It's full ahead For MCDFEG
July 24, 2000
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The Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Force Element Group (MCDFEG) embraced the change, adapted and has continued to make steady progress towards developing a formidable capability.
The MCDFEG is now nearing the end of a major program to re-establish the Mine Warfare Force after the 1991 Force Structure Review called for a high priority to be given to its development. The capability features five "arms" based on influence sweeping, minehunting, clearance diving, mining and command support. It is the clear focus of the MCDFEG to deliver this capability in order to satisfy the Government's strategic requirements.
The need. Australia is a relatively isolated maritime nation, with an extensive coastline and a significant number of major ports and maritime approaches. It is heavily reliant on overseas and domestic shipping trade. In the mid-1990s Australian ports were trading in excess of $51 billion worth of goods and services. This statistic alone provides ample demonstration of the significance and importance of the Australian maritime approaches.
The strategic review of 1993 stated: "The closure of major northern ports would have important implications for the sustainability of ADF operation in the north. The approaches to all Australian ports are susceptible to mining." This identified that not only did the safety of Australia's maritime approaches have significant implications for the economy but also for defence.
The assets. In response to this requirement there has been significant government expenditure to satisfy a balanced mine countermeasures (MCM) capability. The first two Huon class coastal minehunters (MHCs) are in service with the sixth (and final) ship expected in service by late 2002. ADI has continued rapid development of the Australian Magnetic and Acoustic Sweeping System (AMASS), which is proving to be a highly effective and easily deployable influence sweep. It has also attracted significant interest from overseas and could be regarded as a potentially successful export commodity.
HMAS WATERHEN has been completely rebuilt to provide a holistic support package for the new MHCs. The Mine Warfare faculty features combat and platform system simulators and extensive computer based training that would compare favourably with any other facility in the region, if not the world. The Mine Warfare Command Support System centre will be fitted with highly effective mission analysis tools to provide the command with the clearest possible perspective for decision making.
Both Australian Clearance Diving Team (AUSCDT) One and Four provide the MCDFEG with numerous specific skill sets that make them highly desirable contributors in any exercise or operation. Specifically the AUSCDTs provide a diving capability for mine identification, recovery and exploitation, as well as very shallow water survey and clearance. Their explosive ordnance disposal and demolition skills also have proven invaluable in both ship-borne and land based situations.
The contribution. The MCDFEG's contribution to Australia's security is clearly apparent. Once fully operational the six MHCs will operate in conjunction with other MCM assets to ensure the safe transit of naval units and commercial shipping through Australia's maritime approaches and, in certain contingencies, further afield. In peacetime the force will gather essential environmental data and exercise along the shipping routes, all in preparation for conflict or tension that will require these routes to be clear of mines to remain open.
It is, however, the MCDFEG's less apparent roles that provide significant contributions to Australia's support of regional interests and influence of strategic events. Many of the peacetime tasks such as participation in bilateral and multilateral exercises, staff and student exchanges, and two-way ship visits are conscientiously undertaken by the FEG.
Furthermore, the start of overseas visits by the MHCs this year signifies the intent of the FEG to promote a participative approach to activities within the region. The presence of a minehunter in regional waters symbolises a willingness to participate with regional forces to improve MCM capability and ensure the safe passage of vessels within the region. The contribution by the MCDFEG to regional (and global) engagement both in participation and posture cannot be questioned. AUSCDTs and MCM vessels are deployed to participate in numerous exercises and operations annually with many different countries.
In pursuing the goal of delivering a highly effective capability the FEG has exposed some potentially lucrative business opportunities that have arisen as a result of domestic industry excellence. It has been widely recognised that Australia is the world leader in underwater acoustic imagery. This acoustic imagery will allow positive identification of underwater contacts in waters of low or no visibility. The impact this technology can have on MCM operations is immense. It is currently being trialed in the mine disposal vehicles on board HMAS HUON and if successful could attract significant interest from many overseas countries.
The AMASS system of towed dyads to influence acoustic and magnetic mines is a relatively low cost and easily deployable alternative for a nation that has surrounding waters that may not be conducive to effective minehunting. Consequently it has also attracted interest from overseas.
Conclusion. Successive strategic reviews conducted within Australia over the past 10 years have consistently emphasised the importance of developing an effective MCM capability. Major Defence projects, conscientious training and significant research and development have resulted in a capability that will provide influence sweeping, mine hunting, clearance diving, mining and command support.
The capability will satisfy the requirement to undertake three of the basic tasks for which the Government needs military forces. Additionally, the MCDFEG can provide the assets that will contribute to cooperative regional engagement. Through the efforts to develop an effective MCM force some potential business opportunities have been exposed in the export of defence technology.
The AMWCDG has adapted to the Navy Change Program and has a clear vision to be recognised as the best such force in the region. It is a well-equipped force of highly trained highly motivated men and women to deliver the required capability.