Admiral David Johnston

Thank you to my 🇹🇴 counterpart, Brigadier Lord Fielakepa for joining me to talk to the ABC about #JHoPS26 this week. 🇹🇴 is a valued partner & friend: we both know that we achieve more together than alone, and we do that by exercising, working & training together in the Pacific.

A productive week at #JHoPS26, our annual meeting of security leaders from 🇦🇺 & the Pacific. We have recommended that Pacific Island Forum leaders agree to commence negotiations on a Regional Operations Deployment Framework Treaty. Read more 🔗👇 abc.net.au/news/2026-05-0…

A special trip to Gallipoli in Turkiye for #anzacday, the first in my nearly 50-year career. A truly humbling experience to honour the Anzacs at the place that forged many of the attributes that are the foundation of Australia's identity.  Lest we forget 🌹

My #anzacday reflection in today’s @australian 🔗👇 theaustralian.com.au/nation/family-…

My #anzacday message Lest we forget 🌹

Anzac Day is a time for all of us to come together and reflect on the memory and sacrifice of those who have served our nation. In that spirit, I look forward to representing Australia in Turkiye this Saturday.

A profound privilege to lay a cross for the Unknown Soldier at the Australian War Widows’ Field of Remembrance Dedication and Anzac Commemorative Service 🌹

Australia’s first National Defence Strategy in action 🎬 #youradf is a larger, more lethal and more prepared ADF that is in a better place to defend Australia and its interests. Watch @RichardMarlesMP Press Club address tomorrow where he will launch the 2026 NDS.

You each bring incredible expertise, experience and insight, and I am proud to have worked alongside you during my career. I will retire from the ADF at the end of my tenure as CDF in July of this year.

My heartfelt congratulations to the #YourADF that were recommended for command appointments this morning: ✅ VADM Mark Hammond AO RAN as Chief of the Defence Force ✅ RADM Matt Buckley AM CSC RAN as Chief of Navy ✅ LTGENl Susan Coyle AM CSC DSM as Chief of Army.

Seeing these ships together at sea is a striking reminder of the power of partnerships, a power that these ships put into practice at Exercise Kakadu. There they exercise, train & work together to become stronger, more prepared & more interoperable.

A great Navy day on Saturday attending the Exercise Kakadu Fleet Review in Sydney, a long-standing naval tradition of reviewing an assembled fleet. Thirty-one ships, 19 nations, the largest gathering of foreign warships in Sydney Harbour in more than a decade.

Our people are proud to be the largest non-NATO contributor of military assistance to Ukraine. The Coalition of the Willing and #yourADF ongoing contribution to train Ukrainian military personnel will continue to provide avenues for us to support Ukraine & our NATO partners.

Four years today since the start of Russia’s illegal & immoral invasion of Ukraine. My thoughts are with the Ukrainian people who continue to suffer profound loss and hardship. #yourADF continues to stand with Ukraine & our NATO partners in support of Ukraine’s self-defence.

A warm welcome to @ComdtADFA 374 first-year Trainee Officers who marched in our annual CDF Parade yesterday ⚔️ #yourADF has a long & proud history &I have faith in them as future leaders & stewards of the ADF to continue to build the legacy of this proud, historic institution.

A spectacular performance by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on Sunday. More than 240 of #yourADF took part in this year’s Tattoo. I watched them represent the highest standards of military history & tradition with precision & pride. I could not be more proud 🤗

Darwin has & always will be a place of vital importance to Australia. We will always remember & recognise those who lost their lives & those who sacrificed themselves to defend their country. Lest we forget 🌹 📷 Library & Archives NT

Taking a moment today to commemorate the Bombing of Darwin. Eighty-four years ago today, 2 Japanese air raids on Darwin killed over 230 people & wounded a further 300 to 400, as well as destroying or damaging vast amounts of critical local infrastructure & military assets.

A Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial for the opening of Parliament. An occasion to stand with Parliamentarians to remember and honour those who serve, who have served, and who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Lest we forget 🌹