a former officer in the Australian army with over 30 years of service <\/a>including with special forces, said the breaches were a serious reminder Australia\u2019s most valuable military kit remains \u201cvulnerable\u201d to cheap, asymmetric surveillance and attack.<\/p>\n\u201cWhether this was negligence, activism or hostile reconnaissance, the inability to identify the operators reminds us that Defence must prioritise persistent counter-UAS detection, attribution and defeat capabilities across every major base,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
He said the incident exposed a potential gap between the Department of Defence\u2019s claims of layered security at the site and the protection delivered in practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe implications extend directly to AUKUS Pillar I: HMAS Stirling, the Osborne precinct, and other associated nuclear-submarine facilities, which will become priority targets for persistent surveillance, espionage, disruption, and sabotage,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe same vulnerability applies across Australia\u2019s airfields, ports, shipyards, energy networks and communications infrastructure. Counter-UAS protection must become a nationally integrated security requirement.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the fiasco showed an urgent need for persistent detection, rapid attribution and lawful defeat capabilities across every major military establishment in Australia.<\/p>\n
\u2018Not as prepared as we should be\u2019<\/p>\n
Former diplomat turned risk adviser Neil Fergus said the breaches are a major national security concern.<\/p>\n
He said RAAF Williamtown is home to tactical fighter force components including the Hawk 127 and the PC-21. He said the base is regulated airspace, which means drones cannot fly within 5.5km of the site while drones weighing over 250kg must not fly within 7km from the approach and departure paths to the runway. <\/p>\n
\u201cI believe we are not as prepared as we should be and I believe this will be a catalyst for further investment at key national defence bases,\u201d Mr Fergus told news.com.au.<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope this will act as a catalyst for further sustained analysis on the need for future anti-drone capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to The Daily Telegraph, during the incursion, commanders at the base were told to close window blinds to protect against the unwitting release of information. Drones were allegedly spotted circling the north gate of the facility.<\/p>\n
Shadow defence minister, Senator James Paterson, said the Albanese government should be doing more to ensure our men and women in uniform have the confidence to take the appropriate actions to keep themselves, their fellow Australians, and our interests safe.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing told to \u2018close the blinds\u2019 simply doesn\u2019t cut it; the government should clarify what will be done to protect critical defence sites like RAAF Williamtown from incursions like this in future,\u201d he told news.com.au.<\/p>\n
A Department of Defence spokesperson said it was aware of the incident and employs \u201crobust, layered security measures\u201d at the site to protect people, establishments and capabilities.<\/p>\n
They said for operational security reasons, Defence does not comment on specific arrangements or measures at its establishments.<\/p>\n
In April, the government announced a $7bn investment in counter-drone defence to be spent over the next decade.<\/p>\n
The initial investments of $21.3 million in AIM Defence and $10.4 million in SYPAQ Systems has been awarded through the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator\u2019s (ASCA) Mission Syracuse.<\/p>\n
The Albanese Government has allocated up to $22 billion for drone, counter-drone and autonomous system technologies over the decade in the 2026 Integrated Investment Program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Defence experts have labelled drone breaches at one of Australia\u2019s most sensitive air bases \u201cembarrassing\u201d and said 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