By Robbin Laird Canberra, Australia During my visit to RAAF Edinburgh on August 10, 2018, I had a chance to talk with Group Captain Darren Goldie, Officer Commanding 92 Wing. 92 Wing is described by the RAAF as follows: Headquartered at RAAF Base Edinburgh, No 92 Wing (92WG) has long…
By Robbin Laird Canberra, Australia I have been coming to Australia for five years and working the seminar reports for the Williams Foundation in support of the Australian Defence Force Modernization. This modernization process has been very much focused not simply on recapitalization of the force but shaping a new…
According to the Chinese press: The Chinese military will take part in the Vostok-2018 (or East-2018) strategic drills in Russia from late August to mid-September, the Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced on Monday. Military forces from the two countries will hold joint operation exercises at the Tsugol training range…
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…
Background For over twenty years the F-111 provided the Australian Defence Force with a strike capability with the strategic reach to provide Australia with an independent strike option should deterrence fail. With the retirement of the long-range F-111, Australia’s future air strike capability now rests in the capabilities of the…
By Robbin Laird During my current visit to Australia, I had a chance to continue my discussions with Ross Babbage about the challenges of dealing with 21st advanced authoritarian states. Recently, he co-authored a study entitled “ Countering Comprehensive Coercion: Competitive Strategies Against Authoritarian Political Warfare,” and with that as…
Hypersonics has been a key priority for the US until the last Administration pushed the work done to that date into dormancy. But neither the Russians nor the Chinese went to sleep while the US focused on and resource the land wars instead. They continued to make progress on this…
By Robbin Laird Missile defense capabilities have grown over the years, and have become important elements of the joint force. But they have operated largely as organic assets supporting either tactical or strategic operations, but not as an element of C2 integrated force. As the US forces shift from a…
