The ADF currently lacks the tradition, culture and organisational expertise to maintain and deploy a world class amphibious warfare capability. The current command and control (C2) structures don’t adequately address the high degree of specialisation needed to meet the likely demands of Australia’s emerging amphibious warfare capability.

One of the main reasons that countries with a genuine amphibious warfare capability have developed specialised C2 units is because of the inherent complexities in the planning and execution of ship-to-objective manoeuvre operations. In most cases, militaries have found that it’s desirable to have a standing C2 organisation for the amphibious taskforce as well as a standing landing force C2 element.

While the ADF has a designated Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF) and staff, the Army currently plans to rely on the commander of 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) and his staff to both raise, train and sustain key elements of the ground combat element (GCE) and to serve as Commander of the Landing Force (CLF). The commander and staff of 2RAR are likely (if they are not already) to experience task overload, especially in the more complex missions that involve an amphibious ready group.

In addition currently the CATF is an O6 (Navy Captain), and the commander of 2RAR is an O5 (Army Lieutenant Colonel). Amphibious Warfare is complex and as such requires a permanent headquarters element that has the command authority over the elements assigned to support amphibious operations. In order to create clear and structured C2 the Chief of Defence and the service chiefs should establish a permanent land component headquarter element for amphibious warfare that is under the control of the Joint Staffed Amphibious Task Group (ATG).

The headquarter elements will be required to coordinate multi-service force-generation cycles, lead strategic shaping (engagement) operations, and be prepared for both crisis response and major contingency operations. The ATG and its component CLF and CATF command elements will be force employers, and the services should take on their proper roles as amphibious force generators, tasked with raising, training and sustaining the elements that will be assigned to the ATG.

In order to achieve these measures this new joint structure would establish a permanent command and control architecture with a joint staff-enabled Commander of the ATG with permanent component staffs. This will provide valuable continuity and the expertise needed to manage complex amphibious operations.

C2 however is but one key area that the ADF needs to evolve to ensure a world-class amphibious warfare capability. Some impressive work has been done over recent years to facilitate institutional and cultural change including; the embedding of US Marine Corps and Royal Marines officers into the ADF, lateral transfers from the Royal Marines and Royal Navy, and spending millions of dollars on sending ADF personnel to study US amphibious warfare. But there is a still a long way to go to equip the force with the necessary skills and culture for this capability to thrive.

In order to evolve the capability, the ADF must now move beyond temporary structures and foreign training. It should establish the means to imbed amphibious knowledge and skills across the force by bringing together expertise to enable the development and sustainment of the capability.

We firmly believe that the ADF needs to invest in the development of a joint Amphibious Centre of Excellence (ACE), which would provide a core of amphibious experts from across the services to deliver training and education courses in both the single service and joint environments.

It could deliver programs in individual training in areas from landing/assault craft and beach recovery to amphibious planning, ship to objective manoeuvre operations, logistics, joint fires and airspace management. It would also develop and deliver courses for the various units and headquarters across the Army, Navy and Air Force. Ultimately the ACE would become the hub for the intellectual and cultural development of an amphibious warfare capability.

The creation of an ACE will embed expertise within the ADF, draw together the various threads of amphibious knowledge and expertise, and bring training and education together in a joint environment, firmly based on Australian doctrine and tactics, techniques and procedures—as opposed to those from overseas military forces. Furthermore, the ACE would enhance opportunities for amphibious specialists from all three services for postings and career advancement.

The ACE should also aim to be a regional as well as national centre of excellence. It could play an important role in building partner capacity through participation in the Defence Cooperation Program and having overseas military students on select courses and programs.

By cementing C2 structures and developing the ACE, Australia would be able to grow the culture and organisational expertise necessary for a world class amphibious capability. 

The ADF has developed a detailed, integrated and truly joint plan to develop and validate an impressive amphibious warfare capability by mid-2017 as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre. However this powerful joint force element will only be a proof of concept. It won’t yet be a sustainable on-call capability or ‘ready’ force.

Indeed, the ADF has yet to approve any conceptual plans for the sustainment of a joint amphibious warfare capability past 2017. It has yet to determine requirements for the joint readiness levels, the integrated joint force generation plan or even the mission expectations for the joint amphibious force. Significant capability gaps and shortfalls have been identified and require solutions.

There are only a few months left until the scheduled release of the Defence White Paper. This is an opportunity for the Australian government to clarify the expectations of Australia’s post 2017 amphibious force.

The strategic outlook for our primary operating environment means that we require the ability to conduct independent operations, operate in ‘uncertain’ environments against non-peer military forces and irregular threats as part of a larger coalition, and to conduct regional engagement.

The ADF’s amphibious capability needs to be a robust, scalable force that’s able to mobilise quickly; This would give the ADF the ability to act decisively in a crisis. Thus it’s essential for the forthcoming Defence White Paper and Force Structure Review to emphasise the importance of joint warfare.

In preparation for 2017, the ADF has established a network of players that have been coordinating the development of amphibious warfare capability. The organisations and committees involved have been characterised by some as ‘non-permanent’ or ‘temporary’. While the work has been impressive, the committees and working groups are highly reliant on consensus and most realise that this structure will have to evolve.

The Deployable Joint Force Headquarters concept of employment for the ADF’s amphibious capability has identified 19 capability gaps and shortfalls, most of which revolve around the integration of service systems and the procurement of major systems and equipment unique to amphibious operations.

Some of these capabilities shortfalls are being addressed but many are not. For example there is currently no planned procurement of an unmanned aerial system, which is a critical need for the effectiveness of Australia’s amphibious capability. The intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) gained would be delivered to all services but no single service has taken responsibility for capability provision. The unmanned aerial system would require aerial platforms supplied by the RAAF, a RAN vessel for launch, and will be used for operational and tactical ISR for both Navy and Army. There is no clearly identified capability manager.

Currently the Chief of the Navy is the lead Capability Manager (in coordination with the Chief of the Army) but in reality decisions are dependent on a hierarchical committee system that relies heavily on consensus. This system is cumbersome and complicated for generating needs statements and capability solutions.

Until such a time as a direct joint capabilities manager is identified, the conflicting needs of the services will work against any clear definition of the ADF’s amphibious requirements.  This is evident in the lack of consideration of amphibious warfare needs in current services procurement plans, notably LAND 400.

In order to ensure that the ADF joint amphibious force is relevant, sustainable and suitable for the operations discussed above, the Defence Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Force should establish a permanent and empowered joint capability management system responsible for amphibious capability.

A truly integrated joint system will force the services to cooperate and come to agreements on how to fill or mitigate amphibious capability gaps. A joint capability manager would also define the user needs and coordinate submissions to government on future procurements.

The First Principles Review contains recommendations that may alleviate  friction in the current system and streamline joint capabilities integration. But the effectiveness of these recommendations will depend on the legislated authority of the Chief of the Defence Force and Vice-Chief of the Defence Force to direct and manage the development of  the ADF’s amphibious warfare capability.

The Beat

AML/CTF laws a safe bet

Australia’s financial intelligence agency Austrac has taken legal action against betting giant Tabcorp for noncompliance of anti-money laundering and counterterrorism financing laws. Austrac describes non-compliance as a potential risk to the integrity of Australia’s financial system, with the maximum penalty for this offence reaching $17 million.

Portuguese model on drugs

Greens leader and co-convenor of the Australian Parliamentary Group on Drugs Law Reform, Richard Di Natale, has called for a new approach to tackling drugs based on ‘the Portuguese model’. Instead of being processed though the criminal system, Portuguese drug users are given access to drug treatment programs financed by the money saved from law enforcement.

There’s some support for the Portuguese model across Parliament, with a Liberal spokeswoman acknowledging that the current process isn’t working, and a Labor spokesman supporting treating drugs as a health rather than criminal issue.

Women on the Beat

NSW celebrates 100 years of women in policing this week, with women responsible for ‘incredible’ cultural change since 1915. Women now comprise almost 35% of the force in areas as wide as the Mounted Police Unit and domestic violence liaison. Despite this progress, further efforts are needed to address the under representation of women on the force.

CT Scan

British laws

This week, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced the UK’s five-year plan to combat extremism. At the core of the reforms is a promotion of liberal values across various levels of society. Ultimately, Cameron says, our values are the ‘strongest weapon’ against tackling extremism. See here for a summary.

Cameron’s strategy was praised for recognising the need to win the battle of ideas. But focussing on ideology didn’t sit well with counter-terrorism expert Professor Andrew Silke. He argues that ideology isn’t the key motivator that drives terrorists: it’s the desire to fight for a perceived worthy cause.

Suicide bombings in China

A man detonated a bomb in eastern China on Monday, killing two people and injuring 24. Shannan Tiezzi at The Diplomat analyses the incident in the context of a string of recent suicide bombings in China, concluding that many weren’t acts of terrorism. Unlike the attacks in Xinjiang perpetrated by ethnic Uyghurs, the majority of suicide bombings in China are driven by personal grievances against the local government.

African-bred Islamism

While most eyes are on terrorism in the Middle East, Africa’s got a new problem—‘Islamism is the continent’s new ideology of protest’. The Economist maps how various extremist groups are spreading throughout Africa, exploiting Islamism’s ability to transcend tribal dynamics.

Checkpoint

Cuban flag flies back to Washington after 54 years

On Monday, the Cuban flag was raised over Havana’s embassy in Washington for the first time in 54 years. After two years of negotiation, The United States and Cuba formally restored diplomatic relations despite the commercial embargo remaining in place. This symbolic move marks a new post-Cold War era for both countries, as does the US removing Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism.

While re-established diplomatic ties were praised by Cubans in the US, some in Cuba fear this could be the beginning of the end of the ‘wet foot, dry foot’ policy which grants Cubans reaching American soil residential status. With only 150 kilometres separating the countries, it’s expected that illegal migration flows will increase.

Turkey’s terrorism fears become real

Earlier this year, Checkpoint commented on Ankara’s concerns over possible terrorist attacks on Turkish soil amidst demographic changes along its Syrian border. On Monday, in what the Government described the first Islamic State (IS) attack in Turkey, more than 30 people were killed and 100 injured in the Kurdish border town of Suruc. This has rushed the Government to increase security to reduce risks and ease tensions among Kurdish people who accused Ankara of failing to do more to stop IS.

The Beat

Mexican drug lord makes escape

Following his high-profile  arrest in 2014, Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman has escaped from Altiplano prison using a tunnel he allegedly built himself. This isn’t the first time he‘s escaped from jail, and it’s suggested that prison officials may have been complicit in the escape.

There are concerns Guzman could reclaim his influential role in the Sinaloa drug cartel . Should this happen, Guzman’s reach is such that his return to power could have ramifications as far as Australia.

Extreme measures to counter wildlife crime

Wildlife trafficking provides a concerning source of revenue for organised criminals. So scientists in Madagascar are permanently marking the shells of Ploughshare tortoises to prevent them being attractive to traffickers. The technique may attract some criticism, but also indicate the lengths scientists are prepared to go to protect endangered species that are targeted by poachers.

Very unique set of (canine) skills

Finally, our four-legged friends’ contributions to law enforcement are expanding beyond sniffing for drugs or explosives. Several dogs in the US have been trained to sniff out electronic devices such as thumb drives and hard drives at crime scenes which can take humans much longer to find. This training was of use recently, when dogs  found poignant evidence in an investigation of child pornography, indicating a new canine role in countering organised crime.

CT Scan

Countering Islamic State

How can we win ideological battles against Islamic State? Over at the Small Wars Journal, Ajit Maan explains that an effective narrative strategy has two interactive components—one that communicates the need for military action, and another that counters the enemy’s message. Maan argues that it’s our ability to defeat Islamic State’s narrative that will determine the likelihood of a military victory. Ultimately, Maan says, ‘we can kill bad guys with drones but bad ideas don’t die that way’.

Christina Nemr at War on the Rocks sees things differently. She writes that facts won’t change extremists’ minds, because people tend to disregard information that contradicts their beliefs. Instead, she suggests appealing to people’s values and motivations. Anthony Bergin and I made a similar point on Monday: that reinvigorating Australian values could help prevent home-grown extremism.

Pushback against UK’s CT laws

New counterterrorism laws came into force in the UK this month, placing  the duty of preventing extremism on various public bodies—including schools, prisons and local councils. But a recent open letter signed by nearly 300 prominent British figures condemned the laws as stifling free speech and stoking distrust in British Muslims. A Home Office spokesperson labelled the criticisms ‘simplistic’, citing the strategy’s recognition that there’s no single cause of radicalisation.

Checkpoint

Australia calls for MH17 tribunal

Nearly a year after Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 was taken down at the Russia—Ukraine Border, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop has urged the UN Security Council to establish an international tribunal to judge those involved in the downing of the plane, in which 298 people lost their lives, including 38 Australians.

Australia was joined by Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine in recognised the need for an independent criminal investigation to send a sound message that such actions won’t be tolerated for the sake of international civil aviation.

Guatemala joints hunt for ‘El Chapo’

This week The Beat highlighted Mexican Drug Lord Joaquin Guzman’s scape from prison. In following the manhunt, Guatemala’s Interior Ministry has deployed a special task force along its northern border in a collaborative effort to recapture Mexico’s most wanted man.

The timely security boost comes as ‘Popeye’, Pablo Escobar’s former hitman advised ‘El Chapo’ to head to the mountains in Guatemala, arm himself and declare an all-out war on the Mexican government in order to force them to come to an agreement with him.

The Beat

Mafia influencing Australian business and politics: part 2

The ABC/Fairfax investigation into organised crime in Australia has hit the international news, with Italian prosecutor Nicola Gratteri warning that increased focus on terrorism allows unwatched organised criminals to flourish. In light of such reports, there’s never been a better time to have that difficult conversation with business and the community about organised crime, as David Connery and I outline.

Kiwi sandwich gangs

New Zealand has the largest number of gang members per capita worldwide. But a recent Dateline report presents a different side of criminal gangs, showing their involvement in community life, such as those making sandwiches every school day for kids who would otherwise go without.

Whilst police have remained wary of the gangs, a more trusting relationship has developed through long-term involvement with community organisations like the Taitimu Trust, which brings together and supports vulnerable young people, providing them with a sense of belonging alternative to a gang. Sociologist Jarrod Gilbert comments that gangs change as their members mature, noting they tend to commit less violent crime beyond the age of 40.  VICE recently ran this interview and photo essay highlighting NZ’s Mongrel Mob.

New law enforcement support

The New South Wales Custody Notification Scheme has been granted federal funding. With no indigenous deaths in custody recorded in NSW since the scheme began, NSW indigenous affairs Minister Nigel Scullion hopes the scheme can be rolled out across Australia, with Western Australian premier Colin Barnett expressing an interest. Renewed funding in NSW could even be an impetus for expanding the program.

CT Scan

What have we learnt about radicalisation?

Experts converged in the UK this week for briefings on six areas of research into radicalisation, from social networks, the internet and lone wolves to what we can learn from cults. Highlights include a briefing from Melbourne University’s David Malet, who provides a sober analysis of the impact of foreign fighters on radicalisation at home. See here to read and listen to the briefings.

A Danish man has set out his extremism journey, highlighting the influential role his Muslim mentor played in the deradicalisation process. The mentoring strategy is a component of the Aarhus Model, an initiative set up to turn young Danes away from fighting for al-Qaeda or Islamic State.

The Virtual Caliphate

Check out Quilliam’s new report ‘The Virtual Caliphate’, which looks deep into Islamic State’s propaganda since June 2014. Over at Jihadology, Cori E. Dauber and Mark Robinson dissect how the group uses compositional elements of production to create its infamous ‘Hollywood quality’ propaganda.

7/7 anniversary

Tuesday marked 10 years since the 2005 London bombings. Jason Burke at The Guardian explains how the bombings marked a new era of uncertainty for the world. But for Gill Hicks, a survivor of the bombings who lost her legs, the event fuelled her ‘positive anger’ that drives her current deradicalisation work.

Checkpoint

Border dispute: UN called upon

Unclear demarcation and alleged encroachment by Vietnam have increased Cambodian concerns for stability in Svay Rieng province Recent clashes involving opposition party officials from Cambodia and security personnel from Vietnam compelled Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to host a bilateral border meeting to ease the volatile situation.

Despite cooperative efforts, Vietnam’s claims over Cambodia’s alleged use of ‘controversial’ maps to settle the dispute has stalled demarcation talks, leaving the border still unsettled in many places. Prime Minister Hun Sen has now requested that the UN provide their official border maps in the hope that the border demarcation process can be resumed.