Australian Army adapting to littoral and maintaining precision strike, says Chief of Army

Training, such as Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, would demonstrate to the nation, the region and Australia’s partners that the Australian Army’s future was fighting on the beaches, rivers, coastal waters and archipelagos of the Indo-Pacific, according to LTGEN Stuart.

“This exercise is particularly important, as those who participate and observe will, firsthand, see the transformation of our Army, a transformation that optimises our ability to undertake littoral manoeuvre and maintains a precision strike capability,” he said.

“We are going to fire the first Australian precision strike missile from the first Australian HIMARS in the Northern Territory, and this will highlight just one of the many steps forward we have achieved since the implementation of the Defence Strategic Review and National Defence Strategy.

“This training, which sits within the Land Domain System construct, is about making sure we are ready to fight and win as part of the ADF’s integrated team.

“We are always seeking to improve through training and continual adaptation, because any war is a contest between who can adapt the fastest.

“So, we are out actively adapting to ensure all the mechanisms are in place, so when the time comes, we have the ability to adapt when it will matter most; in contact.

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“There are no soldiers, no team, no call signs that won’t be affected by Army’s transformation and future direction, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we are achieving.”

The US military has confirmed that it’s Marine Air-Ground Task Force is taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre 25, with MRF-D MAGTF Marines and sailors executing complex operations alongside the Australian Army’s 1st Division.

The training includes airfield seizures at Timber Creek, Cloncurry, and Bootu airfields; establishment of expeditionary advanced bases and sustainment hubs; joint and combined live-fire evolutions; and continuous airspace control of the NT through MRF-D MAGTF Marines with Marine Air Control Group 38.

Training highlights will include a bilateral artillery live-fire between Kilo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, MRF-D 25.3, and Australia’s 8th/12th Regiment at Mount Bundey Training Area, MV-22 Osprey-supported air assault operations to secure airfields deep inland and a historic mobile command and control node enabling continuous low signature deconfliction of fires and forces in the NT battlespace.

Marines are also operating the Tactical Aviation Ground Refuelling System to rapidly refuel joint and combined aircraft, showcasing advanced expeditionary refuelling capabilities.

MRF-D’s defensive cyber capabilities will also integrate with Australian and New Zealand partners to identify simulated threats during the exercise.

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.