Lloyd Hewitt

https://lnkd.in/g8m5mfqJ A lot of staff work went into D-Day or Operation Neptune. While I'm not sure if weather intelligence necessarily led to saving "half a million lives", the Allies arguably had a better met service. Besides advising Eishenhower to avoid 5th June, the Allied met service also forecasted that the weather would lift on 6th June. And if the landings didn't go ahead on the 6th, the Allies would have to wait a few weeks for ideal tide conditions to return.On the other hand, the German met service forecasted bad weather on 6th June, leading to some level of complacency. Weather forecasting has improved a lot since WW2 with satellite imagery, better radars and machine learning. But the weather forecast for Singapore seems stuck at hot, humid with a chance of thunderstorms ⛈️.

2

Spending on subs only muddies troubled waters for Defence | Marcus Hellyer A good summary of the National Defence Strategy by Marcus Hellyer Although I do find much to like in the NDS. Including the fact that for the first time since the 2016 whitepaper there is new money. There are some curious parts. The characterisation of strategic competition highlighted in the below is one. https://lnkd.in/gEeGSXVV

4

1 Comment

Interesting short read from RAND - the immediate need that jumps out at me that is highly relevant for the Australian Army in particular is Air & Missile Defence. An Estonian government report assesses that Ukraine needs 4,800 anti-air missiles are needed annually. Meeting that number would require the entire annual production of anti-air missiles from the United States (3,600) and the remaining NATO production (estimated at 1,000). There is already a long line for NASAMS and resupply will be tight. Unless you’ve got sovereign capability you are one of many in the free world in the queue.

19

1 Comment

I've always impressed upon my staff to send routine reports and returns (and other 'asks') back to HHQ quickly and accurately. On many occasions this resulted in higher giving our unit the benefit of the doubt in other areas as they knew we put the time and effort in where other units provided the bare minimum while not providing an accurate picture. We bent over backwards for routine matters and filled every request we could, and when we legitimately said 'no' we backed it up with hard data and the impact it would have to the Unit and Brigade. It's not only knowing when to say no, it's about setting the conditions first so that you have the reputation to be believable, and then providing hard evidence. #ftgnotebook #leaderdevelopment #leadershipdevelopment https://lnkd.in/dGW7kYxN

1

🚨Have you delivered innovation in #robot #trust, #safety and/or #ethics in the last five years? Then the Robotics Roadmap for Australia would like to hear about it for their Trust, Safety and Ethics Chapter. Roadmap 2025 can showcase your leadership in building trust, inclusion and responsible development and use of robotics technologies. Submit your Case Study (< 400 words + 1-2 pictures with captions) 👉 https://lnkd.in/g2qiNe5q. — National Robotics Strategy 2024 Goal: #Robotics and #automation technologies designed and adopted in Australia are safe to use alongside Australian workers, and are secure and inclusive by design. ⚖️Ensure #regulatory and #legal frameworks enabling and applying to automation technologies are fit for purpose. 🦾Better understand and address the #social #impacts of robotics and automation in #critical #industries. ✅Promote Australia’s engagement in relevant bodies for setting international #standards. 🔒Improve safety and #cyber security of robotics and automation technologies. https://lnkd.in/gX3ARukt — Sue Keay 🇦🇺 Nicci Rossouw Melanie Olsen Dr Rachel Horne Dr Zena Assaad Tara Roberson Ellen Broad Tom Putland Terrence Martin (PhD) Keirin Joyce Tristan Perez, PhD Australian Army Australian Droid + Robot Clinton Fookes Robin Smith OBE CSC Adam J. Hepworth, PhD Ben Sorensen Michael Milford Greg Tyrrell

25

3 Comments

Thank you all for the support this initiative has received. We are close to a 1 in 3 response rate which will mean we have a case for change and an informed one at that. Note the deadline for the close out of the survey is now 20 May. Let’s run through the finish line on this. Please see additional information on our focus and aims. Reserve engagement is a key way through which to engage with society and also build better resonance and relevance with NZ society. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) relies on its Reserve Force personnel to augment its capabilities. Over the years, understanding the Reserves' potential has become increasingly important, especially amid a decline in uniformed staff. To address this, the Interim Workforce Plan prioritizes recruiting, retaining, and re-enlisting personnel. Central to this effort is recognizing the Reserves' diverse skills and experiences, aligning with contemporary needs. To enhance Reserve engagement, the NZDF is undertaking integrated projects to grasp Reservists' current skills and anticipate future requirements. Learning from Australia's experience, NZDF aims to improve interoperability and streamline Reservists' integration and deployment alongside Regular Forces. One key aspect is adapting Australia's Service Category Framework (SERCATs) to ensure the right skills are matched with the right positions, regardless of service type. Understanding Reservists' experiences is crucial for designing effective policies and supporting their career journeys. By mapping Reservists' paths and identifying obstacles to integration, NZDF seeks to create a more seamless and supportive environment. This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the Interim Workforce Plan, focusing on retaining and engaging key elements of NZDF's workforce, particularly the Reserve Forces. Ultimately, this comprehensive approach aims to optimize the Reserve Forces' contribution to NZDF's mission while offering meaningful and fulfilling service opportunities for Reservists. By recognizing their skills, addressing challenges, and aligning with international best practices, NZDF is positioning itself for a stronger and more adaptable future workforce. HAVE YOUR SAY HERE https://lnkd.in/gfTDirkf • The survey is open now until EOD 20 May. • Participation is voluntary and confidential. • This should take approximately 45 mins. • If you wish to claim for your time completing this survey, contact your unit administrator to claim up to 1 hour of your time. • If you have any questions contact reserves@nzdf.mil.nz #NZDFReserves #StrategicEngagement #FutureReady #CollectiveStrength #ReservistInsight #SFIAFramework #AotearoaDefence #ShapeOurFuture

72

8 Comments

This issue of the Army Journal is important - and I encourage you to read this article by Hannah in particular. It is good to see that some of issues considered in my 2020 paper have received detailed consideration: https://lnkd.in/eCkZkuk

25

2 Comments

My thoughts on yesterday’s #NDS24 announcements in the The Australian Financial Review 👇 ‘the NDS achieves the defence and strategy elements of what it says on the tin, but there are three fundamental issues at the national level’ 1️⃣’we must go beyond a defence strategy, and move towards a national security strategy’. 2️⃣ ‘The National Defence Strategy also avoids the use of the term mobilisation. Confining the issue of preparedness, to purely a military sense’. 3️⃣’The third and perhaps most stark issue with the National Defence Strategy and its associated integrated investment program is the period of risk from now until the late 2020s to early 2030s’ ANU National Security College UNSW Canberra https://lnkd.in/gJ2c2TwT

33

4 Comments

Great to see loitering munitions will soon be added to the Australian Army's arsenal - a logical step given the evolution of tactics being seen in the modern battlefield. War stocks are great but the more local manufacturing Defence can enable the better. Even if we are establishing skeleton factories for the consumables of combat, we need to expand the sovereign Defence Industrial base. #readynow #futureready #futurewar #defenceindustry

40

12 Comments

Massive team effort to analyse the budget and match its commitments to the policy statements and strategic documents released by the government. The DSR and the NDS were a clarion call. The budget simply doesn’t deliver enough in the short term which is a vulnerability in Australia’s deterrence and warfighting capability. Nor in our analysis is enough done in these near years to invest in the innovation and industrial base that can deliver and sustain ADF capability locally or as part of trusted supply chains for the long term. We welcome the 5.7 billion over the forward estimates to defence, and acknowledge the government has many priorities to fund. This goes to three core investment lines - AUKUS subs (UK and US industrial uplift), the beginning of the investment into the Naval Surface Fleet recapitalisation, and over the years and many projects lines, the left over 1bn for all other priorities. Still savings to be found by Defence too if we are to balance the books on new money versus required over the decade. A genuine and well intended slow build is evident in the budget. But does this fit our strategic circumstances and have the ADF as ready as it can be? As many experienced personnel have said before me ‘you go to war with the forces you have, not the forces you intend to have or wish you had’. We are not looking for conflict, but any glance around the world will tell you we are in very unstable times. And to be clear, the state of our current ADF is the result of decades of promises, unfulfilled commitments, program cancellations and changes in policy direction. And a chronic lack of sustained investment. All the decisions of governments past and present are manifesting as risk for defence now. It’s a matter of rhetoric meeting reality.

60

3 Comments

Is Vladimir Putin getting ready for a nuclear war? | An important piece by one of the statesman of Australian strategic thinking and a friend, Paul Dibb. ‘So, what does this pessimistic outlook imply for Australia? We are not a nuclear weapons power and we are not a party principal to military events that arise in Europe. However, the use of nuclear weapons for the first time since 1945 would have global implications, including for Australia. We do have (limited) access to US nuclear doctrine and we must encourage our US ally to make it absolutely clear to Putin that there is no such war-fighting option available to him as a “limited nuclear war”’. https://lnkd.in/gUKdv6Yt

5

2 Comments

Looking forward to speaking at SWP Conference 2024 Austin on 11 June. I'm speaking about "Challenges and Opportunities of a Centralised SWP Process" with specific focus on mitigating workforce risk. If you can join me, you can get a 20% discount when you register using the code PWA20 pawld.com/lh0 Let me know in the comments if I'll see you there! #SWPconference #peopleanalytics

26

3 Comments

The denial strategy in the new Australian National Defence Strategy is not as new as the government claims, but does come with welcome capability investments. Challenges remain, however, as I explore in my latest article for the Lowy Institute https://lnkd.in/gBspFzEE

62

5 Comments

Military ‘exposed to missile threats’ The Australian’s Ben Packham I’d take this a step further & say the Australian public is exposed. Not only is deployable integrated air & missile defence capability an issue, as is protection of bases but so is protection of key civilian infrastructure. Whilst it must be acknowledged that some of these projects would be classified, the Integrated Investment Program associated with the National Defence Strategy release appeared to reduce IAMD funding. This is another example of pressure on the IIP. Greater investment is needed. 5.7B over the Forward Estimates given the potential threat is not enough. It is however incorrect to say that 38% of the Defence budget is for nuclear-powered submarines. 38% of the IIP (a subset of the budget) is apportioned to the maritime domain (which includes all capabilities for the maritime domain). Extra money has actually been given for AUKUS Pillar 1. Military ‘exposed to missile threats’ https://lnkd.in/gncthqEy

18

6 Comments

It's an admission of failure, and a result of weak and soft leadership Rather than recruit foreigners into the ADF PM Albanese ought to be addressing the root causes of why people are leaving, and not joining Did MINDEF Richard Marles consult with the ADF? Erin Molan and I discuss why this is and suggestions to fix https://lnkd.in/gak5AiYg

10

1 Comment

Does your organisation make bad decisions? Why? There is a simple process that can stop stagnation, duplication and generally bad business strategy - it is called the OODA Loop. Military strategy turned business tool - read about it. Bad decision-makers, illogical decision-making, wasteful meetings, poor middle management - I can help. Military business strategy is an email away. https://lnkd.in/e5dWZ3ng

13

1 Comment