Australia’s inaugural National Defence Strategy aims to deter and prevent conflict through changes within the Australian Defence Force, an approach called “Strategy of Denial.”
Under the NDS, the ADF will move away from a domain-centric approach and transition to an integrated force focused on addressing the greatest risks facing the country.
According to Gen. Angus Campbell, chief of the defense force, the transition will involve implementing role changes, ensuring the growth and retention of highly skilled personnel, and building capacity in Australia’s five operational domains: cyber and electromagnetic, space, air, land and maritime.
The NDS was released along with the 2024 Integrated Investment Program, which provides the ADF with guidance for acquisition and force improvement.
The IIP indicated that the shift to an integrated, focused force requires enhancing the capacity to deter threats, including by acquiring conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines through AUKUS, investing in long-range strike capabilities, and increasing the lethality of the Australian Navy’s surface combatant fleet.
Australia will boost its acquisition of critical capabilities between 2026 and 2030, following efforts to improve its current forces to ensure the ADF is fit to operate in all domains by 2031.