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Feature Report
Strategic importance of the Indian Ocean
By Dr Carlo Kopp

The Indian Ocean is of vital strategic importance to Australia, even if this fact has not been a prominent aspect of the ongoing defence debate in this nation. Media reports this year indicate that discussions with the United States are now under way over basing access in the Indian Ocean, while a Force Posture Review is now under way, which could see increased ADF basing in Western Australia. At this time the ADF's hub for operations in the north of the continent is the Northern Territory, with principal ADF basing infrastructure in Darwin and Tindal. This reflects the Indonesia-centric thinking which pervaded Defence planning since Konfrontasi during the early 1960s, and has continued to dominate force structure planning in Canberra, despite the deep, pervasive and fundamental strategic changes arising from the industrialisation of Asia, and the resulting rise of China as a major regional power.
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DefenceToday - December 2011
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 As an island nation Australia needs a strong Navy to defend its sea lane approaches and to engage with allies in expeditionary force operations. This edition focuses on maritime warfare capability, as a prelude to the Sea Power Conference and Pacific Maritime Exposition in Sydney in 2012. ...more >  
DefenceToday - September 2011
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 This special Land Warfare edition concentrates on the changing roles and composition of military forces in prosecuting the land battles of today and tomorrow. These days we expect a lot of our military forces - not only winning the battles but also the hearts and minds of the local populus. The nature of warfare has also changed, with conflicts such as those in the Middle East being mostly counter insurgency. ...more >  
Defence Today - June 2011
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 In this special Defence+Industry edition to be distributed at this year's D+I Conference in late June we examine the issues facing contractors in their quest to win Defence business. Soon to retire from the Australian Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal 'Angus' Houston talks about his time as Chief of the Defence Force and challenges facing the ADF. ...more >  
DefenceToday - March 2011
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 In this special Air Power issue we preview the Australian International Air Show to be held early March at Avalon airport west of Melbourne. This edition examines the development of air power capability in the region, as Australia expands its Defence forces to maintain its potential combat edge. ...more >  
DefenceToday - December 2010
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 Maritime operations in Australia have high priority, with several Defence procurement programs aiming to increase Australian Defence Force capability to deter and defeat threats to sovereign territory, particularly from our northern approaches. This issue examines the defence capability impact of these and other programs. ...more >  
Defence Today - October 2010
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 In this special Land Warfare edition we follow the latest developments in platforms, weaponry and technologies that impact on Australia's Land Force and supporting elements of the ADF.
This year's Land Warfare Conference in Brisbane mid-November has as its theme 'Full Spectrum Threats: Adaptive Responses'. ...more >  
Defence Today - June 2010
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 Australia's new F/A-18F Super Hornets bring a new era of air combat capability to the ADF. We examine what that capability means to the defence of Australia, the coincident demise of the F-111, and the options for a future combined F/A-18F and F-35 Joint Strike Fighter force. We also examine evolving rotary-wing systems and weapons, as combat forces rely more on helicopters in the asymmetric warfare environment. ...more >  
Defence Today - March 2010
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 In this special air power edition we focus on a wide range of capabilities, from pilot training to the application of science in achieving the all important air superiority. One of the most exciting prospects in world air power is the new Sukhoi Su-35S, which combines range, weaponry and advanced systems. Dr Carlo Kopp examines the impressive capability of this new Russian fighter and its potential threat to western air forces. ...more >  
Defence Today - December 2009
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 This edition of DefenceToday covers maritime power in Australia and introduces the Pacific 2010 International Maritime Conference to be held in Sydney in January 2010. The ambitious Air Warfare Destroyer project is on target, according to Defence, to deliver the first vessel in December 2014. Nigel Pittaway provides an update on the multi-billion dollar program. ...more >  
Defence Today - September 2009
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 In this special Land Warfare edition we look at a number of issues facing land force operations including one of the most devastating threats facing Coalition forces today: Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs. Two articles, by Carlo Kopp and David Eshel, examine the devices, tactics and disproportionate response to this insidious threat - and measures being taken to counter this new tactic by insurgents. ...more >  
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