Australian Defence Force Concludes Inaugural Space Domain Wargame in Canberra

The Australian Defence Force and civilian personnel gathered in Fairbairn, Australian Capital Territory, from August 31 to September 4 for the inaugural Defence Space Domain Wargame to examine the role of space capabilities in military operations and decision-making.

The seminar-style exercise was hosted by Space Command and the Joint Experimentation Directorate at the Joint Experimentation and Wargaming Laboratory. Attendees included members of the Australian Defence Force, the Australian Public Service, Australian Government officials, and delegates from partner nations.

According to Defence, participants explored the military's reliance on space capabilities across multiple scenarios. The activity was designed to evaluate opportunities, dependencies, and vulnerabilities tied to the space domain.

Captain Josh Wilson, Director of the Joint Experimentation Directorate, stated that such activities allow Defence to test assumptions, explore challenges, and produce insights that will guide future operational preparedness and capability development.

Acting Director General Space Strategy and Plans, Group Captain Edgar Gonzalez, noted that space capabilities underpin operations across every domain, adding that wargaming helps establish a shared understanding of how the integrated force depends on space.

Defence indicated that the wargame forms part of broader initiatives by Space Command to bolster experimentation, future force development, and awareness of operational factors within the space domain.

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