Skip to main content

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.

Articles
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.

Australian troops of the British Military Mission 204 march to the front in Jiangxi province - Australian War Memorial (AWM).
When Australian went to War in China
Our RegionMajor power competitionLandpower lessonsTrain, Advise and Assist

With a focus on resistance strategy, Andrew Maher reflects on the modern relevance of historical lessons from Australia's WWII capacity building efforts in China.

Australian Army soldiers deployed Exercise Olgeta Warrior on Mentoring and Training Team - Alpha participate in a Rehearsal of Concept drill with Force Support Battalion of the PNGDF in Papua New Guinea.
The Place of an Intellectual Edge in Train, Advise and Assist Missions
Cognitive edgeOur RegionPeople, Culture and EthicsTrain, Advise and Assist

Australia’s model of 'Good Soldiering' involves the development of trusting teams, where ideas can be contested, and each soldier is expected to contribute to a force with an intellectual edge over potential adversaries. Matthew Malcolm considers how an Australian approach to 'Good Soldiering' might encounter challenges arising from the educational heritage of nations in our region.

An Australian Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter delivers Australian Aid stores to Futuna Island during Operation Vanuatu Assist 2023.
‘You Can’t Surge Trust’
Civil-Military RelationsArmy & SocietyEnvironment

Beth Eggleston outlines the findings of her recent research into how humanitarian civil-military coordination can be enhanced to support climate-change related operations and the delivery of life-saving assistance.

The staff ride undertook a Quick Decision Exercise on the attack by the 2/24th Bn at ‘Rippon’ – vital ground covering the operational objective – the Tarakan airfield. Pictured is the solution of one staff ride member to the tactical problem set.
1945 Amphibious Operations in Borneo - Operation Oboe Staff Ride
Landpower lessonsAmphibious/joint/interagency

A Staff Ride to Borneo conducted by the Australian Army Research Centres offered a rich learning experience for Greg Strahan. As he observes in this Post, the discussions that took place around the contemporary significance of historical events was made profoundly more beneficial by the opportunity to walk the ground and share insights among the diverse group of participants.

A Royal Australian Air Force Airfield Defence Guard from No. 2 Security Forces Squadron secures Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba as Australian Army soldiers from the 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, dismount a Royal Australian Air Force C-17A Globemaster apart of Exercise Ram Stallion.
‘Holding the Door Open’ – Securing a Point of Entry to Facilitate Littoral Manoeuvre in the Near Region’ - Part Two
Amphibious/joint/interagencyEmerging Threats and OpportunitiesFuture Ready

In Part Two of this Land Power Forum series focussing on littoral manoeuvre, Dayton McCarthy discusses the relevance to Australia of a denial strategy requiring Army to be ready to deploy into the near region to effect and/or enable multi-domain fires.

The cover of book, Burning Steel, highhlighted front and center with a blurred tank image as the background.
Book Review - Burning Steel
Book reviewLandpower lessons

Chris Roberts reviews Peter Hart's book 'Burning Steel', a splendid account of a British Territorial Army tank regiment - the 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry - during World War Two.

Cover of AAJ Volume 19 Number 1
Release of Australian Army Journal Vol XIX No 1 2023
AAJAustralian Army JournalContent Release

The Chief of Army opens this edition of the Australian Army Journal recognising Army's intellectual capital as a driver for innovation and change. This Journal covers diverse topics - from the relevance of the Basic Fitness Assessment in preparing soldiers for operations, analysis of the Australian Defence Force Gap year Program, to a history of staff development in the Australian Army.

The Thales Strike Master vehicle on display alongside a Hawkei vehicle in the Brisbane Convention Centre.
Innovation lessons from Land Forces 2022
Emerging TechnologiesAccelerated WarfareFuture Ready

James Eling reflects on the Land Forces 2022 conference held in Brisbane late last year and the opportunities for innovation highlighted by exhibitors. The emerging technologies showcased will shape the direction of future warfare.

Australian Defence Force and Indonesian National Armed Forces conduct an amphibious demonstration at Dabo, Singkep, a remote island in Indonesia, during Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022.
‘Holding the Door Open’ - Securing a Point of Entry to Facilitate Littoral Manoeuvre in the Near Region - Part One
Amphibious/joint/interagencyEmerging Threats and OpportunitiesFuture Ready

The 2023 Defence Strategic Review states that ‘Australia’s army must be transformed and optimised for littoral manoeuvre’ as part of the ADF transition from a balanced force to one focused on applying a strategy of denial. In this Part 1 of a four-part Land Power Forum Littoral Series, Dayton McCarthy examines some key characteristics of the littoral environment in Australia's nearer region.

Australian Army soliders from 10th Force Support Battalion's Amphibious Beaching Team await the arrival of troops on an Lighter Landing Craft during Exercise Trident 2022 near Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland.
Holding the Door Open
Amphibious/joint/interagencyEmerging Threats and OpportunitiesFuture Ready

In response to the Defence Strategic Review's twin-fold guidance to clarify the area stretching from ‘maritime Southeast Asia into the Pacific’ as the ‘primary area of military interest’, and for Army to become adept at littoral operations, the Australian Army Research Centre (AARC) has produced a four-part series to promote further discussion. This series will be published on the Land Power Forum over the coming weeks.

Last updated:
Contribute an article

The Australian Army Research Centre welcomes contributions to foster debate.

Contribute