Security lessons from Russian invasion

There are critical lessons for Australia from both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that are directly and immediately applicable to our national security.

Nova Systems delivers a truly sovereign T&E defence capability critical to deliver safe, fit-for-purpose equipment for our armed forces.

There are critical lessons for Australia from both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict that are directly and immediately applicable to our national security.

Since the Russian invasion, much has been written and said about the strong Ukraine counter offensive and the country’s steadfast determination to fight back against the Russian attack.

It is clear Russia’s underperforming military capability is not able to deliver the outcomes expected by its Generals, contributing to their stalled campaign.

Russia invaded Ukraine but failed to realise their defence capability was outdated and not able to perform at the level they believed.

Such is the desperation of Russian forces to gain ground, it is being reported the Kremlin is dusting off the cobwebs from old tanks to continue their campaign.

Jim McDowell, chief executive of Nova Systems

However, there is one integral yet sometimes forgotten defence capability that could have provided Russia insight into the true capability of their equipment before the invasion.

It is the capability of Test and Evaluation (T&E), Certification and Systems Assurance.

T&E delivers mission certainty and, importantly, identifies risk. It is the rigorous process undertaken to ensure any platforms, systems or systems of systems – whether it be a submarine, a tank, a frigate or combined arms effect – are safe, reliable, and fit for purpose. It stems down to every piece of equipment that our defence force personnel will encounter – and how they interact together to deliver the desired mission outcome.

So crucial, the federal government recognised T&E as one of its 10 Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities (SICPs).

The Ukraine-Russia conflict is just one example of the world’s current heightened geopolitical tensions not witnessed since World War II.

While Australia will always be part of strong regional and partner defence alliances, as a sovereign nation we are missing the opportunity to build and sustain our own critical defence capability, capability that is in Australian hands.

A recent ASPI report “Marles’s Defence Strategic Review – an exploding suitcase of challenges to resolve by March 2023” by ASPI’s former Defence, Strategy and National Security program director Michael Shoebridge confirms these sentiments.

In making recommendations to the Defence Strategic Review, Shoebridge highlights a need for focus on self-reliance.

“The Defence Strategic Review must set out the (recommendations) for the government to make that will put real substance on the notion of ‘self-reliance within an alliance construct’,” he writes.

“Ukraine teaches us a key lesson here: partners help those who have a capacity to help themselves. If Ukraine’s military had been unable to put up a credible defence in the early days of the war and show that it could sustain that defence, support from the EU, the US and NATO wouldn’t have occurred.”

It is vital the Commonwealth focus on Australia’s national interests. We must prioritise areas of defence capability that can be retained and nurtured within our borders to support our self-reliance.

We know components of Australia’s future force will always be built overseas, but we need Australian owned defence companies developing and scaling priority technologies and capabilities. As we’re seeing in Ukraine, if you can’t provide security in your own country to keep the threat at bay, you have a problem.

If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that reach-back to our allied partners is not foolproof.

The Commonwealth must look at their critical SICPs and decipher what capabilities remain that offer the opportunity to create a truly sovereign Australian position, such as Test and Evaluation.

True sovereign capability not only supports our Defence Force personnel, profits made stay in-country and are reinvested in future capability and R&D, contributing to our national economy and jobs for Australians now and for future generations.

It means we can be self reliant and adapt if we are cut-off.

It is crucial Defence adopts a “smart buyer” approach in order to identify and manage risks before they occur. As a nation, as taxpayers, and for our national security and safety, we shouldn’t settle for anything less than the most sovereign position we can achieve.

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Jim McDowell is Nova Systems chief executive.