Annual Report 2004-05

Outcome Three: Army Capabilities

Capability Performance Information

Output 3.2 Capability for Medium Combined Arms Operations

The medium combined arms operations capability contributes to the strategic tasks of supporting wider interests, defending Australia, securing our immediate neighbourhood and supporting peacetime national tasks. The capability for medium combined arms operations is achieved by providing mechanised and light armoured forces to enhance combat power and weight for more demanding contingencies using surprise, offensive action and concentration of force in order to disrupt or destroy enemy forces' plans, cohesion and morale. It achieves this through engaging the enemy in close combat enabled by force protection and integral firepower.

The medium combined arms operations capability provides forces at high to medium readiness. These forces can be deployed in combined arms teams from company to battalion size. These combined arms teams are drawn from armoured units, mechanised infantry, medium artillery, combat engineers, army aviation and combat support units. This capability is based on the 1^st Brigade in Darwin, Northern Territory.

	Performance Targets	Performance
	Achieve levels of preparedness directed by the Chief of the Defence Force for military response options with a warning time of less than 12 months, including the provision of a battalion-sized group within 90 days readiness.	Partially Achieved. The medium combined arms operations capability was unable to meet all allocated preparedness requirements for military response options in this reporting period. Deficiencies in equipment, personnel numbers in key trades, and commitments to operations affected preparedness levels for some response options. Nevertheless, a credible level of capability was available for all of the military response options and this was evidenced by the deployment of the Al Muthanna Task Group, the contribution to the Security Detachment in Baghdad, and the provision of combat engineer support to tsunami relief operations in Sumatra. Equipment deficiencies and personnel shortages continue to be addressed, including the acquisition of upgraded ASLAVs, a new main battle tank, an upgrade of the M113 and personnel retention and remediation initiatives.
	Achieve a level of training that maintains core skills and professional standards across all warfare areas.	Partially Achieved. A number of training activities had to be reduced in scope due to operational commitments. Personnel shortages in a number of key trades, and equipment deficiencies continue to affect the achievement of some core skills.
	1st Brigade, comprising: - a brigade headquarters; - a tank regiment; - a cavalry regiment; - a medium artillery regiment; - a combat engineer regiment; - a combat support regiment; - a mechanised infantry battalion; and - a combat service support battalion.	This target was substantially achieved. The medium combined arms operations capability continued to have deficiencies in personnel and equipment holdings that affected its capacity to complete all the likely tasks required of it. In 2004-05 the Army implemented measures to address the personnel deficiencies and these will take effect in 2005-06.