Washington Post-Lional Thorpe

WASHINGTON: The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now stretching over two-and-a-half years, has provided military analysts and strategists with fresh insights into the changing face of large-scale combat. From the rapid deployment of unmanned systems to the increasingly critical role of electronic warfare (EW), the war has become a testing ground for new tactics and innovations.

At the recent Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) conference, US military officials reflected on the lessons learned from Ukraine’s defence against Russia. As Andrew Evans, director of the Army’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Task Force, highlighted, “The best innovators are those who must innovate to survive.” The innovation seen on the battlefield in Ukraine is, according to Evans, nothing short of unprecedented.

One key lesson came from Ukraine’s naval strategy. Despite Russia’s overwhelming naval superiority on paper, Ukraine has managed to keep the Russian Black Sea Fleet in check through the use of unmanned surface vessels and land-based strikes. Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, Director of Naval Intelligence, noted that Ukraine’s use of Neptune cruise missiles, which led to the sinking of the Russian Moskva in 2022, was a pivotal moment. This success was followed by the adoption of unmanned systems that further complicated Russia’s naval operations. Thomas emphasized that smaller, more cost-effective unmanned systems could have a disproportionate impact on traditional naval forces.

In the air, the importance of commercial remote sensing was underscored by Maj. Gen. Gregory Gagnon of the Space Force. In the months leading up to the invasion, US officials used commercial satellite imagery to convince allies of Russia’s imminent plans, allowing for the early mobilization of diplomatic and military support. Gagnon pointed out that the ability to share unclassified imagery with the public was crucial in building international consensus and support for Ukraine.

Information warfare has also emerged as a dominant feature of the conflict. Brig. Gen. William Wilburn of the National Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Directorate described the “race to control the narrative” on social media as a critical aspect of modern warfare. Both sides have used this information space to amplify their messages, often deploying misinformation to influence public perception and international opinion. Wilburn remarked that this new form of information dominance will likely be a staple in future conflicts.

The conflict has also brought to light the effectiveness of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in combat. Evans noted that inexpensive drones are frequently able to neutralize much more expensive equipment, presenting a stark contrast in return on investment. This dynamic is pushing military planners to rethink how they procure and deploy weapons systems. At the same time, the need for adaptive electronic warfare strategies has become apparent. Evans warned that the US military has underinvested in EW, leaving a gap in both defensive and offensive capabilities. The ability to rapidly reprogram EW systems to counter enemy tactics will be essential in future engagements.

As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, it serves as a live case study in the evolution of modern warfare. The lessons learned from this conflict will shape how future wars are fought, with an emphasis on unmanned systems, electronic warfare, and the battle for information control.

Content Warning: This article discusses suicide and mental health issues.

As prime minister, Scott Morrison consistently acknowledged both the traditional custodians of the land and Australia’s veterans in his speeches. Early in his tenure in 2018, one of his flagship policies was the introduction of the Australian Veterans’ Card and lapel pin, aimed at honouring military personnel and securing discounts on essential services like groceries and power bills.

However well-intentioned, the initiative quickly fizzled out. This failure reflects a broader, systemic problem that has plagued the nation for decades: the disproportionate rate of suicide among current and former members of Australia’s Defence Force (ADF).

Two years after Morrison left office, a major legacy of his administration came to light on Monday—the release of the final report from a royal commission into veterans’ suicide. While the findings are deeply distressing, they confirm long-standing concerns: Australia’s military community has been enduring a silent crisis, with three suicides occurring every fortnight for the past decade.

This report, spanning seven volumes and over 3,100 pages, places responsibility squarely in the hands of Morrison’s successor, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. His government must now confront the shocking details and work to implement solutions.

The royal commission’s findings are grim: between 1985 and 2021, 1,677 active and former defence personnel took their own lives—a number 20 times greater than those who died in active service. The commissioners warned that the true toll may be even higher, with as many as 3,000 preventable deaths.

The report highlighted how simply being in the ADF increases the risk of suicide, with the dangers amplifying for those who have served in combat roles. Men in the ADF are 30% more likely to die by suicide than those in the civilian workforce, a figure that jumps to 100% for those in combat or security roles. Ex-servicemen face an even grimmer outlook. For women, the risk is worse: ex-servicewomen are 107% more likely to die by suicide, with that number soaring to 452% for those in combat or security roles.

Commission Chair Nick Kaldos remarked that for too long, these alarming statistics were ignored, deemed too difficult to address.

Recommendations for Reform

The royal commission issued 122 recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths. The key proposal calls for the creation of a statutory entity to oversee reforms within the ADF and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA). This body would ensure that both institutions take concrete steps to reduce suicides and improve the wellbeing of current and former service members.

Other recommendations include better data collection to inform policies, the creation of a national suicide database, and the establishment of a peak body for ex-service organizations. The commission also proposed a new executive agency within the DVA to help veterans transition from military to civilian life and ensure early access to mental health support.

The Long Road to Accountability

The fight for this royal commission was long and hard-fought by families of veterans who had died by suicide. For years, their calls were dismissed. In 2020, Morrison’s government attempted to bypass the demand for a royal commission by establishing a permanent national commissioner to investigate Defence Force suicides, but families like Julie-Ann Finney, whose son, Navy Petty Officer David Finney, died in 2019, continued to push for more accountability. Eventually, Morrison conceded, and the royal commission was established, running for three years.

The commission’s establishment was an acknowledgment of decades of failure—not just by the ADF and DVA but by successive governments, including Morrison’s own.

The Challenge Ahead for Albanese

The royal commission brought with it a cascade of apologies from senior ADF leaders. Kaldos noted that the DVA has begun making progress, thanks in part to hundreds of new staff recruited under Albanese’s leadership to address a 42,000-claim backlog. Both Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton have pledged to work together to implement the commission’s recommendations and prevent future tragedies.

However, the commissioners remain sceptical of Defence and DVA’s ability to enact the sweeping changes necessary. Commissioner Peggy Brown stated that the departments could not be trusted to resolve the deep-rooted issues on their own, emphasizing the need for an ongoing body to hold them accountable.

Senator Jacqui Lambie, a long-time advocate for reform and a former soldier herself, expressed hope for change but voiced concerns that the Defence Force might impede progress. “It must be all in, or else we’re never going to fix this,” she warned.

From Good Intentions to Action

For the families of those lost to suicide, the promises of cultural change from successive governments have often rung hollow. The royal commission’s report has the potential to change that—but only if it leads to real, sustained action.

The path forward is clear: Australia must confront this national shame head-on, ensuring that the final report does not gather dust on a government shelf but instead serves as a catalyst for meaningful change. Only then can the country honour its commitment to those who have served and sacrificed in its name.

Defence support services:

• The Defence all-hours Support Line is a confidential telephone and online service for ADF members and their families 1800 628 036
• Open Arms provides 24-hour free and confidential counselling and support for current and former ADF members and their families 1800 011 046
• Soldier On is a national support services provider for Defence personnel, contemporary veterans, and their families. Contact during office hours 1300 620 380

When looking at an aircraft carrier it may seem like it can topple at any moment. That’s probably because of the weight it lifts– about 5,000 sailors on board with dozens of aircraft. But here’s the most delicate question: How does the world’s largest Aircraft carrier not tip over? Or can it?

Warships and personnel from over 30 nations will arrive in Darwin this week for Australia’s premier maritime warfare event, Exercise Kakadu. Since its inception in 1993, the exercise has grown in both size and complexity, this year featuring warships, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft, with over 3,000 uniformed personnel participating.

Vice Admiral Mark Hammond, AO RAN, Chief of the Navy, warmly welcomed the participants and highlighted the significance of the partnerships that would be strengthened throughout the exercise. “Kakadu is the largest and most important international exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy. It enhances relationships and interoperability between participating armed forces. As a maritime nation, Australia, like its neighbours, relies on the sea for prosperity, secured by a strong Navy and solid partnerships,” said Vice Admiral Hammond. “Kakadu allows officers, sailors, and aviators to sharpen their skills in a range of tactical maritime operations. This year’s focus is on greater integration and interoperability with our international partners in all aspects of the exercise.”

Building on the success of 2022, this year’s event will feature a multinational Exercise Control team based at RAAF Base Darwin. They will coordinate air, sea, and subsurface activities, covering the full spectrum of maritime warfare, from mission planning and constabulary operations to advanced anti-submarine warfare and air defence exercises.

“There is no economic security without maritime security,” Vice Admiral Hammond emphasized. “The nations participating in Kakadu share this view and are committed to ensuring the safety, security, and strength of our countries.”

The theme for this year’s exercise is “Regional Cooperation through Trusted and Proven Partnerships.” Alongside the at-sea exercises, there will be a harbor phase featuring briefings, a Fleet Commanders and Senior Leaders’ conference, ceremonies, and various cultural, social, and sporting events.

The statement “The media manipulates the point of view” touches on a widely held belief that media organizations, through selective reporting, framing, or editorial choices, can influence how audiences perceive events and issues. Media outlets may emphasize certain aspects of a story, omit critical information, or present biased perspectives, consciously or unconsciously. This can shape public opinion by highlighting particular viewpoints while downplaying others.

Factors like ownership, political affiliations, target audience, and economic interests can play roles in how stories are presented. For instance, a news outlet with a specific political leaning may frame an event in a way that supports its ideology, leading audiences to interpret it in line with that perspective. Social media algorithms can also contribute to echo chambers, reinforcing specific views by showing users content aligned with their beliefs.

This young man articulates the problem very well.

The F-14 Tomcat is remembered for its important Navy role during the 1980s and 1990s. However, few people are aware of the brief role it played in the Vietnam War. We look at Operation Frequent Wind, in which the F-14 served.

The Grumman F-14 Tomcat, made famous by Top Gun, served as the U.S. Navy’s top naval fighter jet for decades. Renowned for its impressive speed and range, the F-14 could reach speeds over Mach 2 and had an extraordinary combat radius of 1,841 miles—a range the Navy still misses today.

Equipped with advanced systems like the AWG-9 radar and AIM-54 Phoenix missile, the Tomcat could lock onto and engage multiple targets up to 90 miles away, giving it a distinct advantage in air combat. Its versatile design, featuring variable-sweep wings, enabled the F-14 to excel in both air-to-air and air-to-ground roles. Though retired in 2006, it remains one of the Navy’s most iconic and capable fighter jets.

“Do you feel the need for speed?” This famous line from Top Gun may have catapulted Tom Cruise into stardom, but the true star of the film was the Grumman F-14 Tomcat. At the time, the F-14 was the most advanced naval warplane ever built, combining air superiority with interception capabilities that could shield a carrier group from anything the Soviet fleet could muster.

In terms of performance, the Tomcat certainly delivered on speed, reaching cruising speeds above Mach 2. But its real standout feature was its range—a combat radius of 1,841 miles, unmatched by any naval aircraft since.

Armed with the AIM-54 Phoenix missile, the F-14 could obliterate targets from 90 miles away. This long-range strike capability, combined with the radar system’s ability to track 24 targets and engage six simultaneously, made it an unparalleled force in fleet air defence.

Although the Navy once considered developing a successor, the F-21 Super Tomcat, they ultimately moved forward with the F/A-18 Super Hornet and are now transitioning to the F-35 Lightning II. However, even the F-35, a fifth-generation fighter, lacks some of the unique capabilities that made the F-14 so formidable. There have been murmurs of dissatisfaction within the Navy regarding the loss of capabilities following the Tomcat’s final flight in 2006.

Perhaps one day, the Navy will revisit the idea of building a true successor to the F-14—a jet that many still consider the greatest naval warplane ever built.

ED: While the government often makes statements in the media, there is a history of inaction when it comes to fully implementing the outcomes of Royal Commissions. Many times, reports are tabled and promises are made, but substantial follow-through is lacking. Today, the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide will be handed to the Governor-General and is expected to be tabled in Parliament later. Once this happens, the report will be accessible on the Australian Parliament House website.

The Department has stated that it will actively support the Royal Commission’s work and implement its recommendations. However, given past trends with other commissions, it’s uncertain how much of the report’s findings will lead to meaningful change. With extensive media coverage likely, particularly surrounding mental health and suicide, support services are available for the veteran community.

The next steps, as always, will depend on real political will and not just media sound bites.

Ray

When air support is needed on the battlefield, nothing inspires both confidence in friendly infantry and chilling terror in enemy infantry like the silhouette of an A-10 Warthog! It’s not for nothing that this attack aircraft has become a true icon of American military aviation, bursting into all sorts of halls of fame with both wings spread! But can Warthog remain relevant for the foreseeable future, given the active development of drones and artificial intelligence technology?

• Defence News Army 2024

Picture: AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicles (Picture source: Australian DoD)

The Australian Army is undergoing significant reorganization to modernize its armoured capabilities, concentrating its heavy vehicles, including the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams tanks and AS21 Redback infantry fighting vehicles, in Townsville. This restructuring follows the recommendations of last year’s Defence Strategic Review, aimed at strengthening the country’s military readiness.

The Army’s 3rd Brigade, stationed in Townsville, will operate most of the newly acquired heavy armour. Among the key additions are the M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams, advanced battle tanks sourced from the United States. These tanks represent a major upgrade from the older M1A1 Abrams, which Australia has operated since 2007 after retiring its Leopard 1 tanks.

In June, 27 M1A2 SEPv3 Abrams were spotted en route to Australia, believed to have been shipped via California. Australia is purchasing 75 of these upgraded tanks, which bring enhanced protection, advanced technology, and improved combat capabilities. The M1A2 SEPv3 features a 120 mm main gun, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun on the turret. It also includes advanced composite armour and the option for the Trophy active protection system, which intercepts threats such as rockets and missiles. Additionally, it boasts improved communication systems and energy management for efficient battlefield performance and maintenance.

These acquisitions are part of Australia’s broader effort to bolster its defence forces. Alongside the Abrams, the Army is also expanding its fleet of infantry fighting vehicles with the AS21 Redback, developed by Hanwha Defence. Australia plans to purchase 129 AS21 Redback vehicles as part of Phase 3 of the LAND 400 modernization program. Designed for mechanized infantry, the Redback offers strong protection, mobility, and firepower, armed with a 30 mm cannon and Spike-LR2 anti-tank missiles.

The AS21 Redback is equipped with modular armour and advanced digital systems that enhance battlefield coordination. It carries eight infantry soldiers alongside its crew, making it highly versatile for modern combat operations. These vehicles will replace the aging M113AS4 armoured personnel carriers, which have served for decades but are no longer adequate for contemporary battlefield needs.

By centralizing these new armoured assets in Townsville, the Australian Army aims to optimize the management and deployment of its modernized forces. This move enhances the Army’s ability to respond to modern threats and supports the broader initiative to reinforce the country’s defence capabilities.