Nine analysts provide different perspectives in this article, including the need for clearer prioritisation of capability development efforts. The strategy emphasises long-term resilience and preparedness planning, while sharpening the focus on deterrence and regional stability.

The visit provided the Committee with an overview of the Allied Air Command’s role in securing NATO airspace and highlighted how integrated air and missile defence, and multi-domain air power were central to collective deterrence.

NATO and Indo-Pacific partners are expanding cyber defence cooperation, emphasising AI-enabled detection, anticipatory resilience, and technical interoperability to strengthen multi-domain operations and maintain operational advantage in modern information warfare environments.

The collaboration combines technologies that will deliver a scalable, layered counter-UAS capability designed for rapid detection and defeat of modern drone threats. The two companies will partner on projects that address emerging counter-UAS requirements.

Influence relies on credibility and audience connection, and works best when it feels natural and relatable. Understanding audience behaviour is essential, as forced or obvious messaging often fails to shape perceptions or gain trust.

U.S. and allied forces successfully conducted exercise Cold Response 26 in the Arctic, integrating air, rescue, and refuelling operations to strengthen NATO interoperability, aiming to improve readiness and rapid response capabilities under extreme conditions.

Shipping routes depend on safe, predictable access. Naval mines remain a low-cost, high-impact threat, capable of halting global trade and forcing costly responses, even when only a small number are deployed or threatened in chokepoints.

UK forces demonstrated large-scale airborne insertion capability, validating rapid deployment of troops and equipment via A400M aircraft to deliver a concentrated force package for immediate response in crisis or combat scenarios.

F-35A deployment to Misawa Air Base in Japan marks a major upgrade to fifth-generation airpower, enhancing forward-based combat capability, sensor-driven operations, and interoperability to strengthen deterrence and rapid response in the Indo-Pacific.

Data centres underpin the growth of artificial intelligence technologies. Australia could influence AI development through smart policy and infrastructure choices, which could strengthen economic growth, improve resilience, and position the country as a trusted partner.