Williams Foundation Conference: The Multi-domain Requirements of an Australian Maritime Strategy
A maritime strategy considers more than naval operations. It details the ends, ways, and means necessary for the generation of national power that serves all of a nation’s interests.
A maritime strategy must therefore contribute to other elements of national power such as diplomatic, informational, and economic, and is not enough to focus on military capabilities alone. It must address the broader efforts of Defence and the other agencies which contribute to the security of borders and the exclusive economic zone, as well as protecting the mobility of trade and data either on, above or below the surface.
In many ways, therefore, the objectives of an Australian maritime strategy are no different to other nations, especially those that also rely heavily on the oceans for the passage of trade and the development of economic power. However, the vast area of interest and Australia’s relatively small population poses a complex challenge when identifying the ways and means by which those national objectives are achieved.
In a practical sense, a maritime strategy requires a highly integrated, multi-agency, multi-domain response enabled by, among others, connectivity, logistics, bases, stores, and decision-making superiority. And with an increasingly challenging threat environment, this must all be resilient and ready.
The Sir Richard Williams Foundation Seminar, The Multi-domain Requirements of an Australian Maritime Strategy, will examine these challenges, gaps, and opportunities, through a Defence lens. Delivered in 3 sessions, the first session will examine the enduring requirements and characteristics of a maritime strategy. The second session will explore the opportunities, workforce and technology aspects, with the Group, Agency, and Service Chiefs in the final session identifying the priorities and personal perspectives on the future requirements of an Australian maritime strategy.
The Conference Program can be downloaded here
Air Chief Marshal The Lord Peach GBE KCB DL
Prime Minister's Special Envoy to the Western Balkans
Lord Peach was appointed as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans in December 2021. Previously Lord Peach was the 32nd Chairman of the Military Committee of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO); the most senior and longest standing military structure in the Alliance.
Air Chief Marshal Peach was NATO’s most senior military officer and the Military Adviser to the Secretary General and the North Atlantic Council. In addition, he was the UK’s most senior serving officer.
He was educated in the West Midlands, attended the University of Sheffield (BA), University of Cambridge (MPhil in International Law and International Relations), RAF Staff College and the Joint Services Command and Staff College (HCSC). He holds 4 honorary Doctorates from UK Universities: Hull, Kingston, Sheffield and Loughborough, in Technology and Letters (DTech, DLitt).
Commissioned into the Royal Air Force in 1974, Lord Peach qualified as a nuclear, weapons and electronic warfare instructor.
Operational service includes Belize, Hong Kong and Germany in the 1980s. After several staff tours he was Air Commander (Forward) in headquarters for the Kosovo Force (KFOR) (NATO) in Kosovo and was Deputy Senior British Military Adviser in US HQ Central Command 2001 to 2002.
Lord Peach was Director General Intelligence Collection in the Ministry of Defence 2003 to 2006 and Chief of Defence Intelligence and Deputy Chairman of the UK Joint Intelligence Committee 2006 to 2009, where he held the UK seat at the NATO Intelligence Board. He held the appointment of Chief of Joint Operations at Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) from March 2009 to December 2011, commanding all UK Force Elements in support of NATO operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
He was then the first Commander of the UK Joint Forces Command from December 2011 to April 2013. He was Vice Chief of the Defence Staff from May 2013 to May 2016 and was responsible for all UK military personnel in NATO. He was Chief of the Defence Staff from July 2016 to June 2018 and assumed the role of Chairman of the Military Committee of NATO in June 2018, his fourth four-star appointment.
Lord Peach is a Fellow of the Royal College of Defence Studies, an Honorary Fellow of the Downing College Cambridge and Royal Institute of Navigation. He was knighted by HM The Queen (KCB) in 2009, and became a Knight Grand Cross of the British Empire (GBE) in 2016. He became a Crossbench Peer in the House of Lords in November 2022.
Lord Peach is married with 2 children.
Contemporary Aircrew Training:How are we scaling up aircrew training to meet the strategic need?
GPCAPT Brett Williams Officer Commanding Air Academy, RAAF Base Williams
Group Captain Williams initially joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force as a Navigator in 1996 where he spent the majority of his time flying the P3K Orion. In 2007, Williams transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force where he has undertaken numerous command and staff appointments. As a select instructor with over 5000 hours on various platform types, Williams now commands the Air Academy.
Our speaker will be announced soon.
Williams Foundation Conference: Topic to be advised soon
Financial members are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting of the Sir Richard Williams Foundation.
Agenda
Sir Richard Williams Foundation