[LINK] Australia must be prepared to, "launch combat operations from its own soil."

[Tom Worthington]

On 6/6/25 01:38, Stephen Loosley wrote:

> ADF chief warns Australia must be ready to launch combat operations
> from home By political reporter Olivia Caisley and foreign affairs
> reporter Stephen Dziedzic https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-04/
> defence-chief-warns-australia-must-be-ready-for-combat/105374804 ...

One of the first things I did when joining HQ ADF was take part in a
tour of northern bases. These do exist. Billions have been spent on air,
naval and army facilities. This includes an over the horizon radar 
system which Canada is going to copy (close up it looks like a very long 
clothes line). 
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05-13/canada-urgently-wants-australias-jorn-defence-radar/105185284

Bases could be upgraded to deal with new threats. For example, putting 
doors on the front of aircraft shelters and chicken wire on the back, so 
drones can't fly in. Also Australian made drone guns could be purchased 
for base guards.

> Admiral Johnston also pointed to the rapid evolution of modern
> warfare, highlighting that military technology could become obsolete
> in as little as 12 weeks, as seen in the Ukraine conflict. ...

Technology rarely becomes obsolete in 12 weeks. What happens is 
technology was already obsolete, but this only becomes apparent when 
tested in combat. As an example, large vehicles, ships & aircraft are 
more vulnerable to attack by missiles and drones. This is known, but 
most military leaders chose to ignore it.

Australia could spend better, rather than more on defence. For example, 
cancel nuclear powered submarines and order tens of thousands more smart 
sea mines, hundreds of conventionally powered robot submarines and 
perhaps a few crewed ones.

Australia could also recruit media and computer professionals as 
reservists. They would do a minimum of military training and be ready to 
conduct information and cyber operations. 
https://blog.tomw.net.au/2013/08/australian-cyberwarfare-battalion.html

Australia has projects for drone submarines and aircraft. What is 
lacking is an equivalent program for robot mini-tanks.

Ghost Shark Submarine: 
https://www.twz.com/sea/our-first-look-at-the-ghost-shark-uncrewed-submarine-underwater

Ghost Bat Aircraft: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_MQ-28_Ghost_Bat

Ghost Gecko Vehicle?: 
https://blog.tomw.net.au/2023/07/ghost-gecko-uncrewed-ground-vehicle.html

ps: When I moved into a new office at ANU there was work being done out 
the window. It was a tank for testing robot submarines being installed. 
The tank is still there, now unused.


-- 
Tom Worthington http://www.tomw.net.au
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