocacy, Veterans’ Affairs and West Coast Defence. These offer cutting-edge insights into the issues shaping Australia’s defence and strategic future.
Elated and exhausted after putting the final touches to this year’s publication, WA DEFENCE REVIEW Founder, CEO and Principal Editor Serge DeSilva-Ranasinghe remarked:
“Each year, WA DEFENCE REVIEW grows in depth, influence and reach. This seventh edition continues our mission to provide an independent, authentic Western Australian voice to national defence and security affairs. As always, we want to inform, challenge and connect. We engaged a new design team this year and I’m particularly proud of our updated design features.
“WA DEFENCE REVIEW would not exist without our readers, contributors and partners and we’re deeply grateful for their continued support as we strive to deliver high-quality, original content that matters to Australia’s defence community.
“On behalf of the entire WA DEFENCE REVIEW team, we hope that you will thoroughly enjoy this year’s edition.”