Australian Army Assess the Evolution of the Land Forces in a Fluid Combat Environment

09/21/2016

09/21/2016: The Chief of Army’s Exercise 2016 was an invitation-only event held in Adelaide on Brisbane on 5 – 8 September 2016.

The theme was ‘Redefining boundaries for the 21st century land forces’.

According to the Australian Army:

The Chief of Army’s Exercise provides the Australian Army, together with its national, regional and global partners, with a biennial forum to discuss issues relevant to the future of land forces.

RAAF Chief of Staff, Air Marshal Davies, addresses the conference.
RAAF Chief of Staff, Air Marshal Davies, addresses the conference.

The Australian Army has invited senior military leaders from the Australian Army, Australian Defence Force, Australian government organisations, international military representatives and academics to participate in this year’s exercise.

This year’s theme is ‘Redefining boundaries for the 21st century land forces’. 

The theme is designed to encourage discussions of the issues facing land forces now and into the future. 

The theme seeks a critical examination of areas and problems where land forces have not traditionally operated. 

Presentations on, and in support of, the central theme include the Indo-Pacific region in a global context, preparing land forces for hybrid threats and leading the joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational (JIIM) Force. 

The Chief of Army’s Exercise 2016 is being conducted alongside Land Forces 2016 Exposition, which is being held at the same venue from 6 – 8 September 2016.

Land Forces 2016 is a comprehensive international industry exhibition to showcase land-defence equipment, technology and services for the armies of Australia, Asia and the Pacific region. The exercise timetable has several opportunities for exercise participants to interact with Land Forces 2016 exhibitors and defence industry representatives.

In his opening address, Lieutenant General Campbell said this year’s theme is designed to be thought provoking and to challenge conventions.

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“Boundaries are expected to create definition, however, current and future security challenges can create ambiguity,” Lieutenant General Campbell said.

“A testing environment can be compounded by empowered individuals, assertive states and unstable planet.

“Opening the conversation encourages debate from which we gain ideas and innovative solutions.

“The 2016 Chief of Army’s exercise will investigate the impact of a fluid state on land forces, and I welcome the contribution of our military colleagues to this discussion.”

Credit: Australian Ministry of Defense:9/8/16