Day One of the Chief of Army Symposium 2026
is now available to watch!
The Chief of Army Symposium 2026 (CAS 2026) was held at the Riverside Theatre of the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre over 7-8 October, and was the first symposium hosted by the 42nd Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle AM CSC DSM. As a key event in the Army’s annual calendar, the symposium provides an important forum for reflection, discussion, and analysis of contemporary security challenges.
Bringing together leaders and subject matter experts from defence, government, industry, academia, and the technology sector, CAS 2026 provided an opportunity to foster collaboration, strengthen partnerships, and support national and regional security objectives.
Under the theme Hardwired for Adaptation, the symposium examined how the Army can remain responsive and prepared in an increasingly complex and contested strategic environment. As the nature of warfare continues to evolve, ensuring Army is prepared to adapt, not only as a fighting force but also as a profession and a national institution, is paramount.
Through a series of keynote addresses and panel discussions, speakers shared their insights and experiences, which can be viewed below:
Chief of Army Symposium 2026: Opening
Master of Ceremonies: Brigadier Natasha Ludwig, AM
Director General Logistics, Australian Army
Welcome to Country
Aunty Di Ryder
Noongar Elder
Opening Remarks
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, AM, CSC, DSM
Chief of Army, Australian Army
Keynote Address #1
Jim Mitre
Chief Research Officer, RAND Corporation
Fireside Chat
Hon. Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence
Admiral Mark Hammond, AO, RAN, Chief of the Defence Force, Australian Defence Force
Lieutenant General Susan Coyle, AM, CSC, DSM, Chief of Army, Australian Army
Keynote Address #2
General Arai Masayoshi
Chief of Staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Keynote Address #3
Dr Nora Bensahel
Professor of Practice, Johns Hopkins University and E.G. Keogh Visiting Chair
Panel: Why Adaptation?
Brigadier James Kidd, DSM and Bar, CSM, Director General Future Land Warfare, Australian Army
Jim Mitre, Chief Research Officer, RAND Corporation
Dr Nora Bensahel, Professor of Practice, Johns Hopkins University and E.G. Keogh Visiting Chair
General Arai Masayoshi, Chief of Staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force
Major General Ana Duncan, AM, CSC, Commander Forces Command, Australian Army
Keynote Address #4
Major General Mick Ryan (Retd), AM
Senior Military Fellow, Lowy Institute
Panel: Realities of Contemporary War
Colonel Tony Bennett, DSM, Former Australian Defence Attaché to Ukraine, Australian Army
Vice Admiral Justin Jones, AO, CSC, RAN, Commander Joint Operations, Australian Defence Force
Brigadier Eamon Lenaghan, AM, CSC, Deputy Force Commander, United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, Australian Army
Kathryn McMullan, Director, Australian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation
Brigadier James Kidd, DSM and Bar, CSM, Director General Future Land Warfare, Australian Army
Panel: The View from Australian Defence Industry
Michael Irwin, Co-CEO, Breaker Industries
David Goodrich, OAM, Executive Chairman & CEO, Anduril Australia
Sarah Bailey, Group CEO, PentenAmio
Andrew Gresham, Managing Director of Defence Delivery Business, BAE Systems
Stuart Morse, General Manager, Integrated Design & Engineering Solutions
Major General Kurt Brown CSC, Head Land Capability, Australian Army
