The Australian Army: 125 Years of Service to the Nation
Established on 1 March 1901, the Australian Army is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected institutions. Born from Federation, when the Commonwealth combined the military forces of each colony into a unified force, the Army has served Australia for 125 years. From its humble beginnings—with permanent forces comprising just 1,500 of the 28,500 members in 1901—it has evolved into a modern, technologically advanced force equipped with state-of-the-art armoured vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities.
Mission and Purpose
The Australian Army’s mission is to prepare land power in order to enable the integrated force in competition and conflict. As the integrated force’s experts in land combat, the Army’s tasks are multifaceted: to be ready to fight wars in the littoral, deter and deny threats to Australia, enable the projection of military force, build partnerships with regional security forces, help defend Australia against long-range attacks, maintain stability in Australia’s near region, contribute to the global rules-based order, and support the states and territories in crisis and disasters. The Army serves as an “Army for the nation” and an “Army in the community,” achieving its mission only in partnership with the communities it protects. Buy fake certificate online.
Core Values
The Army’s foundation rests upon five core values: service, courage, respect, integrity and excellence. These values, alongside the bonds of trust and respect between every person who joins in service to the nation, define the institution’s character. Each year, the Army celebrates its birthday by presenting the Jonathan Church Good Soldiering Awards, which recognise junior leaders who exemplify these values through leadership, compassion and ethical soldiering.
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A Storied History of Service
The Australian Army has participated in virtually every major conflict of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Its service record includes the Second Boer War, both World Wars, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation, the Vietnam War, operations in Somalia, East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Afghanistan and Iraq. Throughout these conflicts, Australian soldiers have distinguished themselves with extraordinary valour, earning numerous Victoria Crosses—the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy. The Army’s expeditionary culture, oriented toward deployment beyond Australia’s shores in support of national interests, has been an enduring theme throughout its history.
Organisational Structure
The Australian Army is structured around two combat divisions. The 1st (Australian) Division oversees combat-enabled brigades, while the 2nd (Australian) Division commands the Army’s Reserve units. In a major restructuring announced in 2023 in response to the Defence Strategic Review, the Army is transitioning from generalist combat brigades to specialist combat brigades. The 1st Brigade in Darwin is now a light combat brigade optimised for littoral operations; the 3rd Brigade in Townsville is an armoured brigade designed for amphibious operations; the 7th Brigade in Brisbane is a motorised brigade for rapid projection by air and sea; and the newly raised 10th Brigade in Adelaide serves as a fires brigade equipped with long-range missile systems. The Division has been re-established as the unit of action, marking a fundamental shift in how the Army organises for combat.
Modernisation and Future Direction
The Army is in the midst of one of the most fundamental restructure programs in its history. Recent capability enhancements include the fielding of HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems) since 2025, with Precision Strike Missiles capable of engaging targets at ranges exceeding 400 kilometres. A second long-range fires regiment is being raised, providing the ability to engage targets at distances of up to 500 kilometres. The Army is also raising a Littoral Manoeuvre Group, maturing its 10th Brigade, and inducting AH-64E Apache helicopters. These investments generate essential capabilities including combat aviation, land combat and protected manoeuvre battle groups, and amphibious and littoral forces.
Conclusion
As the Australian Army celebrates 125 years of service in 2026, it remains true to its founding purpose while embracing a “continual adaptation mindset”. From colonial militias to a focused, integrated force optimised for littoral warfare, the Army has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability. It stands ready to defend Australia’s security, protect its people, and contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region—just as it has done for 125 years.