Grey-zone warfare front of mind at Talisman Sabre 2021 as troops flex cyber, information threat response
As soldiers tested their skills and combat readiness during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021, they were also training for another looming and more insidious threat: the risk of cyber and information warfare.
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AS SOLDIERS tested their skills and combat readiness during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2021, they were also training for another looming and more insidious threat.
Troops from the United States, Japanese militaries joined Australia and other allies in the international “show of might” which transformed parts of Queensland into a mock war zone as part of Australia’s largest bilateral defence exercise with the US.
Australian Defence Force TS21 director Air Commodore Stuart Bellingham said the exercise, which drew to a close on Sunday, also prepared the nation for the changing face of war and focused on the threat of cyber and information attacks.
“We are preparing for war, that is what we do,” he said.
”The traditional domains of air, land and sea are now coupled with cyber and information warfare and that is how we train.
“Cyber is a key domain that we have now in warfighting, as is information warfare.”
Around 17,000 military personnel from seven nations participated in TS21 which welcomed the Republic of Korea as a participating nation for the first time.
Air Commodore Stuart Bellingham said a Chinese spy ship that sat off the coast of Queensland to observe the exercise added a “level of realism” to the training exercise. .
United States Acting Charge D’Affairs Doug Sonnek spoke at a TS21 closing ceremony hosted at Kissing Point on Sunday where he praised participating troops and highlighted the importance of fostering allegiances.
Speaking at the closing ceremony Herbert MP Phillip Thompson said the complex training exercise strengthened Australia’s relationships in the Indo-Pacific and described the region as “challenging”.
He noted the increased threat of grey-zone warfare and noted the shift in conflict strategy over the past 10 years.
“We need to be ready. It is very important we have a robust defence,” he said.
“(Talisman Sabre) is a show of force against hostile threats anywhere in the world.
“They need to know that we work closely together with our allies. We do show any hostiles, any friends … or anyone that wants to do us harm that we are here and committed to train together and, if in case, we are willing and ready to fight together.”
Air Commodore Bellingham said the strength of Australia’s multinational partnerships was tested during TS21.
“Our strength is as a group,” he said.
“We are preparing together because our Defence Force is all about being prepared for any contingency.
“There is strength in that multilateral partnership. We tested it, we tried it, we didn't break it.”
Originally published as Grey-zone warfare front of mind at Talisman Sabre 2021 as troops flex cyber, information threat response
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