The Defence Strategic Review was released on 24 April 2023. The DSR recommended far reaching changes to the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) strategic posture and capability in response to what it termed ‘radically different’ strategic circumstances. 

The DSR focuses on three things: (1) a specific threat, being the threat posed to Australia’s interests; (2) an integrated all-domain force with an emphasis on long-range precision strike; and (3) a strategy of denial (more particularly deterrence by denial). It implies a focus for the Army on land-based long-range precision strike, land-based air and missile defence, and close combat from or through fortified positions from the sea (littoral manoeuvre).

The DSR has drawn a share of criticism. So in this episode of The Cove Podcast, we sit down with the Deputy Chief of Army, MAJGEN Chris Smith DSC, AM, CSC to explore this in more detail and get his thoughts on what it all means for Army.