Europe, China and Australia: How Far Apart?

12/31/2020
By Robbin Laird With the European Commission spearheaded a closer relationship with China, the gap -- not just geographical -- between Australia and Europe is clearly growing. My own recently published book on the evolution of Australian defence strategy highlights the shift from the away game to the home game…

Visiting HMLA-269 and 167: Shaping a Way Ahead for Marine Corps Light Attack Helicopters

12/30/2020
Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 269 (HMLA-269) is currently commanded by Lt. Col. Short and is a squadron consisting of the AH-1Z Viper attack helicopter and the UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter. They are known as the Gunrunners, and next door within the same hangar are the Warriors of Marine Light…

The Next Phase of Australian National Security Strategy: Noise Before Defeat 5

12/28/2020
In the release of the new Australian defensce strategy on July 1, 2020, Prime Minister Morrison highlighted the important role which Senator Jim Molan plays in his thinking about defence.. Recently, Senator Molan has launched a podcast series looking at the way ahead and how Australia might address the challenges…

Australians Launch New Naval Sustainment Approach

12/28/2020
In a press release on December 1, 2020 by the Australian Department of Defence, a new regional sustainment approach for the Royal Australian Navy was announced. Defence is looking for an Australian industry partner to deliver a new, innovative approach to the sustainment of Navy’s fleet, which will boost defence…

Visiting MAG-29 at 2nd Marine Air Wing: The Perspective of Col. Finneran

12/23/2020
By Robbin Laird During my visit to 2nd MAW during the first week of December, I had a chance to visit MAG-29, with regard to both the CH-53 and H-1 units. Then I had a chance to discuss the way ahead for the assault force with the Commanding Officer of…

The International Fighter Conference 2020: An Overview and Report

12/22/2020
Two recent DefenceiQ conferences provided unique insights into the way ahead for air and sea power. The first conference with the International Fighter Conference 2020 and was held (virtually) on November 18 and 19, 2020. The second was held on December 1, 2020 and focused on the evolution of amphibious…

The Coming of Australia’s Hunter Class Frigates

12/22/2020
By Marcus Hellyer The Hunter class’s schedule is under pressure. Granted, the government and Defence are confident they will achieve the milestone of prototyping on schedule by the end of 2020, so pretty much right now. Since that’s purely an exercise in checking that the shipyard’s systems work, it doesn’t…

The Next Phase of Australian National Security Strategy: Noise Before Defeat 4

12/21/2020
I am in the throes of finishing up my book on the evolution of Australian defence strategy over the past several years, from 2014 until now. With the announcement of the new government defence strategy by Prime Minister Morrison on July 1, 2020, it seemed a good time to draw…