Defence Strategic Review 2023 | The Runway

Critical Capabilities:

undersea warfare capabilities (crewed and uncrewed) optimised for persistent, long-range sub-surface intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike;
an enhanced integrated targeting capability;
an enhanced long-range strike capability in all domains;
a fully enabled, integrated amphibious-capable combined-arms land system;
enhanced, all-domain, maritime capabilities for sea denial operations and localised sea control;
a networked expeditionary air operations capability;
an enhanced, all-domain, integrated air and missile defence capability;
a joint, expeditionary theatre logistics system with strategic depth and mobility;
a theatre command and control framework that enables an enhanced Integrated Force;
a developed network of northern bases to provide a platform for logistics support, denial and deterrence.
The Review's strategic outlook and notable findings should bolster Australia's national security and should result in the Australian Defence Force being structured and equipped to meet future challenges.

READ The National Defence: Defence Strategic Review 2023

Strategic Influence

National Defence: Defence Strategic Review 2023

The Defence Strategic Review charts a course for essential changes to Defence's structure and posture. The Review's strategic vision and significant discoveries will enhance Australia's national security and ensure that Australia's defence force can meet future challenges.

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Defence review warns Australia is not ready to ward off a major attacker

The Australian government has agreed to implement the recommendations of a review of the country's military capabilities, which focuses on building deterrence against potential aggressors through long-range strikes.

Strategic Influence

The ADF will have to deal with the consequences of climate change

Climate change is an issue of National Security, and the ADF needs to be able to incorporate this into planning and policy.

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on Australia's Defence Strategic Review

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomes Australia's Defence Strategic Review

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The Cove's Defence Strategic Review Report Digest

The Defence Strategic Review is a report by Stephen Smith and Angus Houston that reviewed Australia's military capabilities with input from 150 experts and 360 submissions.

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A Conversation with Sir Angus Houston, Co-Lead of Australia's New Defence Strategic Review.

Australia's strategic conditions have worsened, with conflict warning times dropping below ten years.

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A strong partnership with industry to implement the Defence Strategic Review

The Albanese Government intends to implement the 2023 Defence Strategic Review recommendations for defence industry growth and faster capability acquisition—a partnership between Government, industry and unions is critical for success.

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The Defence Strategic Review has triggered one of the greatest shifts in Australia's military since WWII. Here's what will change

Australia is entering a new age of warfare, deemed the "missile age". The Defence Strategic Review has triggered a significant shift in strategy, with the focus shifting to the Indo-Pacific. The north will be "hardened," and Australia will build its own long-range strike force. The navy will also be reshaped, and more funds will be allocated to Defence. The review also acknowledges the threat of climate change to the military's resources.

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Australian defence review outlines shift to strategy of denial

Australia has announced a shift in its defence strategy to denial, focused on anti-access/area-denial capabilities in its northern approaches and primary regional area of military interest.

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Crucial details are MIA from the Defence Strategic Review

The recently released Defence Strategic Review sets out a more integrated national defence approach and clarifies the five critical missions for the Australian Defence Force (ADF); however, more details in some key areas would have been useful.

Strategic Influence

USSC Insights: Australia’s Defence Strategic Review Underlines Deterrence By Denial

The Defence Strategic Review 2023 (DSR-2023) comes at a time of increasing global tensions. Australia will shift from a ‘balanced’ to a ‘focused’ defence force, with the US alliance and private sector involvement being critical.

Strategic Influence

Australia’s Defence Strategic Review: Forging Partnerships and Self Reliance

Australia's Defence Strategic Review (DSR) is a significant overhaul of the country's defence posture to become self-reliant amid the challenges posed by the "missile age" in modern conflict and China's military build-up. The DSR focuses on investing in long-range missiles, forging new defence partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, and aims to address strategic challenges centered on air and sea in the Indo-Pacific region.

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Turning the defence review into action will require a major mobilisation

The Strategist argues that the Australian government must prioritise resilience and preparedness policies to tackle its security challenges.

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Review identifies real threats, in real time

The recently published Defence Strategic Review has provided a worrying description of the current strategic circumstances. Our military planners cannot simply focus on preparing for potential threats as we are already facing those threats.

Strategic Influence

Reshaping the ADF to meet our strategic challenges

The Defence Strategic Review aims to transform the Australian Defence Force into a force that can deter aggression, particularly from Beijing, and promote regional peace. The plan involves modernizing defence capabilities, investing in new technologies, and collaborating with regional partners to enhance collective defence and protect Australia's interests.

Strategic Influence

Australia’s future security: Where the Defence Strategic Review falls short

The Interpreter argues that Australia's Defence Strategic Review (DSR-2023) should have been preceded by an integrated National Security Strategy to address comprehensive security challenges.

Strategic Influence

Australian budget: Historic defense spending, plus AU$1.2B on US-made missiles

This year’s federal budget demonstrates that Australia has big plans to buy US-made long-range strike capabilities—and eventually supply its own. It’s also the first time Defence funding has exceeded $50 billion.

Communication & Cognition

Time to hit the books: education and training in the defence strategic review

The Defence Strategic Review 2023 (DSR-23) highlights Australia's focus on acquiring advanced military technology but appears to neglect the training and education required to use this advanced technology effectively.

Strategic Influence

We now have a Defence Strategic Review but where is the National Risk Assessment, the National Security Strategy, and the plan?

John Blackburn argues that The Strategic Review (DSR) lacks a comprehensive strategy or clear plan, with the promise of a National Defence Strategy only by mid-2024.