Image courtesy of the Australian Department of Defence
Australian Defence Force cyber specialists have joined counterparts from the United States and New Zealand to test new defensive cyber systems designed to counter threats across any network.
Held in Philadelphia and hosted by the US Naval Information Warfare Centre (NIWC), the activity brought together around 60 personnel to evaluate three prototype Joint Cyber Hunt Kits. Designed for portability, each kit can be deployed worldwide by a nine-person team and connected to any network for real-time cyber defence.
The collaboration, conducted under the AUKUS agreement, saw a dozen cyber warfare specialists lead the trials. Five ADF members and one NZDF member took part to assess how the capability could be integrated into their own forces.
ADF team lead, Major Craig Skinner of the Space and Cyber Capabilities Division, said the program will enhance cyber defence.
“Participating in the testing of the Joint Cyber Hunt Kit shows Defence is keeping technological pace with our Five Eyes partners. These systems represent a significant uplift in capability, focused on defeating adversaries in cyberspace in real time,” Major Skinner said.
The US is expected to acquire the first systems by the end of the year. Cyber remains a priority capability in Australia’s National Defence Strategy and a focus area of AUKUS Pillar II.
Republished by The Sub Monitor as Indo Pacific 2025 event’s official media partner.
