Joint Operations for the 21st Century
Abstract
Our purpose is very clear: we are responsible to the Government of Australia for the protection of Australia, our people and our national interests, whenever and wherever those interests lie. In undertaking this mission the Australian Defence Force (ADF) enabled by the Defence Organisation might act independently, or it might contribute to a broader effort of other Australian or international civilian agencies or military forces. The 21st century promises a future whose shape is uncertain, and whose security and prosperity are challenged by dangers both seen and unseen. We must understand those dangers, and develop concepts and strategies to meet them, if we are to build on our successes today and position ourselves for ongoing success tomorrow. The first few years of the 21st century have demonstrated that dangers can take many forms. Some dangers are traditional, and relate to state-on-state tensions over territory, resources or the balance and distribution of power. Some are old challenges in new guises, such as the emergence of new terrorist groups and pandemic diseases. Some challenges are entirely new, such as climate change and the impacts of global demography. And some are natural dangers, such as cyclones, earthquakes and tsunamis, to name just a few. Whatever form the dangers take, the uncertainty of the future operating environment requires us to constantly challenge the orthodoxy, to innovate to solve old and new challenges, and to espouse and debate a new vision for the role of the ADF in the 21st century.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA494534
Entities
Organizations
- Department of Defence