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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.

Articles
An Australian Army rifleman from Alpha Company of 8th/9th Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, fires an F88 Austeyr rifle into an "enemy" window during Exercise Ram Horn at Wide Bay Training Area, Queensland.
Meeting the Challenge of Protracted Battle
Land combatgrey zoneIrregular WarfareTransforming Land Power

This Post by Sam Baumgarten opens by describing the concept of protracted battle in the context of supporting military theory. It then makes the case for why the Army must continue efforts to enhance its ability to achieve decisive battle outcomes against semi-irregular opponents.

Mobile devices on grass; Image credit: Pixabay user - Goumbik (userid 3752483)
Intellectual Transformation: Professionalisation of the Other Ranks
Cognitive edgeLeadershipFuture ReadyTransforming Land Power

Reflecting on observations made by Richard Barrett in 'The Profession of Arms needs a CPD Program' John Wellfare makes a strong bid to resolve a challenge faced by many leaders throughout the organisation – how to achieve professionalisation of the ADF at the other ranks (OR) level.

Army Reserve soldiers from 13th Brigade on patrol in search of suspects of interest during a simulated scenario as part of 13th Brigade stability operations training at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia.
Domestic Security Force to Transform Army Land Power
Land combatForce DesignArmy & SocietyTransforming Land Power

John Brennan outlines the importance of enhancing Army's capability and flexibility to draw on the part-time force to meet Australia's security requirements in peace and war. Using overseas examples, he proposes a force design model to effect such an outcome.

3D Printed Drone from Markforged. Image credit: https://markforged.com
Adopting Additive Manufacturing and its Impact on Land Power
Land combatAdditive ManufacturingIndustryTransforming Land Power

K identifies the opportunity that exists for Army to transform land power through the innovative use of additive manufacturing to generate a more resilient supply chain, particularly in the field.

Australian Army soldier from the School of Armour, remotely controls an autonomous M113 AS4 optionally crewed combat vehicle (OCCV) at the Majura Training Area, Canberra..
From Tanks to Robots
Land combatRobotics & Autonomous SystemsEmerging TechnologiesTransforming Land Power

Robotic and autonomous systems represent the potential future of land warfare. Opening with this assertion, William Hill looks to history to see how technology has transformed the nature of warfare and analysing the implications for land combat capabilities.

Burning debris in the middle of a street; Image by Fajrul Falah from Pixabay
Ukrainian Resistance
Irregular WarfareHybrid WarfareLandpower lessons

Andy Maher explores the strategy of resistance, Ukraine’s employment of this strategy, and the issues that emerge as lessons for national security professionals.

Australian Army soldiers work in the command post during the field phase of the Operator Administrative Basic Course at the Army School of Ordnance conducted at Bandiana, Victoria.
Transforming Land Power – One Story at a Time
Land combatPeople, Culture and EthicsArmy & SocietyTransforming Land Power

The future of the Australian Army is inextricably linked to the society that it serves. In its efforts to transform land power, Annie North challenges Army to invest in storytelling to build the trust-based personal relationships needed to sustain and grow the force.

Promo image for book The Rag Tag Fleet by Ian W Shaw
Book Review - The Rag Tag Fleet
Book reviewLandpower lessonsMilitary history

Dr Al Palazzo introduces a book that will be welcomed by anyone with an interest in Australia and Second World War in the Pacific. While not claiming to be a work of great academic history, the book is commended as a great historical story about the eclectic mix of Australian mariners who supported Allied operations in New Guinea in 1942.

Australian Army Brigadier Martin White (left) at the Army Robotics Expo and Quantum Technology Challenge at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Outcomes of ‘Short Thoughts Competition’ – Transforming Land Power
ModernisationArmy & SocietyArmy in MotionTransforming Land Power

Entries in the the 2022 AARC Short Thoughts Competition, ‘Transforming Land Power’ have now been judged. Authors spanned a range of ranks and backgrounds proving that good ideas are not the monopoly of a particular area, group or rank band. This Post lists the winners and commended entries. Winners will be awarded a trip to the Chief of Army Symposium 2022 and a book voucher. All entries are in the process of being posted on the Land Power Forum.

A Shadow Unmanned Aerial System from the 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, is launched at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland.
Transforming Land Power from the Air
Land combatAccelerated WarfareEmerging TechnologiesTransforming Land Power

James Eling makes the case for Australia to develop a sovereign manufacturing capability for Unmanned Combat Aerial Systems (UCAS) – drones able to deliver kinetic effects to provide a scalable, effective and agile capability for our soldiers.

Cover of Spotlight Brief 2/22 1200x675
Spotlight Brief 2/22
Major power competitionUrban conflictLandpower lessons

This Spotlight Brief is the second in a series of focus pieces on the Russo-Ukrainian War. It describes the events of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, part of the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. This analysis is in three parts: first, it examines the broad composition of the Russian and Ukrainian Armed Forces; second, it discusses the first phase of the invasion from February-April outlining the major operational level actions; and third, it discusses the invasion’s second phase covering the April-June period.

Corporal Laura Wakeling's recruitment journey left an impression, with Laura opting to join the Defence Force Recruiting Centre Toowoomba as a careers coach, helping others find their own fulfilling career in the Australian Defence Force..
Recruitment for the Future
Land combatPeople, Culture and EthicsArmy & SocietyTransforming Land Power

In this Post, Tingting Luo explores the issue of land power transformation through the lens of concurrency pressures, the challenges posed by a competitive employment market, and the enduring need for Army to foster a sense of Service.

High Mobility Rocket Artillery Systems of the United States Army and United States Marine Corps launch rockets during a firepower demonstration held at Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, during Talisman Sabre 2021.
Thinking Deep: The need for a Deep Battle Concept for the Australian Army
Land combatAccelerated WarfareEmerging Threats and OpportunitiesTransforming Land Power

As the Australian Army contemplates the transformation of land power, it needs to focus on developing a deep battle concept. Jason Kirkham explains why.

Acting Head of Land Capability, BRIG Langford, speaking at ADM Congress 2022
Australia’s Army: A Future Ready Land Force
Land combatAccelerated WarfareEmerging Technologies

Acting Head of Land Capability, BRIG Ian Langford, presents his views on combat operations in the contemporary high threat environment to this year's ADM Congress, Canberra 22 June 2022.

Looking from the end of the street towards buildings either side on fire, with a little boy in a Superman suit walking toward them holding a Ukraine flag.
Observations from the Ukraine War
Land combatLandpower lessonsMajor power competition

Ukraine’s struggle to repel Russian’s military onslaught has highlighted that hope exists for small nations to resist a much larger potential aggressor. Peter Balind shares his observations about the emerging lessons.

Royal Australian Air Force Boeing C-17A Globemaster III prepares for takeoff at Nackaroo Airfield, Bradshaw Field Training Area near three United States Marine Corps MV-22B tilt rotor aircraft as part of Exercise Loobye.
The Australian Army’s Coming Strategic Role
Accelerated WarfareEmerging TechnologiesStrategyTransforming Land Power

Will Army need to transform its philosophy, organisation, and cultural hierarchy if its to achieve the full potential of long-range strike weapons? Dr Albert Palazzo is convinced that it will.

An Army approach to Transforming Landpower
Land combatPeople, Culture and EthicsArmy in MotionTransforming Land Power

Transforming land power involves comprehensively changing Army's ability to project force in and from land in peace, crisis and in war. MAJGEN Chris Field provides a conceptual framework within which Army can achieve such change.

File image of the Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 tank, the nominated replacement for the current Main Battle Tank, was provided by the US Government for Defence public affairs usage.
LNG: Keeping Australia in the Fight
Emerging Threats and OpportunitiesLand combatStrategyTransforming Land Power

Connor Cruickshank makes the case for increasing land capability by better utilising the potential of liquefied natural gas in combat vehicles.

Cover of Spotlight Brief 1/22 centered with a small shadow
Spotlight Brief 1/22
Major power competitionUrban conflictLandpower lessons

This Spotlight Brief provides an introduction and context to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War. It discusses Ukraine’s strategic circumstances and provides an overview of the chain of events which led to it. The Brief aims to provide a wide audience with a basis of knowledge to better understand the relationship between Russia and Ukraine and why the conflict occurred.

Corporal Jeromy Ringshaw from Charlie Company, Army Recruit Training Centre, marches as part of a formed body during basic training at Kapooka, New South Wales.
Role and structure of a Reserve Force
TrainingForce DesignStrategyTransforming Land Power

The ADF should develop a land force mobilisation capability by investing more effectively in the training of the ADF Reserve Force. Stephen Chamarette discusses why.

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