THE ADF

A woman in camouflage uniform standing on a ship, ready for action.

The Royal Australian Navy's expertly trained personnel operate advanced ships and aircraft to protect Australia's interests.

An Army member standing inside a tank, preparing for combat.

The Australian Army is a versatile and modern fighting force that helps maintain the security of Australia.

Two members of the Air Force in military uniforms observing something.

The Royal Australian Air Force is a world-class force operating advanced aircraft and defence technology.

As one of the world's leading military organisations, the ADF plays a key role in our nation’s defence as well as providing a range of peacetime services.

Two ADF members sit on the open back door of a plane as it flies over the ocean and land.

DEFENDING OUR COUNTRY AND OUR INTERESTS

As an expertly trained and technically advanced military capability, we’re tasked with defending:

our nation, its borders and coastline
our people and their values
our way of life.

A member of the Navy distributes water to a man in need.

HELPING COMMUNITIES AT HOME AND ABROAD

We support a broad range of operations in Australia and overseas, including:

supporting international security and counter-terrorism initiatives
protecting our borders from illegal activity and incursions
supporting humanitarian and peacekeeping operations
helping communities affected by natural disasters.

A man in an aircraft with a camera straps top his head surveys the ocean below.

PROTECTING TRADE AND COMMERCE

We provide services critical to the safety of shipping (around 90% of Australia’s imports and exports) and the protection of our airspace. These include:

maritime and aerial patrols
maritime search and rescue services
hydrographic surveys for navigation purposes
anti-piracy and smuggling operations
meteorological support operations
maintaining a strategic strike capability.

Two female members of the Army study maps.

ADAPTING TO COMPLEX STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTS

Over the coming decades, Australia will be faced with global uncertainty. To deal with the challenges, the ADF needs to be highly professional, well-governed and agile. That way, we can respond to changing environments, seize opportunities and manage increasing strategic, political, cultural and technological complexities.

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Our impact

The ADF operates across Australia and on vessels worldwide. Our people are deployed overseas on combat, disaster relief, peacekeeping and aid provision operations.

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