Coalition Operations: A Compromise or an Accommodation

{T}1lere is no quandary in the mind of Australia's military leaders whetl we examine where we might need to be techtlologically; we use interoperability with the United States as a benchmark. However, we mllst strike a balance that ensures we remain interoperable with bolll techniadly advanced allies and those not as technically advanced, but no less important, regional and coalition partners. Australia successfully led the UN effort in East Timor because it had the ability to flex its command and control systems, technology, tactics, techniques and procedures in both directions to accommodate coalition partners across a range of technological capabilities. We must continue to achieve this balance within a tight budget. This will challenge our ingenuity and, I suspect at times, our patience!'