Chapter 5
UPDATE ON CAPABILITY
| THE ADF MUST BE ABLE TO MOVE LARGE DISTANCES ACROSS OUR REGION AND BEYOND....AND BE ABLE TO BE SUPPLIED AND SUPPORTED A LONG WAY FROM AUSTRALIA OVER SUBSTANTIAL PERIODS. |
The Defence Capability Plan (DCP) ensures the ADF is equipped and trained to meet the contingencies anticipated in Defence's strategic guidance. Fundamentally, Australia must be able to defend itself without relying on the support of allied combat forces, even though a direct threat to its territory is not likely in the near future. The ADF also must be able to lead and operate freely in our area of paramount defence interest, as well as operate with allies much further afield in pursuit of Australian national interests.
Those requirements mean the ADF must be able to move large distances across our region and beyond. And Defence must be able to supply and support ADF elements a long way from Australia over substantial periods - as is currently the case in Iraq and Afghanistan. Our ability to project forces in this way is highly valued within the region and by our allies. We can respond quickly and effectively to help relieve the devastating consequences of a tsunami, restore law and order in the Solomon Islands or help strengthen democracy in East Timor. Recent major decisions by the Government on future capabilities for the Army, Navy and Air Force will increase the capacity of the ADF to undertake operations in the region and contribute to operations around the globe. Our capabilities are becoming more networked, allowing greater flexibility, responsiveness and precision. Not only does that provide the ADF with greater strategic and operational weight but allows Australia to be able to make substantive contributions to allied efforts. Being interoperable with allies, particularly the United States, in terms of doctrine, communications and connectivity helps strengthen our own security and contributes to regional stability.
The dynamic nature of the strategic environment also means that a prudent Government must be ready to acquire new capability at short notice. Some of the capability decisions outlined below - the 'Enhanced Land Force' and the C-17 and Super Hornet decisions in particular - fall into that category. Such flexibility, and determination, in decision-making is a necessary part of responding to strategic change and managing our defence posture responsibly.
MARITIME
Our Navy must be able to establish sea control and operate freely within our region, while denying such freedoms to an opponent. The Navy's roles and missions range from border protection, enabling and support of stabilisation and reconstruction operations to traditional warfighting. While normally achieving this goal in concert with the Air Force, for maximum flexibility our Navy must be able to undertake this task by itself and for sustained periods without undue risk.
To help fulfill this mission Australia is acquiring three Air Warfare Destroyers (AWD) based on the Spanish F-100 design, at a cost of nearly $8 billion. The AWDs can act as a defensive barrier by providing air defence either on their own or in concert with our fighter and Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. A key element of network-centric operations, they will be a strategic force that will enable the Navy to operate freely in our area of paramount defence interest. Not only will the AWDs be able to undertake a range of traditional warfighting roles, but they will have a potential ballistic missile defence capability, and the versatility to provide command and control facilities in support of humanitarian missions and other tasks.
| THE GOVERNMENT MUST BE READY TO ACQUIRE NEW CAPABILITY AT SHORT NOTICE - WHEN WE BELIEVE THE CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT IT AND WE ARE IN A POSITION TO DO SO. |
The acquisition of two new amphibious ships, at a cost of about $3 billion, based on the Spanish LHD design, will provide the Government with a greatly improved ability to act decisively in our national interest around Australia and throughout the region. Each LHD will be able to deploy around 1,000 personnel with the helicopters and watercraft necessary to enhance the ADF's reach and operational impact in the region. The LHDs can support the new MRH-90 helicopter, the CH-47 Chinook helicopter, and the Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter now being delivered to the Army. Each ship will be equipped with significant medical facilities, including two operating theatres and a medical ward. In the event of regional humanitarian missions and support to stabilisation operations, and particularly when local infrastructure cannot meet needs, the amphibious ships will provide considerable secure and sustainable capability.
| OUR NAVY MUST BE ABLE TO ESTABLISH SEA CONTROL AND OPERATE FREELY WITHIN OUR REGION. WHILE DENYING SUCH FREEDOMS TO AN OPPONENT. |
Additionally, more than $3 billion is being spent on projects to upgrade the sensors and weapons of our Anzac and Adelaide class frigates, ensuring they remain at the forefront of regional naval capability. That includes a $500 million programme planned for the eight Anzac class frigates, to improve their air defence capabilities, to enable them to fire Harpoon II missiles, and so that in the future they will complement the capabilities of the AWD. To support general operations of the fleet, the Navy will replace the current Sea King fleet with MRH-90 multi-role helicopters and has recently commissioned new Armidale class patrol boats and the under way replenishment ship, HMAS Sirius.
Australia is working with the US Navy to develop large unmanned air vehicles (UAV) to support our maritime surveillance requirements. The DCP has made a provision of over $1 billion to acquire the UAVs, which will complement an ongoing manned aircraft fleet of the existing AP-3C aircraft. The Government has foreshadowed replacement of the AP-3Cs towards the end of the next decade at an expected cost of over $3.5 billion.
LAND
In a major strengthening of Australia's capabilities, the Government has provided around $5.6 billion to develop the ADF's Land Force. That includes the Hardened and Networked Army (HNA) initiative (approved at around $1.5 billion in 2005) and the recently approved 'Enhanced Land Force' initiative (approved at around $4.1 billion in 2006) that increases the size of the Army by one, and in time possibly two, infantry battalions. The HNA initiative greatly strengthens the Army's protection, mobility, fire power and communications, to allow it to operate in more complex, dangerous and uncertain environments. Both programs reflect the increasing demand on the Army in supporting reconstruction and stabilisation operations, the need to be able to operate with allies in coalition operations as well as more traditional warfighting roles. Land forces are also being strengthened by the introduction of a range of UAVs.
The Government will soon consider replacing the current fleet of over 7,000 ADF field vehicles at a cost of more than $2.5 billion. Responding to challenges emerging from recent Middle East operations, the Government has introduced remote weapon stations for Army vehicles and strengthened vehicles against attack by rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and improvised explosive devices (IED). Our deployed soldiers have been equipped with the highest standards of combat body armour. The Government is also upgrading existing weapon locating radars, currently being used to great effect in Iraq.
| RECENT OPERATIONS HAVE REINFORCED THE VALUE OF MANY TRADITIONAL ARMY CAPABILITIES WHEN OPERATED AS PART OF A COMBINED ARMS TEAM. |
Recent operations have reinforced the value of many traditional Army capabilities when operated as part of a combined arms team. Fifty-nine M1A1 Abrams tanks - the best in the world - are entering Army service at a cost of around $500 million. The Government is considering the next generation artillery system, which includes self-propelled protected vehicles and lightweight artillery, allocating over $400 million to this capability.
AIR
Capability guidance for the Air Force emphasises the need for a qualitative air combat edge - indeed, one of the highest priorities for the Government is to ensure the Air Force's air combat capability is second to none in our region. This goal will be guaranteed by acquiring the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), with the final acquisition decision to be considered by the Government in 2008. To guarantee our combat edge through the period of transition from the current fleet of F/A-18 A/B and F- 111 aircraft, a squadron of F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft has been acquired at a cost of over $6 billion. A highly capable multi-role aircraft, the Super Hornets will provide a more flexible operational capability than currently exists with the F-111, and a greater capacity to network with the other new capabilities being acquired for the ADF.
In the meantime, the current F/A-18 A/B Hornet fleet is undergoing a significant upgrade. Its life is being extended to maintain a high capability level through to the introduction of the JSF. The Government is improving the F/A-18 A/B's self-protection through a new radar warning receiver, jamming pod and flare and chaff dispensers. It is also being fitted with all-weather precision-guided munitions and stand-off missiles. The total investment in improvement to the F/A-18 A/ B fleet is over $1 billion.
The arrival of the first C-17 Globemaster in December 2006, and the second in May 2007, represents a major boost to the ADF's strategic airlift. The C-17 is able to carry up to four times the load of a C-130 - including the M1A1 Abrams tanks, Australian Light Armoured Vehicles and Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters - over twice the distance and much more rapidly.
| ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES FOR THE GOVERNMENT IS TO ENSURE THE AIR FORCE'S AIR COMBAT CAPABILITY IS SECOND TO NONE IN OUR REGION. |
The Air Force's reach is being extended through the introduction of five Multirole Tanker Transports from 2009, significantly enhancing the range and endurance of the fast jet fleet, AEW&Cs and C-17s.
The capacity to undertake strategic strike remains a key component of the Government's Defence strategy. Defence is currently moving from a strike capability built primarily around the F-111 to one based on the more stealthy and versatile JSF.
| SIGNIFICANT FUNDING SUPPORT IS ESSENTIAL TO ENSURE OUR INTELLIGENCE CAPABILITIES KEEP PACE WITH TECHNOLOGY. |
COMMAND, CONTROL AND NETWORKING
A key challenge faced by the ADF is to ensure it is able to perform complex military leadership roles in our own region and, when called upon, to participate in global coalitions. As mentioned, the Headquarters Joint Operations Command, currently being built in Bungendore, represents a decisive strengthening of a joint approach to planning and conducting operations. This will be further enhanced through the introduction of six AEW&C aircraft from 2009 and the Government's initiative to harden and network the Army. Defence continues to make good progress towards its force networking goals.
There is an emerging need to focus on 'cyber- warfare', particularly capabilities to protect national networks to deny information.
Space is increasingly critical to our command and control capabilities. Defence has been enhancing our maritime satellite communications and information connectivity. In Western Australia, Defence is examining the establishment of another satellite ground station to provide a more robust capability. Agility and adaptability in modern warfare rests significantly on advanced navigation systems, particularly Global Positioning Systems (GPS). The Government has invested around $100 million in navigation systems that are resilient to GPS jamming.
INTELLIGENCE
High-quality, timely intelligence is essential to enable Defence to meet the challenges of the new security environment. Significant funding support is essential to ensure our intelligence capabilities keep pace with technology. The Government has committed to strengthen Defence's intelligence and security capabilities to better protect Australia. This includes investment in strengthening Defence's cryptographic protection of communications.
Since 2001, the Government has invested heavily in the Defence intelligence capability. There has been around 30 per cent growth in civilian personnel as well as moderate increases in military staffing in the intelligence agencies. In the last six years an additional $165 million has been spent on intelligence capabilities, with a further $190 million to be invested over the next four years.
SUPPORTING AND SUSTAINING OUR FORCES
Defence's logistics agencies and supporting infrastructure play a vital role in sustaining our forces, providing the Government with increased options for the use of the ADF. Over the last year the Government invested significant resources to enhance the Defence logistics information management capability.
Defence is also working to improve its financial and personnel management systems in line with the outcomes of the Defence Management Review.
Summary
The Defence Capability Plan ensures the ADF is equipped and trained for the tasks demanded of it by the Government, as established in the Government's strategic guidance. Since the last Update, improvements have been made or are in train to improve the ADF's reach, flexibility, survivability and lethality, and to expand the range of options open to the Government in the use of force in pursuit of Australia's national interests.
