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Committing to preparedness, and the balance between ‘all of it’ and ‘just enough’

Logistics in War

This series on logistics and preparedness aimed to allow for a gross calibration of the truth; before concluding the series with a few thoughts on major shortcomings in preparing militaries for their operations, let’s recap the previous posts. ‘ Militaries must get the force balance right – and the ‘tooth to tail’ ratio is important.

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Is logistics the ultimate conventional deterrent?

Logistics in War

Nations are naturally competitive, and one of the principle roles for standing militaries is to deter others from undertaking military action within this competition. Recently Western militaries have contended that adversaries, real and potential, do not always distinguish peace and war.

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‘The furthest, the weakest’ – how logistics creates national power

Logistics in War

Theorists, writers, military professionals and many others are looking for indicators of strategic activity, some obvious and some not so conspicuous. The ability to apply military power to influence strategic decision making, if not through direct and forceful coercion, is an ultimate expression of national strength.

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‘The furthest, the weakest’ – how logistics and distance influence national power

Logistics in War

Theorists, writers, military professionals and many others are looking for indicators of strategic activity, some obvious and some not so conspicuous. The ability to apply military power to influence strategic decision making, if not through direct and forceful coercion, is an ultimate expression of national strength.

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Large Shipping Losses Have Declined 38% over Past 10 Years

Material Handling and Logistics

In 2017 the downward trend of large shipping losses continued, according to a new survey, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty's (AGCS) Safety & Shipping Review. Globally, the decline in frequency and severity of total losses over the past year continues the positive trend of the past decade. naval ships and commercial vessels.

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What an operation twenty years ago can tell us about preparedness now – lessons from INTERFET in 1999

Logistics in War

The ADF had smart people, well-intentioned leaders both military and civilian, and was supported as best as possible from a Department that grappled with a complex and complicated mix of national circumstances in preceding years. The cuts made to logistics capabilities had been a part of a long-term trend that had become unstoppable.

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Reforming logistics training: themes, challenges and the quest for the ideal

Logistics in War

A common trend found in the literature of military logistics is the decrying of training and education gaps interspersed within the persuasive arguments for greater military interest in logistics. The roots of power in a military environment are self-evident, tied to effective command and enabled by governance.