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A fresh Australian Defence Force exercise seeks to accelerate response and readiness to local security threats.
Exercise Austral Shield will see ADF personnel from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force, as well as Space Command and Cyber Command, working together to increase cooperation in complex security events that affect infrastructure, resources and civilians.
Held throughout July across Western Australia and Queensland, the exercise will focus on ensuring there is an integrated and efficient process for the ADF as well as local agencies to work effectively together in the event of a major domestic security concern.
“Exercises like Austral Shield ensure the ADF remains ready, agile and integrated, capable of responding to a wide range of contingencies in Australia,” said Commodore Phillipa Hay, director-general of Joint Collective Training.
“As the 2026 National Defence Strategy highlights, Australia faces a more unpredictable security environment, requiring greater preparedness and resilience.
“Testing our ability to integrate alongside state and federal agencies will enable us to achieve a whole-of-government approach to crisis response and preparedness, including the protection of critical infrastructure.”
Over 1,500 personnel will engage in the training, which will use a range of advanced techniques and mechanisms to demonstrate the collective readiness by a range of Aussie agencies.
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