And her message was not dressed up in comfortable language.

Lieutenant General Susan Coyle warned that it would be “delusional” to assume every military system would continue working exactly as planned during a serious modern conflict.

She said Australia must be ready to operate when intelligence systems, satellite communications, navigation and targeting technology are disrupted or manipulated by an enemy.

In other words, modern warfare would not only involve soldiers, ships, aircraft and missiles.

It could also involve cyberattacks, damaged satellites, interrupted communications, false information and technology that fails at the moment it is needed most.

Coyle said the basic nature of war had not changed. It would still involve violence, danger and boots on the ground.

What had changed dramatically was the technology surrounding it.

Her warning came during a major defence conference in Canberra, where senior military figures and security experts spoke about the increasingly uncertain environment facing Australia and the wider Indo-Pacific.

The government says it is investing heavily in submarines, missiles, drones, cyber capabilities and other defence technology.

Supporters argue these upgrades take years to build and that Australia is already moving towards a stronger and more modern Defence Force.

Critics may ask why one of Australia’s most senior incoming military leaders is still issuing such a serious warning after years of major defence announcements and billions of dollars in promised spending.

For ordinary Australians, the question is not about wanting a war.

It is about making sure the country is capable of protecting itself if the worst ever happens.

Australia is an island nation with a relatively small population, long supply lines and enormous territory to defend.

We also rely heavily on technology, international trade and cooperation with allies such as the United States.

That makes preparation and deterrence especially important.

What do you think?

Has the federal government done enough to prepare the Australian Defence Force for modern warfare?

Or has Australia spent too much time announcing future projects while leaving serious weaknesses in place today?