Annual Report 2004-05

Outcome Two: Navy Capabilities

Mitigation of key risks

Logistics

The Navy's ability to support the current force structure and to meet preparedness requirements has continued to improve. An injection of $104.9m in 2004-05 was applied to critical unfunded logistic requirements leading to an overall improvement in preparedness. The establishment of the Defence Materiel Organisation as a prescribed agency will provide important opportunities to improve the transparency of costs and allocation of resource priorities in the sustainment of operations.

Operations and Reconstitution of Forces

The Navy continued to meet all operational commitments within the high tempo of concurrent operations, while remaining aware of the requirement to reconstitute and maintain the full range of Navy capabilities. Reconstitution was completed for force elements returning from operations, while capability and preparedness for high end warfighting skills were enhanced with the conduct of major exercises in 2004-05 including Exercise Rimpac 2004 and Exercise Talisman Sabre 2005.

Air Warfare Capability

The Adelaide-class guided missile frigate upgrade program, designed to improve area air warfare and anti-ship missile defence capabilities, was progressed with the first vessel, HMAS Sydney, proceeding to sea trials. The anti-ship missile defence upgrade for the eight Anzac-class frigates was approved by the Government in September 2005. The Government chose the Australian Submarine Corporation as the builder for Australia's new air warfare destroyers in May 2005 and chose Gibbs and Cox as the preferred ship designer in August 2005. The destroyers will provide an area air warfare capability from 2013.

Submarines

Submarine capability enhancements were progressed by the full-cycle docking of HMAS Waller. The docking is scheduled to be completed in November 2006. The introduction of the new heavyweight torpedo, Project SEA 1429, was progressed towards an initial operating capability in late 2006. HMAS Waller will be the first submarine fitted with the replacement combat system and integrated with the upgraded sonar system, during the full cycle docking in 2006.

Anti-ship Strike

The introduction into service of the Super Seasprite helicopters continued. Projects to upgrade the Anzac-class frigates with a Harpoon missile capability and the acquisition of an enhanced Harpoon missile were progressed during 2004-05.

Undersea Warfare

A mid-life upgrade for Seahawk helicopters was progressed during 2004-05. This upgrade will enhance their effectiveness in undersea warfare. A partial Seahawk sensor upgrade will occur over the period 2005 07. The introduction of a new lightweight torpedo for the Navy's guided missile frigates, the Anzac-class frigates, the Super Seasprite and Seahawk helicopters was progressed during 2004-05. Improvements to the warfighting capabilities of submarines, including the anti-submarine capability, were progressed during 2004-05.