The Australian Army's Premier Event
Wednesday 7 to Thursday 8 October 2026
Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
About the Event
The Chief of Army Symposium 2026 (CAS 2026) is the first symposium convened by the 42nd Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle AM, CSC, DSM, and will be held in conjunction with the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition (LF 2026).
As the region’s premier land defence event, LF 2026 brings together leaders across defence, industry, government, academia, and technology to support national and regional security. CAS 2026 is open to all LF 2026 attendees. Visit the LF 2026 website for more information.
The theme for CAS 2026 is Hardwired for Adaptation. Presenters will examine the changing character of war, and how the Army must be comprehensively hardwired for continual adaptation, as a profession, as a fighting force and as a national institution.
Discussions will focus on the practicalities of adaptation, moving beyond theory to address the realities of professional culture, foresight, force-design, funding, and industry collaboration.
Why Adaptation?
The Chief of the Australian Army and fellow strategic leaders will examine the urgent need to hardwire armies for continuous
adaptation, in the face of the accelerating change in the character of war.
Myths or Reality: the character of contemporary war
This series of speakers and panels will unpack the character of contemporary land war, examining the myths and realities present in the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.
How to Hardwire for Adaptation
This session will examine the practicalities of
hardwiring armies for adaptation,
with views from the soldier on the ground to the Divisional commander.
REGISTER NOW
Join us in-person or virtually!
Click the button below to secure your place at CAS 2026.
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What our attendees say
I think the event was well orchestrated and presented the opportunity to have a public debate on complex Army problems.
Hearing from our leaders is very valuable to serving members. It gives me a sense of surety around our intent, purpose and what we should be getting after.
Given the level of knowledge and experience of all speakers, all presentations and panels were valuable and insightful.
