A Process Shift in Australian Defence and Its Implications: The Perspective of Dr. Andrew Carr

10/10/2023
By Robbin Laird During my current trip to Australia in support of the Williams Foundation 27 September 2023, I had a chance to talk with my colleague Dr. Andrew Carr of Australian National University. He is a regular interlocutor for me on strategic issues affecting Australia and the broader alliance.…

The CH-53K in the New Strategic Era: The Case of the Sustainment Enterprise

10/09/2023
By Robbin Laird The USMC has introduced three major air platforms in the past twenty years. The Osprey was introduced during the land wars, but introduced during the Obama Administration’s “pivot to the Pacific.” But with the Trump Administration’s emphasis on the “great power competition” in 2018 it began its…

Preparedness and Fighting with the Force You Have Now

10/08/2023
By Robbin Laird I have had the privilege to work with military officers throughout the Western world for more than 30 years. If there is one constant, it has been their concern with the ready force. Long-range thinking is important, but you have to “fight tonight with the force you…

The Danes Build the Next Generation Modular Ship: The “Mothership” and “Payload Centric Platform Modularity”

10/07/2023
By Robbin Laird During my visit to the DSEI conference in London In September 2023, I spent a significant part of my time looking at a real revolution in ship building, maritime automated systems, and the payload revolution underlying the kill web. I did this in large part by the…

Deterrence and Multi-Domain Strike: The Perspective of PACAF

10/06/2023
By Robbin Laird What is the relationship among multi-domain strike capabilities, warfighting and deterrence? Multi-domain strike capabilities can only be done with foundational capabilities which enhance one’s viability in warfighting, and by being able to do so to enhance the adversary perceptions of their risk calculus. They need to believe…

The Multi-Domain Strike Enterprise: Building and Providing the Weapons

10/06/2023
By Robbin Laird It will do little if one crafts the force for effective strike and does not work to ensure that the enterprise does not go Winchester much more rapidly than the duration of conflict. This is a major problem and at the first Williams Foundation seminar of 2023,…

What has Happened Since the DSR has been Published: The Perspective of Marcus Hellyer

10/05/2023
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia to support the Williams Foundation Seminar held on 27 September 2023, I had a chance to talk with the well-known Australian strategist, Marcus Hellyer. Formerly of ASPI, he is now is head of research at Strategic Analysis, Australia. I asked Marcus…