Australian Defence Force

[The Armchair Soldier]

Australia to spend $270b building larger military to prepare for 'poorer, more dangerous' world

Australia will build a larger and more aggressive military focused on its immediate backyard, including new long-range missiles, signalling a major shift in the nation's defence strategy.

Read More: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-30/ ... y/12408232

[SKB]

And China will be funding it with all the land and resource purchasing they've been doing there....

[R686]

And China will be funding it with all the land and resource purchasing they've been doing there....

Not for much longer if they continue to spit the dummy out every two minutes

[Mercator]

This was interesting too:

The cutting-edge Jindalee Over-the-Horizon radar, long relied upon as an early-warning system for advances from the north and west, will be boosted to provide surveillance of the east coast.

[Mercator]

The full reports/statements:
https://www.defence.gov.au/StrategicUpdate-2020/

[Mercator]

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN...
Upgrade the Hunter class frigates throughout their service life to ensure tactical superiority and commonality across the fleet; and

Build a replacement for the Hobart class destroyer following the completion of the Hunter class frigate build, to sustain the Navy’s air warfare capability while also supporting the Government’s continuous Australian shipbuilding model

So nine T26 becomes twelve, probably, with the last three having mk41 launchers coming out their arse.

[Mercator]

Also on shipbuilding...

To further expand the ADF’s ability to support an increased presence in the region, Government’s plans include:

• Design, development and acquisition of two Australian-built multi-role sealift and replenishment vessels to replace HMAS Choules. This will greatly extend Navy’s ability to project and sustain the joint force;

• Life extension of Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Protector and the acquisition of a replacement vessel with an ice-rated hull capable of operating in the Southern Ocean, as well as the acquisition of another vessel built in Australia to support the Australian Government’s Pacific Step-up initiatives; and

• The acquisition of a support and salvage vessel to enable the recovery and at-sea repair of large warships.

plus

• Enhancements to mine countermeasures and hydrographic capabilities through the acquisition of up to eight additional vessels, built in Australia – potentially based on the Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessel design

I think that means Henderson in WA becomes a big ship production capability, though another line in Adelaide is possible too. My political instincts have WA for the win.

https://www.defence.gov.au/StrategicUpd ... e_Plan.pdf

[Mercator]

A couple of other graphics

AIR



E-7A Replacement in less than a decade. Or so they hope. Still, yikes!

[Mercator]

LAND

[SW1]

It’s an interesting list, I could see were there could potentially be a number of collaborations if they decided to enter development with the uk.

[ArmChairCivvy]

plus

• Enhancements to mine countermeasures and hydrographic capabilities through the acquisition of up to eight additional vessels, built in Australia – potentially based on the Arafura class Offshore Patrol Vessel design

There was talk about a joint prgrm but as we here get nothing done (well, with hulls; kit is advancing in leaps and bounds) I guess that is now history?

[Lord Jim]

The full reports/statements:
https://www.defence.gov.au/StrategicUpdate-2020/

I just wish we had some people with an actual spine here in the UK. Almost everything stated could be cut and pasted into a statement about the UK's position, only adding Russia alongside China. Both no longer play by international rules as we have to accept this when looking a possible threat in future. Australia seems to be finally waking up to this and making moves to maximise its available capabilities, both existing and planned, and most importantly realises that it needs to increase spending on defence.

[SW1]

Australia is repositioning to secure its own back yard. The UK should doing exactly the same.

The interesting thing is it’s focus is on long range strike, aar, air transport and intelligence gathering assets exactly what the UK should be focusing on.

[ArmChairCivvy]

The UK should doing exactly the same.

The interesting thing is it’s focus is on long range strike, aar, air transport and intelligence gathering assets

Yes, but within the overall force structure we have a hefty focus on those, barring long range strike.

What I found the most interesting statement was that plans must stop being just for the next two decades, and have more focus also on the next two years.

[SW1]

The UK should doing exactly the same.

The interesting thing is it’s focus is on long range strike, aar, air transport and intelligence gathering assets

Yes, but within the overall force structure we have a hefty focus on those, barring long range strike.

What I found the most interesting statement was that plans must stop being just for the next two decades, and have more focus also on the next two years.

While perhaps not for this thread more the uk sdsr one I’m not entirely sure we do have a focus on those.

[ArmChairCivvy]

more the uk sdsr one I’m not entirely sure we do have a focus on those.

Everything is relative, let's do the int'l comparison on the other thread. But without boots on the ground, it is all...

[Jensy]

Another 'happy' NH-90 customer...

The Royal Australian Navy’s 808SQN based at HMAS Albatross near Nowra will soon replace its Airbus MRH 90 helicopters with a new utility helicopter.

ADBR understands the new capability will replace the small fleet of six MRH 90s taken on by Navy to replace its Westland Sea King Mk50/A in 2011 under Project AIR 9000 Phase 6. Industry sources claim the small fleet of MRH 90 helicopters – despite being identical to the 41 machines operated by the Australian Army – is difficult to sustain, especially when embarked at sea, and that these machines will be absorbed by Army.

Link:
https://adbr.com.au/navy-to-get-new-utility-helicopter/

[R686]

Another 'happy' NH-90 customer...

The Royal Australian Navy’s 808SQN based at HMAS Albatross near Nowra will soon replace its Airbus MRH 90 helicopters with a new utility helicopter.

ADBR understands the new capability will replace the small fleet of six MRH 90s taken on by Navy to replace its Westland Sea King Mk50/A in 2011 under Project AIR 9000 Phase 6. Industry sources claim the small fleet of MRH 90 helicopters – despite being identical to the 41 machines operated by the Australian Army – is difficult to sustain, especially when embarked at sea, and that these machines will be absorbed by Army.

Link:
https://adbr.com.au/navy-to-get-new-utility-helicopter/

Whilst we have had some teething problems, this decision really is a no brainer. ADF Taipains are not marinised and as the article suggests comes at a fair amount of maintenance whilst at sea.

Considering the ASW rotary asset is the Sikorsky MH-60R which is marineised it makes sence to replace with MH-60S for the utility role which has the upside of its capability to be armed with hellfire.

[abc123]

They should have bought the BH/SH from the start.

[Mercator]

As noted in E-7A thread, an interesting interview. Raises more questions about many programs, but clear they are serious -- especially about UAV teams.
https://www.australiandefence.com.au/ne ... nvestments

Slightly earlier than the Growler replacement, in the 2025 timeframe, Defence will spend the first of up to $6.7 billion on an ‘additional air capability’. This funding is a separate stream to the Teaming Air Vehicles program, which will see up to $11 billion invested from 2026, so what is an additional air capability?

“A capability edge in the air is critical for Australia. The future air fleet will be focussed around the F-35A Lightning II, the F/A-18F Super Hornet and the EA-18G Growler. Despite our confidence in these aircraft, it is important that we continue to look for opportunities to expand our air combat capability,” AVM Roberts said.

“The Force Structure Plan provisions for the development of additional air combat options, especially in remotely-piloted or autonomous systems. This is an area of development where we expect to see rapid change in years to come, and it is important we stay abreast of technology. A number of options will be considered, including teaming systems, loitering munitions, and a future electronic attack capability.”

[seaspear]

I came across this article discussing the options available to the then government in choosing the next fighter it claimed there was even a modified f22 on offer interesting claim
https://australianaviation.com.au/2018/ ... ter-fleet/

[Little J]

The Department of Defence (DoD) in Canberra announced on 13 July that it will procure an additional 8,500 Enhanced F88 (EF88) Austeyr 5.56 mm rifles to supplement the 30,000 rifles

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news ... eyr-rifles

To be honest, I'm surprised its only an additional 8,500...

[Lord Jim]

How many do you think they need. The Regular forces already have them and most of the additional buy is the equip the Reserves. I amy be wrong so hopefully one of our members closer to the story could elaborate on how the introduction of the EF-88 is gong and how many more may actually be needed?

[R686]

The Department of Defence (DoD) in Canberra announced on 13 July that it will procure an additional 8,500 Enhanced F88 (EF88) Austeyr 5.56 mm rifles to supplement the 30,000 rifles

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news ... eyr-rifles

To be honest, I'm surprised its only an additional 8,500...

Yep when you consider that the entire ADF is only about 86000 strong they should be replacing the stock one -one plus a capbilty to expand on a worst case event

[Lord Jim]

I suppose the existing F-88 Rifles could be sufficient to equip 2nd line troops. This is still a pretty good weapon if getting a bit old and to be fair the jump to the EF-88 is more an evolution rather than a revolution. Hope fully they will keep procuring batches of the new Rifle over time, or decide to adopt a next generation weapon like that the US Army is developing for its front line troops and pass the then existing EF-88s to other units. I am pretty sure I have read somewhere that like the UK, Australia is keeping an eye of the US Army programme.