On Wednesday 15 October 2008, Mr Andrew Davies (Director of the Operations and Capability Program, Australian Strategic Policy Institute) addressed members and guests of the Institute on “Australia’s Changing Strategic Position & the New Defence White Paper”. Organised by IISS-Asia, the event took place at 9 Raffles Place, #53-02 Republic Plaza.
Synopsis:
The new Australian Defence White paper will have to balance an ongoing commitment to the US-led efforts in the Middle East with some significant changes in the strategic environment in the Asia-Pacific region. The days of a clear economic and qualitative military advantage for Australia in the region are in the past, and Australia must think harder about how it can best contribute to Southeast Asian and wider security processes while maintaining a credible hedge against armed conflict.
Mr Davies joined the Analytic Studies Group in Australia’s Department of Defence in 1994. He worked on a range of scientific studies in support of Defence decision-making, including submarine detection for the RAN, Army firepower options and RAAF stand-off weapons effectiveness. He led the Capability Analysis Branch within Defence Headquarters for a time, and subsequently spent a number of years working in intelligence. Mr Davies joined the Australian Strategic Policy Institute as director of the Operations and Capability Program in 2006. He has written extensively on subjects such as Australia’s Air Warfare Destroyer project and air combat capabilities, and the future Collins replacement submarine.
[IISS-Asia is pleased to acknowledge the financial support of the Australian Department of Defence for this seminar series.]
