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The Land Power Forum blog is published by the Australian Army Research Centre in order to generate discussion and debate about the future of Army.

It is a forum for informed analysis, commentary, thoughts and ideas. Contributions are welcomed from stakeholders, subject matter experts and those interested in future land warfare.

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Australian Army Sergeant Jasmine Johnston reads over Operation RENDER SAFE 14 safety messages with Bougainville Police Officers Simon Sireung and his wife Lynn, during a community engagement activity in the Torokina District.
We are the Training Audience
Our RegionPeople, Culture and EthicsRegional politicsTrain, Advise and Assist

In this part one of a two part LPF Post, Mark Mankowski examines the littoral manoeuvre capability with reference to the Defence Strategic Review. He considers the importance to the integrated force and provides an alternative definition, similar to the concept of ‘archipelagic manoeuvre’, which he submits better reflects the capability envisaged by the DSR.

An Australian Army rifleman from the 6th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment jumps in the a ‘bear pit’ during the obstacle course as part of the final battle run on Exercise Viper Strike at Gallipoli Barracks, Queensland.
AARC Short Thoughts Competition – Spring Series 2023
Accelerated WarfareModernisationRobotics & Autonomous SystemsSpring 2023 Short Thoughts

The Australian Army Research Centre (AARC) invites your contribution to the Spring Series of the AARC Short Thoughts Competition with the theme: ‘Army’s approach to Accelerated Preparedness’. This is your opportunity to help further Australian land power debate. Submissions will be published in the Land Power Forum (LPF) and authors of the most meritorious entries will be invited to attend an Army sponsored event and will also be awarded a book voucher.

Cover of Occasional Paper 16 with cover image as background, blurred and lighter.
Occasional Paper release - Resetting the Australian Army
StrategyEmerging Threats and OpportunitiesLand combat

In Occasional Paper 16, Resetting the Australian Army, Dr Albert Palazzo identifies the key aspects of the Defence Strategic Review and their importance to Army, highlighting that the overall message is positive for the land force. Using a number of historical reviews to illustrate how Army has responded to government directed defence policy re-assessments in the past, Palazzo points to a trajectory for contemporary capability renewal.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Officers prepare to depart Honiara on an Australian Defence Force MRH-90 Taipan helicopter bound for the outlying provinces of Gizo, Ringii and Seghe in the Solomon Islands prior to the National Government Election.
Outcomes of ‘Winter Short Thoughts Competition’
Amphibious/joint/interagencyForce DesignOur RegionTrain, Advise and Assist

In June, the AARC launched the winter series 'Short Thoughts Competition' or Army's role in train, advise and assist missions. This Post announces the winners of that competition.

Biamu, Oro Bay, New Guinea. 1942-11-11. Gunners of the 2/5th Field Regiment unloading their 25 pounder gun at Biamu Village. This gun is being unloaded from a Japanese barge which was captured during the abortive landing attempt at Milne Bay during 1942-08/07. Source: Australian War Memorial
What is Littoral Manoeuvre? – Part Two
Amphibious/joint/interagencyForce DesignOur Region

In part two of Mark Mankowski's consideration of 'What is Littoral Manoeuvre', he draws on historical examples to learn more about what the concept means in the context of direction provided by the recent Defence Strategic Review. He proposes changes to how the ADF conceives of littoral manoeuvre operations to better inform options for a possible future Army amphibious capability.

Cover of book, The Conquering Tide by Ian W. Toll, with the cover image blurred in the background
Book Review - The Conquering Tide
Our RegionPeople, Culture and EthicsRegional politicsBook review

The Defence Strategic Review will have encouraged many in the profession of arms to review conflict in the southwest Pacific. Sam Baumgarten explains why 'The Conquering Tide' offers an accessible entry to Pacific War history from a United States perspective.

A number of officers and men from Robin Force observing the test firing of one of two six inch heavy coastal artillery guns in a battery recently completed at Ouen Toro, a position overlooking Noumea. Source: Australian War Memorial (P00308.002)
Historic Lessons for Train, Advise and Assist Missions
Landpower lessonsOur RegionStrategyTrainTrain, Advise and Assist

This Land Power Forum Post examines the conduct of train, advice and assist missions through the lens of two historic examples - the 8th Military District in 1941 and Robin Force in New Caledonia. Author James Eling finds that these experiences reinforce the importance of matching assistance with the needs of the host nation.

Private Zed Barrett (left) and Private Luke Smith (centre) assist a member of the Vanuatu Mobile Force with the unloading of dignity kits for local Vanuatu communities in Port Vila during Operation Vanuatu Assist 2023.
Building Relationships in the Indo-Pacific within a Framework of Deterrence
Our RegionCivil-Military RelationsPeople, Culture and EthicsTrain, Advise and Assist

In an uncertain strategic climate, Temma Perry underscores the value of Australian international engagement through military partnerships, training programs and assistance missions.

Australian Army officer Captain Sarah Kelly, Public Affairs Officer deployed on Pacific Partnership 2022, holds a child from the local community at Macarascas Elementary School, Palawan, Philippines.
Health as a Strategy in ADF Train, Advise and Assist Missions
Civil-Military RelationsPeople, Culture and EthicsOur RegionTrain, Advise and Assist

Amanda Plant makes the case for a targeted measles vaccination program to supplement the ADF's train, advise and assist missions.

Cover of book Foch in Command, with Ferdinand Foch (part of cover image) blurred in the backgtound
Book Review - Foch in Command
Book reviewLandpower lessonsMilitary history

Chris Roberts commends Elizabeth Greenhalgh's history of Marshal Ferdinand Foch, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces on the Western Front in 1918. Likely to be the pre-eminent English language work on Foch for decades to come, Roberts assesses this volume as a fascinating insight into allied strategy during the war with contemporary lessons for coalition commanders.

Australian Army Private Hendrik Malherbe during an amphibious beach demonstration in Indonesia during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022.
What is Littoral Manoeuvre? – Part 1
Amphibious/joint/interagencyForce DesignOur Region

In this part one of a two part LPF Post, Mark Mankowski examines the littoral manoeuvre capability with reference to the Defence Strategic Review. He considers the importance to the integrated force and provides an alternative definition, similar to the concept of ‘archipelagic manoeuvre’, which he submits better reflects the capability envisaged by the DSR.

Australian Army Major Rick Hindmarsh, Officer Commanding Joint Pre-Landing Force, conducting a joint TNI Marine and ADF raid during an amphibious beach demonstration in Indonesia on Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022.
Finding Asymmetry With Army’s Train, Advise and Assist Capability
Force DesignEmerging Threats and OpportunitiesStrategyTrain, Advise and Assist

The Defence Strategic Review challenges Army to project land power into the region and to engage our neighbours. Jarrod Brook asserts the strategic relevance of train, advise and assist missions to achieve this imperative.

A hybrid image combining two photographs.  One image showing an Australian Army soldier on patrol during an Army exercise is merged with a second image showing military members of two different nationalities on parade.
An Army in Forward Motion – Presence and Deterrence
Land combatRegional politicsEmerging Threats and Opportunities

Andrew Carr explains why the new Occasional Paper,' An Army in Forward Motion - Presence and Deterrence' offers Army timely insights that can inform efforts to shape the strategic environment in line with the direction set by government and by Army itself.

The cover of Occasional Paper 15 with the main image of that cover in the background.
Forward Presence for Deterrence
Land combatRegional politicsEmerging Threats and Opportunities

While Australian policy guidance has recently embraced deterrence as a strategic posture, there is limited guidance about the force structure and posture implications for Army. The Australian Army Research Centre's new Occasional Paper addresses this gap by developing three models to achieve strategic deterrence through the forward presence of land forces.

A soldier from the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia conducts weapon familiarisation training at Townsville Field Training Area, in preparation for Exercise Talisman Sabre 23.
Providing Security Force Assistance to Developed/Advanced states
Our RegionRegional politicsEmerging Threats and OpportunitiesTrain, Advise and Assist

Not all security force assistance provided by Australia is focussed on states in conflict or categorised as 'fragile', Athol Yates considers the distinctive characteristics of training with developed and advance states, including the necessary adjustments to Army's approach.

Australian Army gunners from the 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery prepare to relocate the M777 howitzer during Exercise PREDATORS WALK at the Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory.
Australian Army: Security Force Assistance Battalion (SFABn)
Force DesignFuture ReadyRegional politicsTrain, Advise and Assist

While the Australian Army may respond to the Defence Strategic Review by continuing its ad hoc and bespoke, pathway to train, advise and assist (TAA) missions, Chris Field argues an alternate pathway. Specifically, he makes the case for a standing Australian Army Security Force Assistance Battalion (SFABn) to achieve TAA missions.

Australian Army personnel from 6th Engineer Support Regiment disembark from one of HMAS Canberra's landing craft in Port Vila during Operation Vanuatu Assist 2023.
Shared Challenges and Mass Insecurities
Force DesignAmphibious/joint/interagencyStrategy

William Leben reflects on the many shared challenges facing the ADF and the UK military as they both respond to strategic disruptions.

Australian Army Major Rick Hindmarsh, Officer Commanding Joint Pre-Landing Force, conducting a joint TNI Marine and ADF raid during an amphibious beach demonstration in Indonesia on Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022.
Strengthening Regional Stability and Security in the Indo-Pacific
Our RegionPeople, Culture and EthicsRegional politicsTrain, Advise and Assist

In this Land Power Forum post, Thomas Davis explores how the Australian Army's role in train, advise and assist missions contributes to strengthening regional stability and security in the Indo-Pacific. He focuses on the opportunities to leverage these missions to achieve strategic deterrence.

Australian Defence Force personnel play cricket with students from the Faleu primary school, Samoa, during Operation Solania 23-2.
The Difference Between Allies and Friends
Our RegionPeople, Culture and EthicsRegional politicsTrain, Advise and Assist

John Wellfare discusses the benefits of collaboration as a key tenet of train, advise and assist missions in the Indo-Pacific region. The mutual benefits of such operations are achieved most effectively when we truly view regional neighbours as joint partners.

Australian Defence Force personnel attached to Australian Defence Vessel Reliant offload members from the Natural Emergency Response Teams to Savo Island, Solomon Islands as part of Exercise LONGREACH, a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief exercise led by the Solomon Island Natural Disaster Management Office.
Building Blocks
Our RegionPeople, Culture and EthicsArmy & Society

Building solid relationships conducive to mutual force preservation is at the forefront of international missions. Luke Jones considers elements of relationship building - including strategic dialogue, training, and cultural awareness - through the aperture of train, advise and assist missions.

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