The DSR Introduces Change: But How to Shape a Realistic Force Re-Design?

10/17/2023
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia is support of the 27 September 2023 Williams Foundation seminar, I was able to meet with Dr. Stephan Frühling, Professor at the Coral Bell School of Asia Pacific Affairs at the Australian National University. Professor Stephan Frühling teaches and researches at…

NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) High Visibility Project

10/13/2023
According to a 12 October 2023 NATO Press Release: Two initiatives were signed in the margins of the NATO Defence Ministers’ meeting this week (11-12 October 2023), demonstrating Allies’ commitment to work together to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence in the air domain. On Wednesday (11 October 2023), Germany and…

The DSR as a Strategic Shift: Brigadier General (Retired) Langford Provides a Clear Perspective

10/13/2023
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia in support of the Williams Foundation seminar held on 27 September 2023, I had a chance to talk with one of the speakers at the conference Brigadier General (Retired) Ian Langford about the DSR and its impact. During our discussion, Langford…

C2 Robotics and Crafting New Undersea Operational Capabilities for Defence and Security

10/11/2023
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia in support of the 27 September 2023 Willliams Foundation seminar, I have taken the opportunity to continue my discussions on the coming of maritime autonomous systems to the Australian forces. First, I was able to talk with CDRE Darron Kavanagh, Director…

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…