Integrated information effort across ADF branches, public service and industry need to achieve excellence, says Major General McAslan

The conference examined the convergence of cyber, influence, intelligence, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, while highlighting the importance of partnerships and workforce development in building future capability.

Representing Commander Joint Operations Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Deputy Commander Joint Operations Major General Hugh McAslan delivered a keynote address on the integration of information across joint operations.

“The challenge is no longer information scarcity, the challenge is information coherence,” Major General McAslan said.

“For the Australian Defence Force, this means we must integrate information considerations throughout operational design – not treat them as supporting activities, but recognise them as a central component of operational effectiveness. Information is no longer simply something that informs operations. Increasingly, information is the operation.”

“The side that understands first, decides first and acts first, often gains disproportionate advantage… Strategic advantage will increasingly belong to those who can connect information, people, authorities and capabilities faster and more effectively than their competitors.

“We need an integrated effort across the five services – Navy, Army, Air Force, the Australian Public Service and contractors/industry. The future will not be secured by isolated excellence. It will be secured through collective excellence.”

VIEW ALL

Major General McAslan emphasised that information has become a decisive element of national power and operational effectiveness, with modern competition increasingly defined by the ability to integrate information, cyber capabilities, intelligence, military force, government policy, industry expertise and international partnerships.

During the summit, Director of the Information Advantage Centre of Excellence Group Captain Michael Burgess-Orton amplified Major General McAslan’s comments by highlighting the growing importance of Information Operations within the 2026 National Defence Strategy.

“Australia's strategic environment is increasingly characterised by grey-zone competition, coercion and contests for influence,” Group Captain Burgess-Orton said.

“The question is no longer whether information shapes conflict. The evidence is overwhelming that it does. The question is whether we will adapt quickly enough to compete in an environment where information is increasingly a source of power and advantage.

“Under the authority of Chief of Joint Capabilities, we are bringing together previously separate areas of human-centred expertise into a professional, all-service capability designed to provide commanders with better decisions, improved positioning and greater operational impact.”