Access to foreign bases has long been a critical enabler of the ADF, and ongoing access will be key to Australia’s future security. In the past, these Forward Operating Bases (FOB) were considered relatively secure, however continual improvements to the range and accuracy of missiles acquired by adversarial militaries have made these bases attractive targets, being the seemingly soft underbelly of western militaries.
In order to continue utilisation of FOBs, and to guarantee the safety of deployed forces, the ADF cannot remain idle to the threat of advanced air and missile attacks. As such Australia must look to develop its Air and Missile Defence (AMD) capabilities in order to remain secure in future operations.
The aim of the essay is to discuss a range of AMD design and operating concepts to inform the development of an ADF Integrated AMD (IAMD) capability.
This essay will be structured into four key areas: western nations’ historical and future reliance on FOBs to project power; the emerging threat of powerful state and non-state actors; Australia’s response to emerging air and missile threats; and, IAMD design and operational concepts in an Australian context.
Dragon’s Jaw is the Vietnamese nickname for the Thanh Hóa bridge.
Air power is distinguished from sea and land power by its flexibility, speed, ubiquity, range and shock effect. These characteristics give air power a unique ability to concentrate force
and manoeuvre rapidly over long distances
The 2024 Air and Space Power Conference focuses on building air and space power capability in the context of the ADF’s capstone concept, integrated
As part of the Air and Space Power Centre’s objective to provide pathways for professional mastery, Squadron Leader Chris Kourloufas has completed
In January 2020, I was privileged to fill the role of Senior ADF Officer (SADFO) and Air Base Executive Officer (ABXO) of the RAAF Base Wagga, as the national bushfire emergency unfolded across the NSW southwest slopes.
The 2024 Air and Space Power Conference focuses on building air and space power capability in the context of the ADF’s capstone concept, integrated
Ready to explore possibilities for nuclear-engine air power? An informative perspective for air power practitioners on the general characteristics, history, prospects, and risks of nuclear-engines as they potentially disrupt air power and space power.
This publication augues that for Air Force to meet the challenges of Australia’s current geostrategic environment, and remain relevant, it must bro
