Drones are now an integral part of defence force capability, from intelligence gathering to unmanned theatre engagement. But what happens if our own technology is turned against us?
About 5.6% of Australian defence veterans could end up homeless.
Flickr/Michael Dawes
Deborah Morris, Griffith University e Ben Wadham, Flinders University
A recent study found that male veterans under 30 have a suicide rate more than two times the national average. Yet, support for a royal commission into the problem is lacking.
China has always had a formidable army, but only since 1996 has it begun to develop as a maritime power.
Wu Hong/EPA
China’s naval strategy has been to prevent America from ever projecting its power by sea in the Asia-Pacific region again. Now that it’s worked, the region needs to take notice.
China’s rising influence in the region has alarmed many defence experts. But the question remains: would Australia ever need to fight China on its own?
Joel Carrett/AAP
An analysis of obituaries for Islamic State and Australian soldiers shows some alarming similarities, not the least of which is the idea that their deaths should be given meaning by further conflict.
Fairfax Media has published detailed accounts of the claims made against Roberts-Smith, which he denies.
Tracey Nearmy/AAP
Roberts-Smith, now out of the military, is under investigation by the IG of the ADF as part of an inquiry into allegations of criminal misconduct on the battlefield by the SAS in Afghanistan.
Australian special forces are under investigation for alleged illegal conduct during the Afghanistan war.
Australian Department of Defence
Australia faces many security issues driven by climate change, including more international migration and an increase in defence personnel being sent on disaster relief missions, a Senate inquiry has found.
The incoming head of the Australian Defence Force, Lt-Gen Angus Campbell (left), understands the importance of Australia’s relations with its nearest neighbours.
AAP/Andrew Taylor
The incoming Chief of the Defence Force, Angus Campbell, will need to focus his attentions on an array of conventional and non-conventional security concerns in the Indo-Pacific.
Australian military personnel during a counter-terrorism training exercise in 2014.
Dave Hunt/AAP
While lesbian women were technically banned from serving in the Australia Defence Force until 1992, many before then found that military life was a place to express their love and desire for the first time.
Since 2013, the ADF has permitted members to march in uniform in Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
Daniel Munoz/Reuters
Now, the service chiefs argue that LGBTI inclusion expands the force’s diversity, bringing different life experiences, and thus increase the ADF’s capabilities.
Greg Moriarty, Australia’s new defence department secretary, replaces the recently retired Dennis Richardson.
Lukas Coch/AAP
The effectiveness of the changes to the ADF’s role in counter-terrorism operations will depend heavily on the willingness of state police to accept military advice and assistance.
The Defence Act will be strengthened to enable defence personnel to play a bigger role in counter-terrorism.
David Mariuz/AAP
The changes are designed to assist in preparing for incidents, enabling a more comprehensive ADF response if needed, and improving the flow of information between the ADF and police.
An anonymous veteran described the Australian special forces’ culture as competitive, lacking in accountability, and focused on self-glorification.
AAP
We need to acknowledge that ‘band of brothers’ military culture has a dark underbelly – and that individual acts of atrocity might be a reflection of broader, systemic issues.