The Royal Australian Navy will become heavily oriented toward underwater combat under a new policy that proposes doubling the fleet’s submarine arm. A historic realignment and expansion of naval force is outlined in the country’s latest defense white paper (Aerospace DAILY, May 4), which also endorses a purchase of about 100 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightnings, giving the Royal Australian Air Force close to one-for-one replacement of its current combat jet arsenal. The program will begin with an order for at least 72.

China’s new national helicopter champion, Avicopter, will take an increasingly demanding approach to international cooperative projects as it seeks to build an independent brand rivaling the likes of Eurocopter and Sikorsky. Future joint helicopters will have to fit into Avicopter’s own emerging product lineup, says President Wang Bin. And his company’s own technological development path will dominate its approach to business, with foreign cooperation playing only a supporting role.

BEIJING—China’s newly formed military aircraft and missile company, Avic Defense, is emphasizing maintenance as part of a business model that it has expanded far beyond just making original equipment. General Manager Wang Yawei says the company will forge a complete value chain covering the whole life cycle of its products, from weapons system predevelopment to maintenance and support guarantees for equipment that it has sold.