MRead participates in AUSA and UN Meetings in New York - prior to field trials in Angola in November 2024

The US Army is conducting its largest modernisation in 40 years. Some key themes were:

- Ukraine has prompted a revolution in warfare. The scale of unmanned systems is unprecedented:

- 3.5 million drones deployed this year –Russia 1.5m and Ukraine 2.5m with new drone models every 2 weeks.

- US leadership is key and must be ‘at the speed of relevance.’

- Large Scale Combat Operations is the focus now.

- Recruiting is a major challenge - the US Army is succeeding.

- Need to build a stronger culture of innovation.

·     Must integrate allies and partners to achieve their own long-term goals.

·     Must win in all Domains - Land, Maritime, Air, Space and Cyber.

The AustralianTrade and Investment Commission (Austrade) has been simply excellent and our thanks to Major General David Coghlan AO and the whole TDA team for their support and advice – it really madea difference. I also really appreciated the time MountainHorse Solutions through Chris Witts took to explain the US market and how best to prepare for it.

On a personal note, it was great to be able to catch up with some of my U.S. Army colleagues from my previous deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Following AUSA, we went to the United Nations for discussions kindly coordinated by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) through Richard Boulter, Chief ofDesign, Operational Support and Oversight, UNMAS and a host of InternationalMilitary Advisors. The highlight of the New York visit was meeting MajorGeneral Cheryl Pearce AM CSC, the UN Military Advisor for Peacekeeping Operations. She outlined some of the issues and challenges facing the UN as it deploys forces across the world.

After AUSA and the UN meetings, we are now deploying to Southern Angola for field trials with The HALOTrust. Our partnership with The HALO Trust has been first rate and supporting humanitarian demining has been extremely rewarding, particularly in the light of the tragedies we see unfolding around us every day. The preparations in Australia went extremely well, but we are now at the pointy end of proving how well it works in real minefields – it really is exciting.

Thank you to all those who supported and championed us.