Army’s continual adaptation mindset
Chief of Army on restructuring the force in response to requirements of the Defence Strategic Review
Land Forces
Ukraine underlines enduring nature of warfare
War, some argue, is in a new era. But to students of history, the wars of today are curiously familiar.
World-class military exposition is back – bigger and better than ever
The Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition is a platform for engagement between government, defence and the industry that provides and sustains Australia’s military capability.
Not an experiment, but mission capability
A small Melbourne company predicted the Defence ban on the Chinese-made DJI drone family and funded its own R&D program to build the high-security quad-copter instead.
Lessons for us from the Ukraine conflict
Like any major conflict, Ukraine has become a proving ground for new military technologies that require military forces to adapt to a changing character of war.
Anduril’s counter-drone system to be showcased in Australia
The stark economics of destroying incoming drones – or attack helicopters or aircraft – have changed warfare beyond recognition in just a couple of years.
‘Give us the tools, and we will finish the job’
Kyiv’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, which began on August 6, was both politically and militarily audacious.
Long-term recruitment a problem for the army
Since 2012 the ADF has consistently failed to meet yearly recruiting targets, and the army, in particular, is struggling. Total numbers are 59,194 – and we need to reach 80,000 by 2040.
Lack of integrated air and missile defence leaves our bases exposed
The 2023 DSR stated that ‘Defence must deliver a layered integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) operational capability urgently…’, but there appears to be no significant effort towards addressing that.
AUKUS nuclear submarines will also be a game-changer for the army
The Australian Army will need to be able to conduct special operations with submarine support in our region – as we did in the Pacific War.
NT joint exercises essential for maintaining combat readiness
The MV-22B Ospreys of the current US Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D 24-3) proved their unique capabilities in two major multilateral exercises across Australia’s north in July.
Scaling up our defence industry must become an urgent priority
The 2023 Defence Strategic Review appears to have rung alarm bells loud enough to shake us all up – politicians, military leaders, civil servants, industry participants, and commentators alike.
Long-range strike missiles to be manufactured in Australia
The efforts to equip the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with long-range missiles is picking up pace.
DSTG aims to deliver ‘speed to capability’
Defence’s Science and Technology Group (DSTG), has added innovation – turning good ideas into something usable – to its traditional strong focus on science and technology.
Korean factory a welcome boost for artillery
South Korean industrial giant Hanwha is now the largest single contractor by value for the Australian Army, and on August 23 it opened a state-of-the-art factory close to Geelong.
Abrams M1A2 tank an essential element in combined arms fight
The first of 75 new Abrams main battle tanks for the army are expected to be delivered before the end of the year.
Alliances enhance domestic training
Key military alliances are providing enhanced training opportunities across the country for both the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and its regional allies and partners.
Army aviation transforms with switch to Black Hawks, Apaches
The army is well down the path of a generational change of combat helicopter capability based on the early retirement of the European Taipan and Tiger fleets.
A passionate call to arms for the defence industry
BAE Systems Australia is focused on continuing to deliver and sustain critically important technologies, including large and complex programs, some of them spanning decades.
Allied industrial base integration key to security
The AUKUS trilateral security partnership between the US, Australia and Britain represents a fundamental re-imagining of Australia’s national security framework.
Business is focused on accelerating capability
Defence can do little without industry, so how can we best help deliver capability at speed?
Future-proofing the army
QinetiQ Australia is partnered with the Australian Army and Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) to foster innovation and better prepare the service to meet future operational challenges.
Building a sovereign test and evaluation enterprise
The establishment of Defence’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise requires a rigorous test and evaluation capability to support the new weapons being acquired.
It’s time for industry to play a more active role
To triumph on the future battlefield, Australia will require technological mastery, seamlessly linking the soldier on the frontline with drones, artillery and armour, aircraft and warships.
Test-firing a crucial step on the road to a local missile industry
Australia is well and truly on a path to having a guided weapons production capability by the end of this decade.
Speed and agility are the key to successful innovation
Lockheed Martin Australia, closely partnered with Defence’s AIR6500 Project Team, plans to deliver to the ADF the first elements of the $500m Joint Air Battle Management System, or JABMS.
Advanced technology: the next revolution in military affairs?
Do we seek security from Asia or in Asia? Artificial intelligence, robotics and automation, quantum sensing and encryption, and hypersonic missiles all represent game-changing technologies.
What will Australia contribute to AUKUS Pillar 2?
The success of the AUKUS vision of a tri-nation security partnership to deliver next generation warfighting capabilities demands much of each partner nation.
Aligned in purpose: exporting for Australia’s strategic defence resilience
Australia’s strategic objectives emphasise the critical importance of a resilient sovereign defence industrial base. Achieving this requires a multifaceted approach, including the growth of our defence exports.
Need for heavier landing craft recognised
The army has a multi-phase acquisition program that will introduce a series of landing craft and amphibious vehicles aimed to operate in northern Australia and the Pacific region.
Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/special-reports/land-forces