Australia’s Chief of Army has emphasized the increasing role of violence as a political tool in global conflicts, while cautioning against prematurely adopting new military technologies without full consideration of their implications. Lieutenant General Susan Coyle delivered these remarks on Wednesday during the Chief of Army Symposium in Perth, where she also highlighted the need for adaptability in Australia’s defence posture amid evolving geopolitical and technological landscapes.

Promoted to her current position three months ago, General Coyle drew on lessons from recent conflicts, notably Ukraine’s resistance to Russia, as examples for Australia to study. However, she stressed that the strategic environment in Australia’s region differs significantly from Europe’s, making direct comparisons or predictions about future conflicts difficult. “Context is king,” she said, underscoring the importance of understanding local conditions rather than applying lessons from distant theaters uncritically.

Australia faces ongoing challenges related to defence force capacity, including shortages in personnel. While new technologies such as unmanned systems and artificial intelligence present potential advantages, General Coyle warned against “learning the wrong lessons too early” or overreliance on emerging capabilities without thorough evaluation. She advocated for a flexible and responsive approach, likening the defence force to “a chameleon” that must adapt continuously to shifting circumstances.

Supporting this view, Jim Mitre, chief research officer at the US policy think tank RAND, highlighted Australia’s unique difficulties in modern defence strategy. He noted Australia’s relative scarcity of military assets compared to the United States, which possesses greater depth in forces and resources. This disparity, combined with the reduced warning times before modern conflicts erupt, demands that Australia shorten its “conversion interval” — the period needed to adjust to new threats and operational conditions — to remain effective alongside allies.

Mitre also referred to the recent hacking incident involving OpenAI Medicare as an example of the expanding prevalence of “automated offence” systems, which are capable of conducting autonomous cyberattacks. In response, he argued for the accelerated development of “automated defence” technologies to counter these emerging threats efficiently.

Joining the discussion, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force chief of staff General Aria Masayoshi acknowledged the transformative potential of rapidly advancing technologies such as artificial intelligence. However, he cautioned allied forces not to “over-estimate” the impact of new technologies or to assume that technological innovation alone will guarantee military advantage, urging a balanced and measured approach.

The symposium’s addresses collectively underscored the urgency for Australia and its partners to prepare for a dynamic security environment where political violence, technological change, and regional differences complicate traditional defence planning. Adaptability and prudent integration of advanced technologies were presented as key factors for maintaining readiness in the uncertain context of future conflicts.