Page 68 - Williams Foundation Future of Electronic Warfare Seminar

A New Approach and Attitude to Electronic Warfare in Australia

Question: You are being a more integrated force, but this template, which you are shaping, could then
form a solid foundation for the kinds of innovation, which your government might see as important in
the years ahead.

What kinds of innovations do you see in the mid term from this perspective?

Air Marshal Davies: Clearly, situational awareness of the air and space domain is critical, but so is an ability
to affect an adversary; potentially at long range as part of an integrated package.
"What form this will take is a work in progress and will reflect judgments about need in the period ahead
within a coalition context.

“If we shape a force that can only do parts of the warfighting continuum we will have failed.

"That is why in our exercises with partners such as in Talisman Saber 2017 we are working the spectrum of
conflict both to shape capability, but to lay a solid foundation for thinking about future operational needs.”
Question: As we go forward, it is important to think through the military force we are building up against
the objectives, which Australia and its allies can establish within the region and beyond.

You are building a very flexible and in that overused term, agile force, but these tools need to be
matched up against objectives.

Clearly, as you have said, protection of Australian territory is crucial but beyond that what approach do
we need?

Air Marshal Davies: As you suggest, military capability is a necessary but not sufficient condition for success.

"It is crucial that we sort out objectives among ourselves in the region and beyond,

"What are the most crucial challenges to be met?

"How and where do our approaches overlap and where do they differ?

"And we need to remain aware that the military responses are only one of those options that each respective
government has.

"We need to be credible

"And building of credible military options, should they be needed, requires coordination with our allies."

Question: How do you view the fundamentals of the Australian approach going forward?

Air Marshal Davies: A key element is simply our unique geography and the nature of our neighborhood. We
have a unique geography, which provides protection as well as challenges within our region.

"As I mentioned earlier, this means shaping robust and clear relationships with our closest neighbors.

"It means working with allies like the US and Japan to shape very flexible military options to adapt to
changes in the region.

"Space is becoming increasingly important.

Second Line of Defense

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