The Ukraine conflict is showcasing the significance of new warfare technologies and tactics for the 21st century, underscoring a timeless principle – the importance of mass in warfare.

Russia’s incursion into Ukraine debunked several post-Cold War beliefs. These include the unchallenged spread of liberal democracy and the notion of the “End of History” as suggested by US academic Francis Fukuyama. The current era sees autocratic nations growing stronger as traditional powerhouses like the US, UK, Japan, and Germany witness a decline in global influence.

Ukraine stands out as an example of the changing face of warfare. Unlike the guerrilla tactics prominent in conflicts like Afghanistan and Iraq in the 1990s, Ukraine has witnessed a more conventional style of warfare. This shift caught many global powers by surprise, signaling a potential return to state-on-state conflicts.

Michta, commenting on the situation, emphasized that the scale required for modern warfare is beyond what most Western militaries are prepared for. While the West has focused on precision strikes and advanced technology, the Ukraine conflict has shown that mass still plays a crucial role, especially against a comparable adversary. Expensive, precision-engineered weapon systems are only advantageous when combined with large force numbers on the battlefield.

In a prolonged conflict, the ability to quickly replace lost resources and personnel becomes crucial. With adversaries likely producing simpler, more affordable systems, Western powers might struggle to keep up.

For nations like Australia, the lessons from Ukraine are pivotal. There’s a pressing need to boost the nation’s industrial base to ensure economic resilience, competitiveness, and a steady supply chain for the armed forces.

Dr. Ross Babbage stresses the importance of economic resilience and innovation for Australia, advocating for the creation of high-tech job opportunities and a vision for the country’s future.

To secure its place in the shifting global landscape, Australia needs a more long-term approach, breaking away from short-term objectives. The nation must reconsider its position as a “middle” or “regional” power and aim higher to ensure the best possible future for its citizens. Transparency, collaboration, and a shared vision for the country’s direction are essential moving forward.

CALLS for Australia to commit boots to the ground in the latest Arab-Israeli war ignore the history of that region’s conflicts.

No external nation has ever committed troops in direct military support of Israel’s wars.

It’s simply not in their domestic or international interests.

There is however a long history of foreign nationals serving in the Israel Defence Force.

Israel has universal military service for all able-bodied citizens except ultra-orthodox sects, which do not recognise the Israeli state and claim exemption on religious grounds.

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We would not benefit from getting involved | Australian Defence History, Policy and Veterans Issues (targetsdown.blogspot.com)

A retired Army Officer was a keen duck hunter and often used hunting dogs when out for a shoot.

He heard about a kennel run by an ex-soldier who trained hunting dogs he thought he would give them a try.

He rang and was told that the only dog they had left was PTE Bowser.  He was told all dogs were given a rank depending on the level of its training and it would cost $10 for the weekend.  As it was a long weekend, he decided to give PTE Bowser a try.  The dog turned out to be a hopeless retriever, but the old man developed a strong friendship with the dog and vowed to use him next time he went hunting.

Two months later he rang and requested PTE Bowser and was told that CPL Bowser was available and would cost $40, the old man was delighted to hear of the dog’s promotion and took him out for the weekend.  The dog was very good at all aspects, pointing and retrieving, and the old man was pleased with his efforts.

It took 6 months before the old man was able to go hunting again, he rang the kennel and asked for CPL Bowser, and was overwhelmed to hear that he was now WO1 Bowser and would cost $300. He took WO1 Bowser out and the dog proved to be a master at all aspects of the hunt.

A month went by, and the old bloke couldn’t stop thinking about the dog, he called the kennel and offered to buy the dog for $500, he was shocked to hear that he could have him for $10,”Is this the same dog you have had since he was a PTE and has progressed to WO1?” the bloke asked, “What happened?”.

The kennel owner stated “Well, he got so good we promoted him to Major, now he just sits on his arse and barks all day.”

In the evolving era of smart weaponry, Northrop Grumman has secured a contract from the US Navy to craft a self-navigating 57-mm artillery round for the Mk110 Naval Gun Mount, a medium-sized firearm on Littoral Combat Ships.

Historical naval warfare, as portrayed in classic films and documentaries, often showed chaotic scenes of explosive shots raining down in hopes of hitting the target. Modern naval strategies, however, emphasize accuracy over raw firepower. The trend has shifted from firing multiple heavy explosive rounds in hope of a few hitting the target to precisely aiming a single round to maximize its effectiveness.

The precision-centric philosophy is evident in Northrop’s latest 57-mm shell. Borrowing from their experience in transforming traditional bombs into precise weapons, Northrop’s new shell features a downsized, yet robust system equipped with seeker sensors. These sensors enable the shell to latch onto and chase even swift and manoeuvrable targets. Further, it’s equipped with a rear-facing steering system for final approach adjustments and a versatile fuse that can be set for close proximity or direct impact, ensuring maximum impact.

Notably, this advanced round can be shot from greater distances, maintain its course regardless of evasive manoeuvres by the target, and is compatible with the current deck gun without any modifications.

Dave Fine, Vice President of Armament Systems at Northrop Grumman, stated, “Our cutting-edge 57-mm guided round offers unparalleled tracking and guidance capabilities. This ensures the Navy not only effectively identifies moving threats but also possesses the unmatched precision to neutralize them.”

Source: Northrop Grumman

A trio of international defence contractors have teamed up to offer a new lower-tier counter-drone system that consists of a turreted infantry rifle with a computerized “smart sight,” a small radar array, and a six-wheeled uncrewed ground vehicle. The resulting combination could potentially be employed against other threats beyond drones and would also offer units on the ground valuable surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Smart Shooter, headquartered in Israel, collaborated with Leonardo DRS, the U.S.-based subsidiary of Italy’s Leonardo, and American firm HDT Global to develop this system, seen in the picture at the top of this story. It is set to make its public debut at the Association of the U.S. Army’s main annual conference that opens in Washington, D.C. next week.

The weapon component of the system comes from Smart Shooter. It consists of the company’s Smash Hopper remote-controlled turret armed with a standard infantry rifle equipped with a Smash 2000-series computerized optic.

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Little Radar-Toting Robotic Gun Vehicle Aims To Protect Squads From Drones (thedrive.com)