Counterintelligence for Hybrid Threats in Large-Scale Joint Operations

A Divisional Model from the Australian Defence Force

Authors

  • Henry Prunckun Charles Sturt University
  • Deakin Yates Australian Defence Force

Abstract

Democratic militaries face growing challenges from what are often labelled hybrid intelligence threats—intelligence-driven activities that combine espionage, cyber-enabled collection, insider enablement, and decision-shaping to gain decision advantage. This paper uses the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as a case study to consider how counterintelligence (CI) should be structured at the divisional level for large-scale, joint operations. Drawing on Prunckun’s theory of counterintelligence, it applies a strengths–opportunities analysis to ADF doctrine, allied practices, and historical cases to develop a principles-based CI posture. The article is normative and design-oriented: it advances a plausible organizational design under stated legal and command constraints rather than offering an empirically tested explanatory model. The proposed posture integrates CI practitioners into the divisional intelligence structure, standardizes joint CI processes at the operational headquarters, and links CI with psychological operations and defensive cyber measures at key planning stages. Within existing authorities, it also specifies conditions for limited offensive CI through deception and neutralization. The paper concludes with generalizable design propositions for democratic forces seeking to adapt CI to hybrid threats without presupposing new legislation.

 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors wish to thank Charles Sturt University for access to its invaluable library resources.

 

DECLARATION OF CONFLICTING INTERESTS

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest regarding the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

 

FUNDING

The authors advised that no financial support was provided for this article’s research, authorship, and/or publication.

Author Biographies

  • Henry Prunckun, Charles Sturt University

    Henry W. Prunckun, BSc, MSocSc, MPhil, PhD, is an Adjunct Associate Research Professor at the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Security. He is a methodologist who specialises in the study of transnational crime—encompassing espionage, terrorism, drug and arms trafficking, as well as cybercrime. He is the author of numerous reviews, articles, chapters, and books. He is the winner of two literature awards and a professional service award from the International Association of Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysts. He has served in various strategic research and tactical intelligence capacities within the criminal justice system during his 28-year operational career, including nearly five years as a senior counterterrorism policy analyst. Additionally, he has held several operational positions in investigation and security.

  • Deakin Yates, Australian Defence Force

    Deakin Yates is a Sergeant in the Australian Defence Force. With eleven years of experience, he has worked in tactical and operational combat intelligence roles in small teams, most recently in counterintelligence. He has conducted command-level counterintelligence functions and Joint Force operational counterintelligence within Australia and overseas. He has been commended for deployed operations. He is studying for a Master of Strategy and Security at the University of New South Wales, Australian Defence Force Academy.

    The views expressed in this paper are his own, and do not reflect those of the Australian Army or Department of Defence.

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Published

2026-06-25

Issue

Vol. 24 No. 4 (2026): Journal of Military & Strategic Studies

Section

Articles