Fight Tonight

What does the ADF need now to fight the war that might come earlier than expected? Ian Langford provides some answers.

In Defence Technology Review‘s Cover Story, Dr Ian Langford, Security & Defence PLuS Executive Director, argues that Australia’s defence planning must shift urgently from building a 2030+ ‘future force’ to preparing for a potential conflict within the next 12 to 18 months.

He outlines four interlocking imperatives for immediate investment: layered air defence, stealth enablers, asymmetric strike options and alliance integration. Langford stresses the need to rapidly procure capabilities that can be integrated quickly, enhance survivability in contested environments, and exploit asymmetric advantages.

“Under such compressed timelines, traditional acquisition pipelines – spanning years and in some cases more than a decade – become untenable.

Immediate priorities include expanding NASAMS coverage across northern Australia, acquiring swarming drones and land-based missile systems, accelerating cyber and electronic warfare tools, and deepening operational cooperation with US and Japanese forces.

“Reallocation of defence budgets to fund fight-tonight capabilities will require political resolve and public support. Parliamentary oversight must be balanced against urgency, while industry guidance and orders on priority platforms and production ramp-ups must be issued swiftly.”

Read the full article in Defence Technology Review or access the PDF: Fight Tonight.