Defence

Army

Fitting out the force

Soldiers on operation need equipment that is safe and fit for purpose in a constantly changing environment. Army Headquarters works closely with other Defence groups and industry to provide equipment that is amongst the leading, in some cases the best technology, provided to troops on operation around the world.

Photo by CPL Robert Nyffenegger

By Jennifer Reilly

Equipment Manager - Army, LTCOL Nick Stanton, is the primary contact for routine and operational Army procurement. Working closely with his peers in the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), LTCOL Stanton works to coordinate the identification, procurement, production and testing of a wide array of equipment.

Canberra, and even Australia, may seem a long way away to soldiers in theatre, but the work undertaken here has a direct impact on operations in areas such as East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Iraq, and Indonesia. LTCOL Stanton speaks of the recent upgrade of Australian light armoured vehicles (ASLAVs) for deployment in Iraq.

"We had six weeks to bring 40 ASLAVs up to the highest level of maintenance and enhancement available for the task at hand. Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Group organised prompt approval of supplementary funding, and we made the deadline with two days to spare after recruiting a workforce supplement from Joint Logistics Command, Army and industry contractors both in Australia and overseas. You could say that every mum and dad in Adelaide able to weld was making bar armour. This is a great example of the entire Defence community working together and getting behind the troops on operations," says LTCOL Stanton.

"Army has a continuous working relationship with other Defence Groups including DMO, CFO, Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO) and Capability Development Group as well as Defence-related industry bodies," says LTCOL Stanton. "We are at the point where we have proven we have the Defence and industry networks and knowledge to meet our unforeseen materiel needs in a timely manner."

When operational requirements are identified and developed, Army Headquarters seeks funding through CFO and coordinates procurement with a central contact at DMO. Equipment designed in conjunction with industry is rigorously tested to ensure that it is safe and fit for the identified purpose and environment, and is delivered to theatre as soon as is safely possible. Army continues the cycle by requesting enhancements identified both on the ground and through scientific testing at DSTO.

"The technical support network facilitated through DMO is crucial for obtaining priority support from industry bodies. The attitude of people across Defence at all levels of management generates extraordinary industry support, enabling us to prioritise Defence requirements and amend production lines so we can meet the needs of our people on the ground," says LTCOL Stanton.

"While DMO provides a materiel solution to equipment requirements, DSTO creates enhanced design and unique requirements, developing next generation equipment not made by anyone else in the world," continues LTCOL Stanton. DSTO supports Army directly as well as through DMO and by employing industry to develop capability.

Feedback from soldiers is also incorporated into enhancements to ensure we give them the equipment they want. Requests through the chain of command often run parallel to scientific investigation conducted by DSTO and capability needs identified by CDG. "Body Armour Mark I was acquired very quickly in response to a growing number of attacks on personnel, and has already saved the lives of Australian soldiers," says LTCOL Stanton. "Body Armour Mark II, developed in Australia, is complete and will soon be utilised by our troops in Iraq".

"We are certain that the equipment we provide to our people is safe, fit for purpose, and amongst the best equipment provided to troops in operations around the world. We're already looking ahead at next generation body armour and Phase IV ASLAV, and will continue to assess and implement acquisitions and enhancements to achieve maximum operational capacity and save the lives of our people on the ground," concludes LTCOL Stanton.

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