ARMY
Re-imagining the future The Chief of Army Symposium was a showcase of innovation and new ideas. Army highlighted the importance of regional engagement and industry collaboration during the recent Chief of Army Symposium 2021, held at the Brisbane Convention Centre from April 19 to 20. The CA Symposium brought together Defence, international partners, science and technology experts, academia and industry to discuss the issues facing Army and the region in the next decade. “Your ideas and perspectives help us think beyond where we are today and help us imagine or, indeed re-imagine, the future,” CA Lt-Gen Rick Burr said. A highlight of the symposium was the panel discussion regarding regional challenges where the CA was joined remotely by his counterparts, the CAs of India, Indonesia, Japan and Singapore. “Talking about challenges and opportunities among our regional military leaders was very powerful,” Lt-Gen Burr said. Lt-Gen Burr said it was a great example of the ways in which Army has adapted to new ways of collaborating and contributing to an Indo-Pacific that is stable and prosperous. “They shared their perspectives on the strategic challenges that we are confronting and how we might get after them,” he said. The Army’s support to Australianled technology, partnerships with academia and industry, and innovation was also bolstered by the Army Innovation Day, Army Robotics Expo and the Quantum Technology Challenge. Lt-Gen Burr said the two-day event has given ADF personnel, academia and industry partners the chance to get hands-on with the latest technology and innovation to support our “Future Ready” Army. The Army Innovation Day had more than 21 Australian industry partners pitching ideas to meet Army’s commitment to energy and environmental resilience.
Above: Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO gives his opening address. Opposite: The
Ghost Robotics quadruped robot is presented at the Robotics Expo and Quantum Technology Challenge. “In particular, on Innovation Day there were examples of investing with small companies who have great innovative ideas, who we’ve worked with to develop their ideas and turn them into products to integrate with capabilities that we’re using in the Army,” Lt-Gen Burr said. “It was really exciting. There was a real buzz in the room and in the exhibition hall where people were displaying their ideas to us.” The Army Robotics Expo featured displays and demonstrations from more than 55 Australian owned and led businesses including optionally crewed vehicles, aerial systems and emerging soldier technology. “I am proud to support the exploration of disruptive technologies,” Lt-Gen Burr said. “It highlights our commitment to working with some of the best and brightest to learn, understand, prototype and experiment with potential capabilities for the Army.” The Quantum Technology Challenge (QTC 2021) provided a forum for Australian academic and industry organisations to pitch their ideas to
Army personnel on how quantum technology can result in military advantage for the Army. Head of Land Capability Maj-Gen Simon Stuart launched Army’s Quantum Technology Roadmap at QTC 2021, and said the event was the perfect chance to showcase Australian technology and its importance to Army “We will see a global increase in the use of these technologies in the future, and they will offer significant military advantage to early adopters,” Maj-Gen Stuart said. The symposium also brought together junior and senior enlisted from across Army in the Junior Leaders’ Forum and Senior Enlisted Conference to discuss the behaviours so vital to successful engagement in our region. “People who are enabled to operate at their peak are the foundation of our capability and credibility as a combat force,” Lt-Gen Burr said. “Our success will depend on teams who are well led and who are accountable for what they do.” This year’s symposium was the first to be held since 2018, and there are plans for another event next year. AUSTRALIAN PEACEKEEPER
23
