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Hardened and Networked Army - an Army for now and the future

By Lieutenant Colonel Sean Ryan

In recent times, the Australian Defence Force has been successful in missions such as the Australian-led coalition in Timor-Leste and as part of coalition operations in Bougainville, Afghanistan, the Solomon Islands and Iraq. During these missions the Australian Army has learned valuable lessons. These lessons have included the fact that high operational tempo is likely to be maintained for the foreseeable future and that the battlefield has become a more complex and lethal environment.

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The combined arms approach - where different elements of the Army work together - will be enhanced under HNA.
Photo provided by Army

These lessons have prompted the Army to undertake research into its ability to meet the challenges of the new millennium. This research has resulted in the Hardened and Networked Army (HNA) initiative.

HNA is also a response to the requirements of the Defence 2000 White Paper and the 2003 and 2005 Defence Updates, which recognise that land forces are to have sufficient firepower, protection and mobility to provide clear advantage in any likely operations in defence of Australia or its interests. Strategic guidance includes the need to be able to sustain a brigade size group of operations for extended periods, such as Operation Warden to Timor-Leste, while retaining the ability to deploy a battalion size group for other contingencies, like the combined arms force mounted for the Solomon Islands.

HNA is an initiative principally aimed at providing depth and sustainability to the Army in meeting the requirements of the 2000 Defence White Paper and Defence Updates. It is based on the philosophy of the combined arms approach to combat whereby infantry, armour, artillery, aviation and engineers work together to support and protect each other.

On 15 December 2005 the Government announced its endorsement of the HNA initiative as part of the launch of the Strategic Update 2005. This represents a significant boost to the Army and is recognition of the increasingly important role the Army is playing in service to the nation.

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Providing the best available firepower, protection and mobility to our soldiers is a key outcome of HNA.
Photo provided by Army

The Hardened and Networked Army initiative has seven major elements. They are:

  • The development and implementation of new force structures to support nine combined arms battlegroups. These force structures will be developed and implemented throughout the 10-year plan and will modify current structures to provide these battlegroups with a good balance of firepower, protection and mobility.
  • Increased Readiness. Personnel and equipment will be allocated to enhance Army's readiness and improve the posting options for soldiers and their families. The redistribution of equipment will provide for improved training opportunities and make maximum use of the new equipment to be delivered in the Defence Capability Plan.
  • The re-roling of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3 RAR). 3 RAR will be re-roled from a parachute battalion to generate a second mechanised infantry battlegroup in 2011. The battalion will be structured identically to 5th /7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment in Darwin, which has performed with distinction in Baghdad and Al Muthanna province in Iraq. This second mechanized infantry battlegroup will be equipped with M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers and Bushmaster Infantry Mobility vehicles and allow for greater sustainment and rotation in the Army's mechanised forces.
  • The relocation of a combined arms force to Adelaide. Approximately 1200 personnel from 3 RAR and other Army units will be relocated to form the second mechanised battlegroup in Adelaide. Whilst 3 RAR will form the core of the battlegroup, 'A' Field Battery from Sydney and personnel from 1 Combat Engineer Regiment and 1 Combat Service Support Battalion in Darwin will also be relocated to Adelaide. This decision follows a detailed examination of basing options. On the basis of the capability benefits of access to transport, training facilities and deep maintenance support, Adelaide provided the Army a balanced solution. This option has the added advantage of providing wider posting opportunities and an attractive location for Defence personnel and their families.
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    The soldier remains the core of Army. Increasing the size of Army under HNA will provide greater readiness and sustainability.
    Photo provided by Army

    Increasing the Army by 1,485 personnel. These personnel will be employed to provide the Army the much needed flexibility to sustain the brigade group and battalion group needs outlined in the Defence Update 2005. Army is working with Defence recruiting to refine current recruiting programs to accommodate Army's needs under the initiative. Army has also commenced external recruiting initiatives such as lateral recruiting from other militaries to recruit skilled personnel. Other such changes under HNA will also support retention of current personnel, such as the creation of the Adelaide combined arms force.
  • HNA provides the Army the opportunity to move from industrial age combat to information age operations. By using improved communication networks through newly acquired radios for individual soldiers through to battle management systems for commanders, Army will be able to exploit the advantages of information age technology.
  • The initiative will re-focus the Army Reserve and provide approximately 2,800 high readiness Reservists to support the Army's front line deployable units. The Army Reserve will be allocated tasks within Army's front line operational units to improve the Army Reserves relevance. There will be three categories of service within the Hardened Networked Army Reserve. Those categories are:
    • The High Readiness Reserve - will provide immediate reinforcement to first and second rotation regular forces.
    • The Active Reserve - will provide domestic security capabilities, round out third rotation forces as well as provide strategic depth.
    • The Standby Reserve - will provide a pool of individuals who possess critical skills that may be called upon in times of emergency.

The Hardened and Networked Army is a 10-year plan, starting in 2006. Further information is available on the Hardened and Networked Army website at www.defence.gov.au/army/hna/.

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