Drone incursions at Australian military bases

The Australian Defence Force has faced increasing security challenges regarding unauthorized drone activity near critical military installations. In mid-July, multiple drone sightings were reported over or near RAAF Base Williamtown, a facility housing F-35A Lightning II and E-7A Wedgetail aircraft. While the origin of these drones remained unknown, the incidents prompted the involvement of the NSW Police Counter-UAS Unit.

Subsequent reports indicate a significant surge in such incursions. Department of Defence data shows that unauthorized unmanned aircraft systems increased from 21 incidents in the 2022/23 financial year to 147 in the 2024-25 period. Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres characterized the activity as “unacceptable,” “unsafe,” and “illegal.”

Political scrutiny has intensified as opposition leaders, including Shadow Minister Phillip Thompson, have called for urgent investigations. Thompson suggested that the scale of the activity, including reports of drone swarms, may indicate a “coordinated threat” rather than accidental incursions, posing risks to sensitive equipment and personnel security.