At first glance, it’s just another military drill — paratroopers falling from the night sky, artillery booming across the outback, fighter jets screaming overhead.

But Exercise Talisman Sabre, which is now underway in Central Queensland, is anything but routine.

Over 40,000 troops from 19 countries are taking part, including the US, France, Germany, Japan and the UK.

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It’s a global show of force and designed to send a clear signal to any potential aggressor: Think twice.

Yet behind the power and precision lies a confronting truth.

A former top defence strategist has warned Australia is “nowhere near prepared” for a real conflict in the region — especially one involving China and Taiwan.

Mike Pezzullo, who once led Australia’s defence planning, says the chances of war breaking out over Taiwan within two years are as high as 50 percent.

And if the US gets involved, he believes Australia would have little choice but to follow.

“This isn’t fearmongering,” Pezzullo tells 7NEWS.

“It’s about being realistic. If conflict starts, it won’t end in Taiwan. We’ll all be affected.”

In tonight’s exclusive report, 7NEWS takes you inside the war games, the intelligence, and the warning signs, including what a modern-day war could look like, and where Australia is exposed.

From vulnerable undersea internet cables to missile defence blind spots, from fuel shortages to untested technology. How would we really cope?

And as the AUKUS submarines remain years away, and with defence spending still low by global standards, Pezzullo says Australia must urgently shift its mindset.

“Plan A is always diplomacy,” he says. “But if you want peace, you have to prepare for war.”

Watch the full story by Chief Reporter Chris Reason — only on 7NEWS tonight LIVE at 6pm.