[LINK] Cyber Security in Defence Strategic Review

[Stephen Loosley]

From: Tom Worthington<mailto:tom.worthington at tomw.net.au>
Sent: Wednesday, 26 April 2023 10:33 AM
Subject: [LINK] Cyber Security in Defence Strategic Review

https://www.defence.gov.au/about/reviews-inquiries/defence-strategic-review

Had a call from the media asking about cyber security in the Defence
Strategic Review .. had a half hour to go through the report .. There is
a section on "Cyber domain and  targeting" (page 63) "Australia’s cyber
and information operations capabilities must be scaled up and optimised.”
... "The evolution to five domains – maritime, land, air, space and cyber –
demands a new approach." page 54

Thanks for this Tom.

And just btw, here’s a summary ‘Guardian’ response to the review ..


“Five things you need to know about how the defence strategic review changes Australia’s military priorities”

Review says the ADF is not ‘fully fit for purpose’ and suggests ways to counter new threats in our region.

Defence strategic review: Australia will build longer range military power amid ‘radically different’ security environment

By Paul_Karp 24 Apr 2023 https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/apr/24/five-things-you-need-to-know-about-how-the-defence-strategic-review-changes-australias-military-priorities


The Albanese government released the defence strategic review on Monday, promising $19bn of spending to help improve the range and force projection of the Australian defence force to Australia’s north in response to greater major power competition.

The review found, and the government agreed, that the ADF is “not fully fit for purpose”.

It cited threats to trade routes, cyberwarfare, and long range missile strikes as developments that have “radically reduced Australia’s geographic benefits” of the “comfort of distance”.

In the post-war period the priority has been the defence of Australia doctrine, focused on low-level conflict from small to middle regional powers, which the review said is “no longer suitable”.

Instead, the new approach is national defence, which includes preparing for “potential threats rising from major power competition, including the prospect of conflict”.

Australia’s defence force will now have five jobs: defending the nation; deterring adversaries through denial, particularly from projecting force against Australia from its northern approaches; protecting our economic connection with the region and the world; collective security of the Indo-Pacific; and maintenance of the international rules based order...

3. More force projection

The review found that the navy needs “enhanced lethality” – hence the Aukus nuclear-powered submarine acquisition, and a recommendation for a continuous naval shipbuilding program.

According to the national defence statement accompanying the review, the army must be “optimised for littoral operations in our northern land and maritime spaces and provide a long-range strike capability”. This includes more long-range firing weapons (Himars) and land-based maritime strike capabilities.

The army’s range for firing projectile munitions will increase from 40km to initially a range of 300km, and with the acquisition of the precision strike missile, ranges in excess of 500km.

The review also called for the “rapid establishment of domestic manufacturing” of guided weapons, with options to develop a domestic missile industry to be provided by the second quarter of 2024. The government agreed this is a priority.


The review recommended that “defence funding should be increased to meet our strategic circumstances.” The total to be spent on implementing the review is $19bn over four years, including the $9bn spent on Aukus submarines.

There will need to be “difficult decisions and trade-offs to manage the defence budget over the immediate period”, it said.

Guardian Australia understands six defence projects have been cancelled; six delayed; and 21 “rescoped”, including a reduction in land combat vehicles from 450 to 129. The second regiment of army self-propelled howitzers will be cancelled immediately. There’s also a short and sharp review of the navy’s surface combatant fleet capability in the third quarter of 2023, which could mean cuts to Hunter class frigates.

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