Supporting the transformation of Army: the power of simulation in modern warfare

The 2024 Defence Strategic Review has led to significant changes to the Australian Army and the roles and functions of the various combat brigades as the Army pivots to deliver littoral land combat capabilities to the joint force.

Simultaneously, the war in Ukraine is challenging our understanding of conventional high-level conflict, currently characterised by rapid innovations in remote and autonomous systems (RAS), aka “drone warfare,” driven by technology and continuously iterated through organisational changes.

So not only do we need to adapt from a continental balanced force to a specialised littoral force, but the Australian Army needs to embrace the applicable lessons from Ukraine, all within a tight budget environment.
This requires rapid retraining and technology experimentation for existing soldiers, who must develop and then practice tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).

The obvious solution to these issues is to employ simulation to prepare for, focus, and enhance the limited live training opportunities. Simulation is best used as part of a blended training approach: before the live activity to familiarise and harden TTPs, during the live activity to enhance the range environment, and then afterward to develop understanding in and practice those drills that safety or resource allocations do not allow.

Furthermore, simulation provides the opportunity to practice, practice, practice, and practice again, to develop muscle memory in simulators (such as the Weapon Training Simulation System), and to develop cognitive capability via desktop simulation, where individuals, teams, and sub-units can work together on their TTPs and with other forces.

The Australian Army is fortunate to use simulation software, such as VBS from Bohemia Interactive Simulations, which our key allies and partners, the US Army, USMC, the British Army, New Zealand, and many NATO countries also use. This supports international interoperability and provides opportunities to conduct joint and combined activities down to the platoon level.

image First Person View (FPV) drone training in Bohemia Interactive Simulations VBS4″