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This working paper argues that the skills of historical analysis are an essential element of military decision-making. It suggests that military decision-making is shaped by temporal circumstances and that consequently historical awareness must be seen as one of the key attributes of an effective officer. Historical knowledge and methodology have a key role to play in military operations. Not only should the Australian Defence Force (ADF) adopt a more sophisticated approach to the education of its officers …

Land commanders are increasingly dependent on information-age systems comprising communications and information systems, networks and sensors. While these systems have the potential to produce significant changes in the conduct and character of war, their reliance on the electromagnetic spectrum also has the potential to increase their vulnerability to interdiction by electronic-warfare systems. Of all the changes likely to occur as a result of the use of information-age systems, the evolution of today's …

During the 20th century, joint operations—and particularly amphibious operations—have played an important role in the defence of Australia. This paper is a survey of the major joint operations undertaken by Australian Forces in the past one hundred years and aims to examine key factors such as the changing mechanisms for joint operations, doctrine and equipment. The survey begins with the first joint operation that Australian Forces undertook in 1914. The influence of Gallipoli on Australian defence policy …

Strategists today are grappling with asymmetric warfare, collateral effects of past actions and the complexity of military operations in the Information Era, where outcomes may be influenced as much by what people think as by the application of conventional military force. Yet questions over how best to apply military force in this age of instant access to information have been generating debate since before the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, with several recent international military operations …

This working paper proposes a concept for the Australian Army's Groundbased Aerospace Defence (GBAeD) system of 2030. GBAeD 2030 is part of a balanced joint force, and an integral element of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) air-defence system. It will be able to operate autonomously or as part of a coalition force. GBAeD 2030 will be important to achieving the future military roles, and have utility for tasks that do not require force. Regardless of the operational task, GBAeD 2030 contributes to force …

When members of the Australian Defence Force deployed in September 1999 as part of the International Force East Timor (INTERFET), East Timor was an information vacuum. Information networks within East Timor itself were practically non-existent, and the only news service was provided entirely by the international media. This news vacuum presented a unique opportunity for the INTERFET forces and an ideal situation in which the Australian Defence Force could hone its skills in information operations. This …

Australia's commitment to the War on Terrorism exposes a conundrum that lies at the heart of Australian defence preparedness. In a world dominated by the United States as the global superpower, how can Australia use its defence forces to pursue national interests while gaining the strategic benefits that accrue from being a close partner of the United States? Events since 11 September 2001 have demonstrated that it is no longer possible to restrict Australia's strategic horizon to its immediate region. …

This paper reviews the prospect for the establishment of a robust multilateral security mechanism in the Asia-Pacific. It considers two types of security mechanisms: one broadly inclusive and one based on existing bilateral alliances with the United States. The paper makes the assessment that neither form of multilateral security mechanism in the Asia-Pacific is likely at this time. In the absence of a multilateral institution, the paper examines security interests that are shared by Australia and Japan, …

A Model Pacific Solution? A Study Of The Deployment Of The Regional Assistance Mission To Solomon Islands by James Watson The paper  A Model Pacific Solution? A Study of the Deployment of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands  examines the early stages of the multinational deployment of police, military and other personnel to Solomon Islands. The ongoing deployment is led by the police, with the military in close support. The paper addresses the legal and operational consequences of brining …

This paper is a study of the recent transformation in the employment and structure of Special Operations Forces. The author argues that these forces have moved from a marginal, albeit important, part of traditional conventional strategy towards being a central component of any government warfighting or national security response. Their transformation may be seen in the context of the missions they are called on to perform and the capabilities they must therefore possess. Recent changes to organisational …