Annual Report 2004-05

Outcome Two: Navy Capabilities

The Navy provided maritime forces that contributed to the ADF's capacity to defend Australia, contributed to regional security, supported global interests, shaped the strategic environment and protected national interests. Navy capabilities provide maritime patrol and response, interdiction and strategic strike, protection of shipping and offshore territories and resources, maritime intelligence collection and evaluation, hydrographic and oceanographic operations, combat search and rescue, and escort duties. Peacetime activities include maritime surveillance and response within Australia's offshore maritime zones, hydrographic, oceanographic and meteorological support operations, humanitarian assistance, and maritime search and rescue.

Performance Summary

During 2004-05, the Navy maintained support for the ADF's involvement in operations ranging from the war against terrorism to maritime surveillance, sovereignty patrols and hydrographic operations. The Navy has achieved routine and operational goals including commitments to:

• Operation Slipper -the contribution to the United States-led operation against international terrorism and the multinational maritime interception in the Persian Gulf;
• Operation Sumatra Assist I and II -the contribution to the whole-of-government humanitarian aid mission to Indonesia following the tsunami devastation to West Sumatra;
• Operation Catalyst -the contribution to the United States-led coalition for stabilisation and recovery operations in Iraq;
• Operation Cranberry -the coordination of intelligence and providing surveillance information to the civil authorities that are operating in northern Australia;
• Operation Relex II -the conduct of air and surface patrols across Australia's northern approaches to deter unauthorised boat arrivals;
• Operation Anode -support of coalition police forces to restore the rule of law in the Solomon Islands; and
• Southern Ocean support to fisheries law enforcement-continued support to Australian fisheries law enforcement in the Southern Ocean.

The Navy continued to devote effort to reconstituting skills not exercised in operational roles and training and recuperating its workforce. The Navy substantially maintained sufficient combatant forces, amphibious and afloat support ships, submarines, and mine countermeasures forces to deploy on operations, as required in military preparedness directives. The Navy also provided considerable support to collaborative single Service, joint, and combined training, including participation in a variety of bilateral and multilateral exercises in Australia and overseas. These activities enabled the Navy to successfully operate with allied and regional armed forces to undertake operational tasks.

During 2004-05, Navy capability development progress was achieved in area air warfare and anti-ship missile defence, afloat support and amphibious lift, and undersea and littoral warfare through the related capability development projects.