Kristi Raik’s Post

Very much looking forward to hosting retired General Professor Adam Findlay AO this Thursday at Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art in #Brisbane as part of Griffith Asia Institute's Perspectives: Asia lecture series. Adam will share his views on Australia's' “2024 National Defence Strategy”. Released in April 2024, the National Defence Strategy assesses that Australia is facing 'its most challenging strategic period since the Second World War'. The primary feature being the increasing strategic competition between the #USA and #China and an unprecedented military build-up in the Indo-#Pacific Region. The NDS claims to provide a 'new approach' to the defence of Australia to meet 'the most consequential security risks we face' through the application of a Strategy of Denial. Is this new strategy capable of defending Australia and its interests in our rapidly deteriorating geo-strategic environment? There is still time to register here: https://lnkd.in/gSCFyy8v

#Article QUAD in the Indo-Pacific: Can Rhetoric Turn into Action in the South China Sea? writes Bishwarupa Kar Although the four countries have some divergences in their military capabilities, the convergence in their willingness to come together for acts of power projection matters more. The outcome can go two ways: either India can revise its traditional stance and incorporate the military angle to increase the grouping’s leverage in the Indo-Pacific, thereby reviving the QUAD, or it may continue to put its national interest before the collective interest. The summit may conclude with a new technological impetus for existing maritime security systems and reinforce the upcoming Malabar exercises in October. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gUgPx9eq

‼️ I recommend familiarizing yourself with the book „SHIELDING EUROPE WITH THE COMMON SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY” that serves as the final product of UE project, particularly with my CHAPTER 3 on page 109 „EMERGING AND INNOVATIVE MILITARY TECHNOLOGIES IN THE EU MEMBER STATES: BACKGROUND AND ISSUES” 🙂 The project was carried out as part of the Hungarian presidency of the European Union. Central European Academy https://lnkd.in/d-N9aUar

Challenging times require extraordinary investments in our defence. Luxembourg plans to invest up to €2.6 billion, over 30 years, for new medium #CombatRecce vehicles, combat support vehicles as well as logistics vehicles for Lëtzebuerger Arméi - Armée luxembourgeoise. Today, Minister of Defence Yuriko Backes Backes together with Chief of Defence General Steve Thull presented the draft law authorising the Government to finance the acquisition and logistical support of vehicles for the needs of the Luxembourg Armed Forces. The draft law was approved by Government Council this morning. "This is a historic investment in our defence, which is necessary in order to remain a reliable partner in defence, honouring our commitments within NATO and the EU." - Yuriko Backes. This is an essential project for the future of Luxembourg Defence and part of the implementation of the bi-national Belgian-Luxembourg medium combat reconnaissance battalion. Its is an investment in our security and our collective deterrence & defence. 👉 https://lnkd.in/du-WYm-D

The 4th edition of the #DefenceSecurityConference: An excellent opportunity to share the Czech insights on Cooperation and partnerships for a strong and credible EU defence, but more importantly, to hear from experts on a range of topics shaping the current debate in Europe on Defence and Security.

What role for commercial space in military applications in Europe ? #ICYMI one of our latest Policy Briefs addressed this very question. Main author Mathieu Bataille summarises the Brief with the 5️⃣ key takeaways. You can access the Brief at https://lnkd.in/efiBrwUK, and we look forward to discussing this and other security & defence topics at our 18th Autumn Conference next week https://lnkd.in/eHzbSHk2 !

🌍 Highlights from Belgian Land Day 2024 by Defensie: Shaping the Future of Defence. Over 1,200 guests, including civil and political authorities, academic and industrial circles, as well as defence authorities gathered at the Brabanthal near Leuven for Belgian Land Day 2024—a key annual event by the Belgian Land Component. ✨ Key Discussions: A panel chaired by Général Jean-Pol Baugnée took place to discuss the change of paradigm brought with the Ukrainian conflict, emphasizing the need to balance exquisite weaponry with large volume of low-tech capabilities to build resilience for future challenges. 🚀 Spotlight on Innovation: The Belgian Innovation for Defence Programme showcased its role in equipping our forces with the tools to counter emerging threats. Through presentations and case studies, senior officers, military students, and other attendees gained insights into cutting-edge defence strategies. 💡 Events like these bridge academia, industry, and the military to shape the future of national and global security. #Defence #innovation #InnovationInDefence #inno4def #BelgiumEvents cc: Koen Ceulemans - Fleur de Belloy

The former President of Finland Niinistö, as tasked by President von der Leyen, presented today a dedicated report on the challenges and the future of the EU Security and Defence. Key messages (among others): ▶️ The more insecure our world is the more money is needed for EU's security and defence 💶 ▶️ CFSP civilian and military operations (and exercises) should be strengthened 💪 ▶️ The European Peace Facility (EPF) should be endowed with sufficient resources 💸 ▶️ 2 new Facilities are suggested: Defending Europe Facility (DEF) & Securing Europe Facility (SEF) An observation from my side: interesting that, unlike Draghi report, there are no clear references to any need for a change in the CFSP decision-making processes (unanimity?).

🚨 The "Niinistö Report" is finally out, and guess what: SECURITY is once again under the spotlight!!! 👉 Everyone must realise that, as the document refers: "Security is the foundation on which everything is built".

Before February 2022, I believed Europe was heavily reliant on the US to defend itself against Russia’s ‘formidable capabilities’. Therefore, arguments that Europe should ‘do more for its own security’ felt reasonably rebutted by the notion that – the US was so pivotal to defence that any efforts at European military autonomy wouldn’t make much impact, so why bother. It was a pretty unfair outlook to burden sharing with an ally in my opinion, but leaving that aside there was some accuracy. However, after seeing how well Ukraine has done for two years against Russia’s efforts, it is difficult to claim that Europe cannot defend itself. Europe can guarantee its own security, its time to relieve the US of its responsibility in the theatre so its armed forces can focus on other priorities further east. The US being a part of NATO and a major contributor to European defence is still absolutely key, but Americans should no longer be asked to lead eastern flank security in the way they currently are.