By Robbin Laird Two broad findings can be drawn from my five years of visiting Australia and working with the Australian Defence Force. The first is that they are very focused on building out as integrated a force as they are capable of doing, and that means not only leveraging…
By Marcus Hellyer Yesterday (April 29, 2019) from the election campaign trail in Western Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison made some naval shipbuilding announcements relating to the Royal Australian Navy’s mine-clearing and hydrographic capabilities. Speaking from the Henderson shipyard south of Perth, he announced that more ships would be built…
In an article by Andrew Greene, defense correspondent for Australia’s ABC news, the author leveraged Pierre Tran’s article published on Second Line of Defense to discuss the French-Australian working relationship around which a new submarine is to be designed, built and launched. The story was published on April 26, 2019,…
By Richard Weitz The U.S. Congress has a welcome opportunity to end U.S. dependence on Russian rocket engines for its national security satellites. However, Congress needs to proceed with the existing agreed timetable to avoid unnecessary deals that risk U.S. national security. Members recognize that the United States can leverage…
By Robbin Laird Last year, the Australian navy announced that they would build a new class of frigates, the Hunter class. This new class will be built-in Australia with BAE Systems as the prime contractor. The Brits and the Aussies will work together on this new launch platform and the…
Shaping ways to gain transient software advantage and rapid insertion of technological advances is key to a 21st century software-enabled combat force. In a recent article published by the UK MoD, the engagement of Britain in the PREDA effort was highlighted. Digital apps are set to redefine the battlefield as…
By Robbin Laird Part of the defense rethinking going on in Australia involves finding ways to enhance a sustainable fifth generation force. Building out a lethal and effective offensive-defensive force, which can expand the perimeter for the defense of Australia and provide for allied extended deterrence, is a core focus…
The Australian government signed an agreement in 2016 with Naval Group to build a new class of attack submarines. There have been challenges to reach a partnering agreement, including intellectual property and other issues. Last month, a core partnering agreement was signed enabling further working relationships to be established essential…
