Australian Defence Force

ADF STRUCTURE

The ADF is composed of three military services and several joint operational groups that enable integrated, modern defence capability.

 

1. Australian Defence Force Headquarters (ADFHQ)

ADFHQ provides strategic leadership, planning, and coordination across the entire Defence Force. It ensures the services operate cohesively and are aligned with national security objectives.

 

2. Joint Capabilities Group (JCG)

The JCG delivers essential cross‑service capabilities, including:

  • Cyber operations

  • Intelligence

  • Health services

  • Logistics

  • Education and training

  • Space operations

This group ensures the ADF can operate effectively across all domains.

 

3. Joint Operations Command (JOC)

JOC is responsible for planning, controlling, and executing ADF operations. This includes:

  • Domestic disaster response

  • Border protection

  • International peacekeeping

  • Regional security missions

  • Global coalition operations

JOC ensures Australia can respond rapidly and effectively to emerging threats.

Services

We offer a range of specialized services tailored to meet your individual needs. Our approach is focused on understanding and responding to what you require, providing effective and practical solutions.

DSTG — STRENGTHS

Core Strengths

  • World‑class scientific expertise across multiple disciplines

  • Strong partnerships with universities and global defence research agencies

  • Deep experience in operational analysis and modelling

  • High credibility within Defence decision‑making

  • Ability to innovate rapidly in crisis situations

Sovereign Strengths

  • Unique understanding of Australia’s strategic environment

  • Strong cyber and electronic warfare research capability

  • Growing space‑domain awareness expertise

 

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY (RAN) — Weaknesses

  • Long shipbuilding timelines create capability gaps and reliance on interim solutions.

  • Submarine workforce shortages limit operational availability.

  • Maintenance backlogs reduce fleet readiness and deployment flexibility.

  • Dependence on foreign supply chains for critical maritime systems and components.

  • Aging vessels in certain classes require replacement or major upgrades.

  • Challenges sustaining presence across the vast Indo‑Pacific region.

 

  • Threats

    • Rising strategic competition in the Indo‑Pacific maritime environment.

    • Vulnerability of global supply chains for critical naval components.

    • Increasing cyber threats targeting naval platforms and networks.

    • Expanding grey‑zone activities in regional waters.

    • Climate‑driven disruptions affecting ports, bases, and maritime routes.

Opportunities

  • Expansion of sovereign shipbuilding and maintenance infrastructure.

  • Adoption of unmanned surface and underwater vehicles.

  • Strengthening maritime partnerships with Pacific and Southeast Asian nations.

  • Modernisation of submarine and surface fleets.

  • Increased maritime domain awareness through space‑based and autonomous systems.

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ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY — Improvement Plan

A. Accelerate Fleet Modernisation

  • Fast‑track new surface vessels and submarine programs.

  • Retire ageing platforms earlier to reduce maintenance burden.

  • Expand maritime aviation to improve surveillance and reach.

B. Fix Workforce Shortages

  • Priority recruitment for submarine and technical trades.

  • Introduce retention bonuses for critical roles.

  • Expand training pipelines and partnerships with TAFEs/universities.

C. Strengthen Maritime Sustainment

  • Expand sovereign shipbuilding capacity in WA, SA, and NSW.

  • Increase domestic production of spare parts and components.

  • Improve maintenance scheduling to reduce fleet downtime.

D. Enhance Indo‑Pacific Presence

  • Increase rotational deployments to the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

  • Expand joint exercises with allies to improve interoperability.

  • Strengthen maritime domain awareness through autonomous systems.

AUSTRALIAN ARMY

Strengths

  • Highly adaptable land force with strong experience in humanitarian and disaster response.

  • Skilled engineering, logistics, and mobility capabilities across diverse environments.

  • Strong interoperability with allies and regional partners.

  • Deep institutional knowledge from decades of domestic and international operations.

  • Flexible force structure capable of scaling for different mission types.

Opportunities

  • Modernisation of armoured vehicles, drones, and land‑combat systems.

  • Expansion of northern bases to improve rapid response capability.

  • Increased use of autonomous ground systems and robotics.

  • Strengthening partnerships with Indo‑Pacific militaries.

  • Enhanced training programs to attract specialised technical talent.

Threats

  • Rapid technological advancements by potential adversaries in land warfare.

  • Increasing frequency of natural disasters requiring domestic deployment.

  • Cyber threats targeting command, control, and logistics systems.

  • Geopolitical instability in the Indo‑Pacific region.

  • Global competition for skilled personnel in engineering and technical fields.

AUSTRALIAN ARMY — Improvement Plan

A. Modernise Land Capability

  • Replace ageing vehicles with modern armoured and protected mobility fleets.

  • Expand drone, robotics, and autonomous ground systems.

  • Upgrade soldier systems (communications, sensors, protective gear).

B. Strengthen Rapid Deployment

  • Expand northern bases to reduce travel time to key regions.

  • Improve pre‑positioned equipment and logistics hubs.

  • Increase air‑lift integration with the RAAF for faster movement.

C. Workforce Renewal

  • Targeted recruitment for engineers, medics, signals, and cyber roles.

  • Expand flexible service pathways to retain experienced personnel.

  • Improve family support and housing to reduce attrition.

D. Logistics & Sustainment Reform

  • Modernise supply chain systems with real‑time tracking.

  • Increase sovereign manufacturing of critical land‑combat components.

  • Strengthen partnerships with industry for rapid repair and sustainment.

 

ROYAL AUSTRALIAN AIR FORCE — Improvement Plan

A. Expand Air & Space Capability

  • Increase investment in sovereign satellite systems.

  • Integrate autonomous aircraft and advanced sensors.

  • Modernise airbases to support next‑generation aircraft.

B. Strengthen Workforce & Training

  • Expand pilot and technician training capacity.

  • Improve retention through career progression and family support.

  • Grow cyber, electronic warfare, and space‑operations roles.

C. Improve Supply Chain Resilience

  • Increase domestic sustainment of aircraft components.

  • Diversify international suppliers to reduce dependency.

  • Build sovereign capability for critical avionics and software.

D. Boost Operational Resilience

  • Harden runways and bases against natural disasters.

  • Improve redundancy in fuel, power, and communications systems.

  • Expand rapid‑response air mobility for humanitarian and regional missions.

REFORM AND CHANGE

The ADF to act as a general construction workforce

The ADF is currently not permitted to play these roles but can in the future if we have reform:

  • Replace civilian construction companies

  • Take over state or local government infrastructure projects

  • Build commercial or private infrastructure

  • Compete in the open market for construction contracts

This protects:

  • The civilian economy

  • Private industry

  • State and territory responsibilities

  • Separation between military and civil governance

these above ideas will help build Australia if we change legislation

 

 

WHOLE‑OF‑ADF REFORM ACTIONS

A. Integrated Joint Operations

  • Improve interoperability across Army, Navy, and Air Force.

  • Expand joint training, planning, and command systems.

  • Strengthen Joint Operations Command with modern digital tools.

B. Cyber & Information Warfare

  • Expand cyber defence teams across all services.

  • Strengthen secure communications and intelligence networks.

  • Increase investment in electronic warfare and counter‑EW systems.

C. Sovereign Defence Industry

  • Grow Australian manufacturing for vehicles, ships, aircraft parts, and munitions.

  • Support SMEs through procurement reform and long‑term contracts.

  • Build sovereign capability in space, cyber, and advanced materials.

D. Infrastructure & Estate Renewal

  • Modernise bases, ports, airfields, and training areas.

  • Improve sustainability and climate resilience.

  • Expand northern infrastructure for rapid Indo‑Pacific response.

 

5. THE OUTCOME — A Stronger, Modern, Unified ADF

This plan delivers:

  • A modernised, agile Army

  • A capable, well‑sustained Navy

  • A technologically advanced, resilient Air Force

  • A unified Defence Force ready for the Indo‑Pacific era

ADF BUILD AUSTRALIAN CIVIL INFRASTRUCTURE?

✔️ YES — but only under limited, controlled conditions

The Australian Defence Force can contribute to civil infrastructure, but it is not a primary builder like private industry or public works departments. Its involvement is allowed when:

1. The project directly supports national security

Examples:

  • Defence bases

  • Strategic fuel reserves

  • Northern infrastructure supporting ADF mobility

  • Communications, radar, or surveillance installations

2. Civilian capacity is unavailable or overwhelmed

This is usually during emergencies or remote‑area operations:

  • Rebuilding bridges after floods

  • Restoring access roads after bushfires

  • Constructing temporary shelters or field hospitals

  • Engineering support in remote Indigenous communities

3. The Commonwealth formally requests ADF assistance

ADF engineers can be deployed under:

  • Defence Assistance to the Civil Community (DACC)

  • Defence Assistance to the Civil Authority (DACA)

These frameworks ensure the ADF does not compete with civilian industry.