top of page

Expert Analysis
In-depth thinking by our highly experienced network of military scholars and practitioners.


The Imperative for Cost Effectiveness in Multidomain Operations: Final Report - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The Imperative for Cost Effectiveness in Multidomain Operations : Final Report, 22 May 2025 Link to ebook (Defense.info)
Jun 171 min read


Shaping a Way Ahead for Autonomous Defence Capabilities for the ADF - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Shaping a Way Ahead for Autonomous Defence Capabilities for the ADF by Denial, 17 June 2025 Link to article...
Jun 173 min read


Strategic Transformation for a New Era: Reworking the Australian’s Army’s Role in Australian Defence - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Strategic Transformation for a New Era: Reworking the Australian’s Army’s Role in Australian Defence, 16 June 2025 Link...
Jun 166 min read


Australia and the Way Ahead with Autonomous Systems - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Australia and the Way Ahead with Autonomous Systems, 15 June 2025 Link to article (Defense.info) During my visit to...
Jun 155 min read


Reshaping Combined Arms Operations: Lessons Learned from Drone Warfare Operations - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Reshaping Combined Arms Operations: Lessons Learned from Drone Warfare Operations, 14 June 2025 Link to article...
Jun 146 min read


The Autonomous Revolution: How Australia Could Transform Defense Through Maritime Robotics - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The Autonomous Revolution: How Australia Could Transform Defense Through Maritime Robotics, 13 June 2025 Link to article...
Jun 137 min read


The Maritime Revolution: How Autonomous Vessels Are Reshaping Naval Strategy - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The Maritime Revolution: How Autonomous Vessels Are Reshaping Naval Strategy, 12 June 2025 Link to article...
Jun 124 min read


Training for Modern Airpower Operations: How to Address the Challenges - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Training for Modern Airpower Operations: How to Address the Challenges, 9 June 2025 Link to article (Defense.info) On...
Jun 95 min read


Shaping a Way Ahead for the Australian Defence Force in the Context of Global Strategic Transition - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Shaping a Way Ahead for the Australian Defence Force in the Context of Global Strategic Transition, 3 June 2025 Link to...
Jun 35 min read


Australian Army’s Strategic Pivot: Adapting for the Indo-Pacific Century - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Training for Modern Airpower Operations: How to Address the Challenges, 3 June 2025 Link to article (Defense.info) I had...
Jun 34 min read


An Update on the Royal Australian Air Force: A Conversation with Air Marshal Chappell - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, An Update on the Royal Australian Air Force: A Conversation with Air Marshal Chappell, 2 June 2025 Link to article...
Jun 25 min read


The Need to Speed Delivery for the Ready Force and Enabling a More Cost-Effective Future Force - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The Need to Speed Delivery for the Ready Force and Enabling a More Cost-Effective Future Force, 1 June 2025 Link to...
Jun 14 min read


Air Power and the Challenge of Shaping an Effective Ready Force Which Can Deliver Deterrence by Denial - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Air Power and the Challenge of Shaping an Effective Ready Force Which Can Deliver Deterrence by Denial , 29 May 2025...
May 295 min read


Enhancing the Ready Force: Providing the Optimal Mix to Deliver the Desired Combat Effect - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Enhancing the Ready Force: Providing the Optimal Mix to Deliver the Desired Combat Effect, 28 May 2025 Link to article...
May 286 min read


Budgeting for an Enhanced Ready Force - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Budgeting for an Enhanced Ready Force, 27 May 2025 Link to article (Defense.info) If the strategic environment is...
May 275 min read


Enhancing Non-Kinetic Capabilities in the Ready Force - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Enhancing Non-Kinetic Capabilities in the Ready Force, 26 May 2025 Link to article (Defense.info) At the 22 May 2025 Sir...
May 267 min read


A Blueprint for Action for the USAF: How to Enhance Combat Readiness to Meet the Strategic Challenges Facing the U.S. and Its Allies - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, A Blueprint for Action for the USAF: How to Enhance Combat Readiness to Meet the Strategic Challenges Facing the U.S....
May 265 min read


Putting the Nature of the Military Capability Threat from the Multi-Polar Authoritarian World in Perspective - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Putting the Nature of the Military Capability Threat from the Multi-Polar Authoritarian World in Perspective, 25 May...
May 259 min read


Dr. Marcus Hellyer on Breaking the Autonomous Systems Defence Employment Barrier - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Dr. Marcus Hellyer on Breaking the Autonomous Systems Defence Employment Barrier, 24 May 2025 Link to article...
May 245 min read


Australia in Era of Strategic Uncertainty: The Defence Dimension - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Australia in Era of Strategic Uncertainty: The Defence Dimension, 23 May 2025 Link to article (Defense.info) Yesterday,...
May 233 min read


Air Power in an Age of Strategic Uncertainty: The Perspective of General Moseley - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Air Power in an Age of Strategic Uncertainty: The Perspective of General Moseley, 23 May 2025 Link to article...
May 237 min read


Enhancing the Ready Force: A Key Imperative for Australia in the Evolving Strategic Environment - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Enhancing the Ready Force: A Key Imperative for Australia in the Evolving Strategic Environment, 23 May 2025 Link to...
May 233 min read


Defence Industry in Australia: Building Strategic Depth and Resilience in Support of the Ready Force - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Defence Industry in Australia: Building Strategic Depth and Resilience in Support of the Ready Force, 7 October 2024...
Oct 6, 20247 min read


Enabling and Defending the National Information Society: The Space Dimension - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Enabling and Defending the National Information Society: The Space Dimension, 7 October 2024 Link to article...
Oct 6, 20245 min read


Shaping a Way Ahead for Airpower in a Contested Region: The Perspective of Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Shaping a Way Ahead for Airpower in a Contested Region: The Perspective of Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz, 7 October 2024...
Oct 6, 20244 min read


The Challenge of Shaping the Way Ahead for the Ready Force and Preparing for Future Threats - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The Challenge of Shaping the Way Ahead for the Ready Force and Preparing for Future Threats, 5 October 2024 Link to...
Oct 5, 20244 min read


How Does the Ready Force Deal with a Rapidly Changing Operational Environment? - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, How Does the Ready Force Deal with a Rapidly Changing Operational Environment? 4 October 2024 Link to article...
Oct 4, 20245 min read


The Chief of the Australian Army Explains How They are Dealing with the Simultaneous Challenges of the Three R’s - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The Chief of the Australian Army Explains How They are Dealing with the Simultaneous Challenges of the Three R’s, 3...
Oct 3, 20246 min read


Building Combat Mass: An Air Force Perspective - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Building Combat Mass: An Air Force Perspective, 2 October 2024 Link to article (Defense.info) The panel on combat mass...
Oct 2, 202411 min read


The Force in Being to Protect the Nation: It's More than the ADF’s Role - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The Force in Being to Protect the Nation: Its More than the ADF’s Role, 1 October 2024 Link to article (Defense.info)...
Oct 1, 202412 min read


Building Combat Mass: A Navy Perspective - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Building Combat Mass: A Navy Perspective, 30 September 2024 Link to article (Defense.info) When you are a medium-sized...
Sep 30, 20247 min read


The Challenge for Defence Readiness: The Impact of Politics - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The Challenge for Defence Readiness: The Impact of Politics, 29 September 2024 Link to article (Defense.info) If one is...
Sep 29, 20245 min read


The Perspective of Australia’s AUKUS Partners on Shaping the Way Ahead for Airpower - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The Perspective of Australia’s AUKUS Partners on Shaping the Way Ahead for Airpower , 28 September 2024 Link to article...
Sep 28, 20247 min read


The September 26, 2024 Sir Richard Williams Foundation Seminar: An Initial Take - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The September 26, 2024 Sir Richard Williams Foundation Seminar: An Initial Take, 27 September 2024 Link to article...
Sep 27, 20246 min read


Conference Proceedings: Enhancing and Accelerating the Integrated Force: An Operational Perspective
Dr Robbin Laird Final Report: Enhancing and Accelerating the Integrated Force: An Operational Perspective - will be released in October...
Sep 26, 20242 min read


Shaping a Way Ahead for Airpower in a Contested Region: The Perspective of Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Shaping a Way Ahead for Airpower in a Contested Region: The Perspective of Air Vice Marshal Glen Braz, 7 October 2024...
Sep 7, 20244 min read


Military personnel and bases left exposed to missile threats
The Foundation’s Chair, Air Marshal (Retd) Geoff Brown AO, who is also the former Chief of Air Force, was quoted in the public media this...
Jul 26, 20241 min read


Conference Proceedings: The Multi-Domain Requirements of an Australian Maritime Strategy
Dr Robbin Laird Final Report: The Multi-Domain Requirements of an Australian Maritime Strategy 11 April 2024 More articles from Dr Laird...
May 17, 20242 min read


The Strategic Shift in Australian Defence Requires a Shift in the Approach for Australian Defence Industry - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, The Strategic Shift in Australian Defence Requires a Shift in the Approach for Australian Defence Industry, 16 May 2024...
May 16, 20246 min read


A Focused Force: Autonomous Systems and a Distributed ISR Enterprise - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, A Focused Force: Autonomous Systems and a Distributed ISR Enterprise, 14 May 2024 Link to article (Defense.info) As the...
May 14, 20243 min read


Australia’s New Defence Strategy: Reshaping the ADF into a Focused Force - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Australia’s New Defence Strategy: Reshaping the ADF into a Focused Force, 9 May 2024 Link to article (Defense.info) The...
May 9, 20244 min read


Layered ISR and a Focused Force - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Layered ISR and a Focused Force, 9 May 2024 Link to article (Defense.info) If you want to shape an effective focused...
May 9, 20249 min read


Shaping C2 for the ADF and Coalition Forces: The Perspective of Air Vice Marshal Mike Kitcher - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Shaping C2 for the ADF and Coalition Forces: The Perspective of Air Vice Marshal Mike Kitcher, 7 May 2024 Link to...
May 7, 20244 min read


RPAs, Autonomous Systems and How to Strengthen the ADF in the Next 3-5 Years - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, RPAs, Autonomous Systems and How to Strengthen the ADF in the Next 3-5 Years, 6 May 2024 Link to article (Defense.info)...
May 6, 20246 min read


Cognitive and Information War and the “Gray Zone” - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Cognitive and Information War and the “Gray Zone”, 5 May 2024 Link to article (Defense.info) An aspect of modern...
May 5, 20248 min read


How to Enhance Space’s Contribution to Australian Multi-Domain Operations in Support of Maritime Operations - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, How to Enhance Space’s Contribution to Australian Multi-Domain Operations in Support of Maritime Operations, 4 May 2024...
May 4, 20244 min read


How to Build a Focused Force for Australia’s Extant Strategic Environment? - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, How to Build a Focused Force for Australia’s Extant Strategic Environment?, 2 May 2024 Link to article (Defense.info)...
May 2, 20244 min read


Logistics and Sustainment for an Evolving Defence of Australia Strategy - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Logistics and Sustainment for an Evolving Defence of Australia Strategy, 30 April 2024 Link to article (Defense.info)...
Apr 30, 20245 min read


Multi-Domain Operations in Australia’s Maritime Strategy: The Army, Navy, and Air Force Orient Their Efforts - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Multi-Domain Operations in Australia’s Maritime Strategy: The Army, Navy, and Air Force Orient Their Efforts, 29 April...
Apr 29, 202415 min read


Aligning Airpower Capabilities with Australia’s Maritime Strategy - Dr Robbin Laird
Dr Robbin Laird, Aligning Airpower Capabilities with Australia’s Maritime Strategy, 26 April 2024 Link to article (Defense.info) At the...
Apr 26, 20247 min read
bottom of page