Annual Report 2004-05

Outcome Three: Army Capabilities

Capability Performance Information

Output 3.5 Capability for Ground-Based Air Defence

The ground-based air defence capability contributes to the strategic tasks of supporting wider interests, defending Australia, securing our immediate neighbourhood and supporting peacetime national tasks. This is achieved by providing a capability that is versatile and able to defend airspace in conjunction with other land and joint elements. The ground-based air defence capability provides air defence weapon systems at high to medium readiness, that can be deployed on land or on ships to protect high-value targets from air attack. The capability can also be deployed as part of a combined arms team. This capability is drawn from the 16^th Air Defence Regiment based in Adelaide, South Australia, which maintains a ground-based air defence system consisting of RBS-70 shoulder launched missile systems and Rapier missile systems.

	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.	Partially Achieved. The ground-based air defence capability was unable to meet all preparedness requirements as directed in the military response options. Ammunition deficiencies and personnel shortfalls in critical trades affected levels of preparedness and sustainment for all military response options. Ammunition deficiencies are being resolved, with the first batch of replacement missiles arriving during 2004-05. Personnel shortages in critical trades are being rectified through recruiting programs and other initiatives.
	Achieve a level of training that maintains core skills and professional standards across all warfare areas.	Substantially Achieved. Most training activities were achieved.
	An air defence regiment.	This target was partially achieved. The ground based air defence capability had insufficient ammunition stocks to fully achieve all capability requirements. A reduced but credible capability was provided.