Defence Strategic Review: Army chief calls for calm as ranks step to modern warfare footing

Australia’s Chief of Army has called for calm in a video to troops amid the biggest overhaul in defence spending since WWII. See the video.

The chief of Army has called on troops to hold the line at the critical “inflection point” in their history in the wake of the biggest shake-up to the forces’ future operations since the Second World War.

Under the Defence Strategic Review (DSR) blueprint for the future of the Australian Defence Force, the Army has lost three armoured battalions and a regiment of firepower with a cancelled order of howitzers.

The ditching of the new acquisitions, that had already been in trial for years, would go toward other fire power including long-range land-based missiles such as from HIMAR trucks and an expansion of Army’s amphibious capabilities.

Chief of Army Lt General Simon Stuart posted a video to troops to assure them to maintain trust in their service with the “transformation” required to make them future ready.

In essence, the traditional role of Army is being reshaped in the form of something akin to the US Marines with broader maritime remit but the extent of change is only to be revealed at the end of August.

Chief of Army Lt General Simon Stuart posted a video to troops to assure them to maintain trust in their service with the “transformation” required to make them future ready.

He said rapidly changing circumstances around the world could potentially have impacts “on our way of life, our quality of life and those of our allies and our partners” and while changes would be challenging, they were necessary.

Landing Craft (LCM8) from Army's 35th Water Transport Squadron, a Vietnam War era vessel which are top be updated with new acquisitions. Picture: Defence

“As the DSR makes clear, we need to adapt quickly to the rapidly changing character of war,” he said in his seven-and-a-half minute address.

“The challenge for us today is to ensure that we’re adapting fast enough to be equal to the challenges of tomorrow … There are changes in what our government expects of its Army and what the integrated force and our allies and partners need of us.

“There will be a significantly smaller but no less capable, combined arms fighting systems will accelerate delivery of our long-range fires and littoral manoeuvre capabilities. Our formations will become more specialised, and we will increase the use of robotics and autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and quantum technology.”

At the request of the Ukraine Government, the ADF has been gifting its largely obsolete M113AS4 Armoured Personnel Carriers.

He said there would also be changes to scale and scope of operations, training, structure and resources to extent of which would be reported on further in August.

“I couldn’t be more proud of you and I couldn’t be more proud of our army. I’m relying on you to continue to earn and maintain trust in our Army, in our community and the government we serve are relying on you to continue to build readiness, so that we are ready now for the future.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy along with the Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell releasing the unclassified version of the Defence Strategic Review. Picture: Defence

Defence Minister Richard Marles said Defence was seeking to reshape the Army to have greater fire power.

“What we announced yesterday involved not just providing the Army with longer range strike capability missiles but also a greater capability to operate in a littoral environment – that is around coasts – which means we are trying to reimagine an Army which is more mobile and can project,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DSR also recommended a mini review into the Navy with its role in the defence of the nation to significantly increase with the greater likelihood of a maritime conflict.

Australian Army soldiers in an Australian LARC-V amphibious vehicle pass a French naval vessel during Operation Pacific Assist 2015 mission.

Former US Navy Vice Admiral William H. Hilarides will lead a “short sharp” review of Australia’s future Navy needs with a likely push for smaller, more heavily armed warships like corvettes in place of some frigates.

The government announced Hilarides will join Australia’s former Finance Secretary Rosemary Huxtable, and former Australian fleet commander, retired Vice-Admiral Stuart Mayer in reviewing maritime defences.

Originally published as Defence Strategic Review: Army chief calls for calm as ranks step to modern warfare footing