“Logrolling” in Antarctic governance: Limits and opportunities Source: Polar Record – Dec 20 In this article, McGee, Carpi and Jackson offer two simultaneous areas of consideration: addressing China’s increasing international influence and assertiveness regarding the Antarctica Treaty, and providing a case study in ‘log-rolling’ as a strategic approach. The former is of increasing importance to Australia given we have significant responsibilities and interests in Antarctica. Matters which undermine either …

The first Army Quantum Technology Challenge (QTC 2021) saw teams of Australia’s world-leading quantum scientists and engineers show how quantum technologies can conceptually deliver Army unprecedented capabilities, including: Making the ground transparent: imaging what is hidden subterranean Resupplying troops in battle quickly, safely and efficiently: optimisation of large-scale resupply by squads of autonomous uncrewed ground vehicles. Denying the enemy secure communications: countermeasures quantum …

The first Army Quantum Technology Challenge (QTC 2021) was held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on 20 April 2021. The Challenge saw teams of Australia’s world-leading quantum scientists and engineers compete to show how quantum technologies can conceptually deliver Army unprecedented capabilities, including: Making the ground transparent: imaging what is hidden subterranean Resupplying troops in battle quickly, safely and efficiently: optimisation of large-scale resupply by squads of …

Global reset: COVID-19, systemic rivalry and the global order Source: Research in Globalization – Dec 20 One of the surprises from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was the failure of strong Western nations to minimise or control the spread of the disease. This has complicated their standing within the world, a standing already under pressure from rapid economic and military growth in Asia. Dunford and Qi suggest one potential outcome of this, with a reset of the international order now focused on Beijing and …

An analysis of counterterrorism measures taken by Indonesia since the 2002 Bali bombings Source: The Pacific Review – Jul 20 As much as a shock that the Bali bombings of 2002 were to Australians, the event and its long-term impact were even greater for the Indonesians. Coming at the start of the US ‘War on Terror’, there was significant pressure on Jakarta from Washington and Canberra to reform their domestic security posture and crack down on terrorist groups and supporters. Nearly 19 years on, Kathrin …

Introduction 2021 is a new year that arrives with antecedents firmly established and continuing to drive the strategic agenda. The AARC 2020 Strategic Assessments held, at their core, a view that the events of 2020 were accelerants of existing domestic and international challenges. The 2019–2020 National Bushfire crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic; tensions between US, China and their partners, and many Western nations experiencing social and political division, led the Prime Minister to describe the …

A Note from the Editors Welcome to the second issue of the Future Land Warfare Branch’s Spotlight Brief from the Australian Army Research Centre’s (AARC). This issue has a focus on the region. The Indo-Pacific Region is vitally important. It is not only where we live, but also the place where the Australian Army and its people work cooperatively and collaboratively with our many allies, partners and friends to advance peace and security for all. This will be on display at the forthcoming Chief of Army …

Editor's note: The Quantum Technology Roadmap has now been launched and can be viewed here . On 20th April 2021, Army will launch its Quantum Technology Roadmap. The launch will occur during the Quantum Technology Challenge 2021 (QTC 2021) at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre and will include presentations from Australia’s Chief Scientist, Dr Cathy Foley AO PSM, and the Chief Defence Scientist, Prof Tanya Munro. Quantum technologies have been identified as having substantial disruptive …

Australian Army Research Centre Spotlight Briefs provide a periodically released curated overview of issues relevant to Australian Landpower. Spotlight Briefs derive solely from available open source material. Inclusion of material in a Spotlight Brief does not imply or reflect Australian Army, Australian Defence Force or Australian Commonwealth Government policy. The below is a focus on the ‘Economics’ section of Spotlight Brief 1/21 , which can be viewed fully here . The Future of Work in the Mekong …

The Effectiveness of Armoured Vehicles in Urban Warfare Conditions Source: Defence Science Journal – Jan 21 The ever-increasing urbanisation of the world presages urban warfare as an enduring mission for land power in the future. This also drives the requirement for the effects that are presently only delivered by armoured vehicles in such an environment – direct firepower, protection, mobility and secure mobile nodes. To that end, the author utilises data from nearly 700 attacks in urban areas of Syria …