Defence chiefs share opinions on Defence Strategic Review

The review identified six priority areas for immediate action including conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines, long-range strike capability and munitions manufacturing for the ADF, strengthening of Australia’s northern bases, disruptive new technologies, investment in a highly skilled workforce, and deepening of regional defence partnerships.

The DSR comes at a critical time for Defence and our nation, said Chief of the Defence Force General Angus Campbell.

“The deteriorating strategic environment presents challenges that require the ADF to have the capacity to defend Australia and our immediate region, including our northern approaches,” GEN Campbell said.

“To deter adversaries through denial, meet our evolving strategic needs and respond as required, the ADF will have accelerated capability development, higher levels of military preparedness, and enhanced lethality.”

The ADF will undertake a modernisation agenda over the coming decade to build an integrated, focused force across the maritime, land, air, space, and cyber domains, according to GEN Campbell.

Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Rob Chipman and Warrant Officer of the Air Force Ralph Clifton have released a joint statement that Air Force strategy would be reviewed to align with the review.

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“In an integrated force, we will have a common purpose irrespective of where we work in the organisation. We will measure our air and space contribution as a Defence output, not an Air Force output. We will be equally invested in the capability outcomes of all domains,” the statement said.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart said Army would continue to be an expert contributor to the integrated force.

“We need to adapt quickly to the rapidly changing character of war,” LTGEN Stuart said.

“There will also be changes to the scale and scope of our capabilities, the sequence and pace of delivery, how we are organised, how we train, and the resources that will be available to us.

“We’ll accelerate delivery of our long-range fires and littoral manoeuvre capabilities. Our formations will become more specialised, and we will increase the use of robotics and autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology.”

LTGEN Stuart said more work was being done on the details of how Army will be re-postured and restructured, and these would be shared by the end of August.

To find out more about the impact and opportunities of the government’s Defence Strategic Review, join us at the Defence Connect DSR Summit Day, reserve your tickets here.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.