By Robbin Laird The Williams Foundation seminar on August 23, 2018 focused on the evolving role of independent strike within the evolving Australian deterrent strategy. Currently, the Australian submarine force provides the longest-range stealth strike platform within the ADF. Although it posseses modest force of six Collins class submarines, the…
By Robbin Laird Sydney, Australia During my visit to Fleet Base East in Sydney, I had a chance to talk with Captain Leif Maxfield, Deputy Commodore Warfare in the Royal Australian Navy. At Garden Island, two of the latest additions for the RAN can be seen, namely the new amphibious…
By Robbin Laird Research Fellow, The Williams Foundation Canberra, Australia As the Chinese challenge grows, Australia is clearly concerned about expanded Chinese influence within Australia and with regard to Chinese efforts to reshape the external environment to expand the influence and power of the Chinese authoritarian state. Clearly the United…
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia, I had a chance to visit Electric Optical Systems (EOS) in Canberra and to meet with the founder and his senior team working on space systems. EOS works closely with global customers, including the United States, and provides cutting edge lasers…
By Robbin Laird During my current trip to Australia, I started with the opportunity to visit the HMAS Hobart, the first Aegis Air Warfare destroyer for the Royal Australian Navy. This was my second visit to Garden Island, and it is always exciting to see the city of Sydney in…
By Todd Miller In what seems like a sci-fi movie of only a few years ago, “artificial intelligence empowered, war fighting drones” teamed with manned command and control are shaping up as the path forward. The last few years have seen several manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) initiatives by the USAF and…
Recently, the Aussies downselected a UK design for its new frigate class. This is a key element for the rebuild of the Australian Navy. Soon we will be visiting Adelaide, Australia and seeing some of the new shipyard construction associated with the new build submarine. On July 19, 2018, the…
As expected, the UK Ministry of Defence has released a new Air Combat Strategy at the Farnbourgh Air Show. In an article published on July 16, 2018, the UK Ministry of Defence announced the new strategy. Announcing the publication of the new Combat Air Strategy at the Farnborough International Airshow, the Defence…
