Adapt to Triumph: Australian Army Chief’s Victory Strategy

The Australian Army, under Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, is undergoing a bold transformation to become a littoral fighting force by 2030. This shift, highlighted during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, focuses on precision-strike capabilities and agile deployments to counter modern threats in the Indo-Pacific. Critics, however, question the Albanese government’s capacity to deliver such an ambitious overhaul.

Speaking at the Chief of Army Symposium, Lieutenant General Stuart said, “War is a contest of who adapts fastest,” underscoring the urgency of reform in the face of shifting regional dynamics. The Army’s restructuring, outlined in the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, places emphasis on littoral manoeuvre—operations conducted along coastlines, rivers and island chains.

Talisman Sabre includes the first Australian firing of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), conducted alongside U.S. and Singaporean forces at Shoalwater Bay in Queensland on 14 July. “This demonstrates our ability to fight and win as part of the Australian Defence Force’s integrated team,” Stuart noted.

The Army is reconfiguring its major combat units to meet evolving regional challenges. The 1st Brigade in Darwin will be tailored for light, rapid deployments. The 3rd Brigade in Townsville will focus on armoured amphibious operations. A newly established 10th Brigade, based in Adelaide, will house long-range strike capabilities, including HIMARS and Precision Strike Missiles. These changes reflect the strategic pivot toward greater regional deterrence, particularly amid rising tensions in the South China Sea.

The Opposition has criticised Labor’s $19 billion investment in the transformation, arguing it prioritises untested technology over traditional capabilities like infantry vehicles. Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie told Sky News on 13 July 2025, “We need a clear strategy, not just flashy exercises.” Others have questioned whether the government’s focus on humanitarian and disaster response missions could undermine military readiness.

Stuart’s vision also includes building a culture based on ethical decision-making and public trust. At the 2024 Land Forces Symposium, he reiterated that “trust is the foundation of our profession.” With approximately 43,500 personnel across 157 bases, the Army is integrating advanced technology such as unmanned aerial vehicles and secure communications while maintaining a strong focus on professional development.

As Talisman Sabre 2025 continues, involving over 35,000 troops from 19 nations, Australia’s evolving defence strategy is on display. Through a combination of cutting-edge capability and international collaboration, the Army aims to remain ready, adaptable and credible in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific region.