The U.S. Air Force’s 2025 Department-Level Exercise demonstrated large-scale, multi-domain operations with 400+ aircraft and 12,000 personnel. The aim was to improve C2, allied interoperability, and to enhance the rapid deployment of forces.

Australia has signed a five-year, A$133.6m sustainment contract with KBR to upgrade and streamline the Air and Space Operations – Command and Control System, strengthening ADF air mission planning, integration, and operational advantage.

China’s growing dominance extends beyond naval assertiveness to arms sales and military exercises, deepening ties with regional defence leaders and fostering reliance on Chinese platforms, thereby expanding influence alongside coercive South China Sea actions.

China and Russia have deepened economic, military, and diplomatic ties, aligning against U.S. influence despite asymmetries and underlying mistrust. Their cooperation intensified following Russia’s war in Ukraine, but remains opportunistic rather than a formal alliance.

The US $500,000 Flamingos use re-purposed, older jet engines and basic guidance systems and could reshape Ukraine’s deep strike campaign targeting air bases, oil refineries etc. Taiwan would need rapid-scale production and political will.

AI systems reflect their creators’ assumptions and values. Foreign-built AI embeds external cultural and political biases. Australia must either establish its own artificial intelligence standards to preserve capability, or accept long-term foreign dependence.

Advances in open-source intelligence, satellite imagery, genomic sequencing, and microbial forensics enhance the ability to detect clandestine bioweapons programs. Strengthened verification, combined with improved confidence-building measures, is essential to maintain treaty compliance and reduce escalation.

Pakistan maintains at least six potential nuclear missile garrisons and is developing ground and sea launched Babur cruise missiles, advancing a nuclear triad with second-strike capability to deter India.

The U.S. Air Force’s DASH 2 experiment demonstrated that human-machine teaming can significantly accelerate battle management decisions without replacing operator judgment. AI produced faster, more numerous, and comparably accurate recommendations.

The debate over nuclear-armed submarine-launched cruise missiles highlights a clash between capability and practicality. With strategy focused on conventional deterrence and strategic modernisation, investing in new nuclear cruise missiles would divert resources from higher priorities.