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An Enabled 1st (Australian) Division A Division is one of the four best commands in the Service-a platoon, a battalion, a division, and an Army…A division, because it is the smallest formation that is the complete orchestra of war and the largest in which every man can know you. [i] Field Marshal Viscount Slim On 07 July, the Chief of Army (CA) stated, ‘We are setting conditions today to enable Army’s transformation. We are reorganising to reinforce our division headquarters to better command and control …

An Enabled 1st (Australian) Division Part One of this article outlined the historical structure of an Australian divisional. This structure was reviewed in light of the Chief of Army’s July 2023 pronouncement regarding the 1st (Australian) Division. The key capabilities currently missing are the enabling brigades that empower the division to conduct independent operations. The capacity to conduct independent operations is an important requirement due to the contemporary threat environment posed by large …

Army’s approach to accelerated preparedness In October, the AARC launched its spring series ‘ Short Thoughts Competition ’ on Army’s approach to accelerated preparedness. The purpose was to encourage authors to think about the activities Army can undertake now to achieve success in future and the types of capability that would best prepare land forces for future operational tasks. In a resource constrained and competitive workforce environment, our contributors specifically addressed the opportunities for …

The ADF has a long history of defence international engagement within our region and beyond. In Occasional Paper 18 , Dr Michael O'Keefe seeks to extend the policy literature through a case study of international engagement with Fiji by detailing how a successful approach from 2014-2017 contributed to the achievement of Australian foreign policy goals. … Occasional Paper release - ADF Engagement with …

Introduction Human soldiers are the army’s most valuable resource. A lot of money is invested in their training. In order to minimise their exposure to risk, where possible they should be replaced with inexpensive robots. A good example is collecting intelligence at observation posts, where human soldiers tend to get tired and bored, and need a reliable supply of food, water and electrical energy (e.g. batteries or solar cells). Robots could also be used to support dismounted soldiers. In this application …

Introduction The recent Defence Strategic Review (DSR) has brought to light significant challenges previously unnoticed by defence commentators and the broader Australian public. Two key tenets of the DSR are concerns about climate change, and the need for an asymmetric capability, which in turn pose questions about our capability to meet domestic emergencies and defence of our sovereignty. [i] The implementation of existing and emerging autonomous technologies at scale will contribute significantly …

A decision support model to evaluate force composition Introduction The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is approaching a strategic environment that is less benign, more demanding and of higher risk to life and safety. Compounding these strategic risks are worsening resourcing (workforce and funding) challenges – a characteristic not uncommon across previous periods of relative peace in Australia. Critical to issues of concurrency, particularly for Army, is the inescapable truth that operational activities …

Smarter Deception Introduction In releasing the Defence Strategic Review, the Australian Government announced a pivotal (and not unforeseen) clarification in Australia’s defence strategy. Notably, the Review directs Australia to adopt a strategy of denial intended to defend Australia by influencing an adversary’s ‘state of mind’ such that it changes ‘its risk assessment and, therefore, decision-making’. [1] However, the Review also identifies the necessary but ambitious related capability reform will need …

From 22 April to 06 May 2023, thirteen Australian Army members were lucky enough to attend Exercise STARCEVICH, an Australian Army Staff Ride focused on the WWII Oboe operations. With the assistance of a senior instructor and an expert historian, during these two weeks, we had the opportunity to study the relevant battlefields across Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. We debated the successes and mistakes made during these battles and considered the implications for today’s Australian Army. Why Study the …

Enhancing Capability to Secure Urban Points of Entry Context Gaining and retaining a secure Air or Sea Point of Entry (POE), with existing capabilities is likely to be a personnel intensive task of greater than battle group size. This is because suitable POE will be urban and the consequent challenges of maintaining observation along a secure perimeter there, especially where there are surrounding dominating structures. Securing a POE is a critical Army enabling function for the Integrated Force to execute …