The Government’s Defence Budget has created the Special Operations Command to provide the ADF with unconventional warfighting and counter-terrorism forces, as demonstrated recently at Holsworthy Barracks by members of SOCOMD. Photo by Sgt Troy Rodgers, 1JPAU(P)

Challenge met with increased funding

The Government will increase spending on Defence by $2.1 billion over the next five years from 2002-03 to meet the challenges of the changed strategic environment and the increased tempo of ADF operations, Defence Minister Robert Hill said on May 13.

The funding increases Defence’s Budget to more than $15 billion, or about 2 per cent of Gross Domestic Product, and continues the Government’s 2000 White Paper commitment to an average real growth in Defence spending of 3 per cent over 10 years.

Additional funding has been provided to ensure the ADF is capable and well equipped to respond to the twin global threats of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, to operate in coalition operations, to respond to regional contingencies and to assist civil authorities.

To meet these new challenges, the Budget includes funding for the new Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) and faster growth in ADF personnel numbers.

The Government has also approved purchase of new air-to-air refuelling aircraft, Electronic Warfare Self Protection for a range of tactical aircraft and enhanced logistical support.

Key Budget initiatives include:

• An extra $1,145.1 million over five years from 2002-03 to boost logistics support to the ADF, recognising the increased repair, maintenance, training and operating costs of our high operational tempo.
  

This includes $244.3 million in 2003-04 to meet the costs of spare parts, repairs and maintenance for a range of major platforms, equipment and ordnance stock.

“The Government has recognised the need to boost logistics funding as a result of the high levels of activity and operational tempo of the ADF over the past two years,” he said.

“The extra money will ensure that the ADF continues to be able to maintain the most reliable platforms and equipment for current and future operations. It will also provide more ordnance stocks to provide increased training opportunities for soldiers.”

• An extra $644.7 million over three years to meet the estimated additional costs of Australia’s contribution to the coalition to disarm Iraq (Ops Bastille and Falconer) and Defence’s contribution to stabilisation and recovery operations (Op Catalyst). This includes $421 million provided in 2002-03.
• An extra $156.8 million to establish SOCOMD that will enhance Australia’s ability to respond to terrorist threats and boost Special Forces personnel numbers by about 330.
• An extra $102.8 million over three years to recruit more military personnel and improve retention rates in the ADF, accelerating growth towards the White Paper target of 54,000.
  

Senator Hill said in the past year, ADF personnel have been deployed in 13 separate operations around the world.

“The strength of Australia’s military forces has always been the quality of its people,” he said.

“The Defence Update recognised that retaining trained personnel and recruiting and training new professionals are key to turning our weapons and systems into capabilities that can meet the challenges of the new strategic environment – a judgment borne out by the ADF’s performance in Iraq.

“The ADF is experiencing better recruitment and retention than it has for some years. With current personnel numbers above planned levels, the increased funding will allow the Government to increase the force size earlier than planned.”

• An extra $70.7 million over two years to continue to enhance security at Defence bases around Australia through increased guarding, patrolling and protective searches.
• An extra $17.8 million to continue to protect Australia’s northern approaches through Op Relex II. This is in addition to the $18.7 million provided in 2001-02 and $22.3 million in 2002-03 to deter people smugglers and unauthorised boat arrivals.
• The purchase of electronic warfare self-protection systems for the C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters and ballistic protection for Sea King helicopters at a cost of over $250 million.
  

“The changed strategic environment and continuing uncertainty in our immediate neighbourhood mean that ADF involvement in our region is somewhat more likely than in the past.

“Electronic warfare self-protection measures are an important factor when determining the size and type of forces we could contribute to regional operations and potential coalition contributions.”

• The purchase of a new fleet of air-to-air refuelling aircraft capable of refuelling F/A-18, F-111 and Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft – a project worth more than $2 billion. The new fleet is expected to come into service in 2007.
  

“Air-to-air refuelling is a key capability for air combat operations as it is able to extend the range and endurance of combat aircraft.

“Our ageing B707 tankers played a valuable role in the war against terrorism, while the conflict in Iraq demonstrated the effectiveness of a precision air operation in overcoming the enemy and minimising casualties.”

• Defence will also spend $3.065 billion in 2003-04 on approved major capital projects that will increase ADF capabilities.
  

In addition, $358 million is planned for expenditure on new major capital projects and new phases of existing projects.

A Black Hawk fires electronic warfare self-protection devices

New projects announced

The Government has approved four new major projects that will shape the ADF, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced on May 13.

The RAAF will be equipped with a fleet of up to five new-generation air-to-air refuellers at a cost of more than $2 billion.

The new fleet will be capable of refuelling F/A-18, F-111 and Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft. They will also have a significant strategic air lift capacity when not engaged in aerial refuelling tasks, including the ability to carry passengers and cargo.

The new capability, to come into service in 2007, will replace the current fleet of Boeing 707 tanker aircraft which was identified as a limited capability in the Defence 2000 White Paper.

The second project will provide electronic warfare self-protection for a range of tactical ADF aircraft at a cost of over $250 million.

The new capability will involve upgrades to a range of aircraft including the Black Hawk, Sea King and Chinook helicopters and the C-130H Hercules transport planes. The first components of the new capability would be introduced from 2004 and the remainder from 2006.

“Our experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq convinced the Government to increase funding for the project so that more aircraft are fitted with systems to increase protection from anti-aircraft gunfire and missiles ensuring the safety of the crews, passengers and the aircraft themselves,” he said.

The third project worth over $50 million will further enhance self protection for Australia’s new fleet of Anzac frigates.

The Petrel Mine and Obstacle Avoidance Sonars detect mines and navigational hazards in sufficient time for ships to avoid them.

The equipment is the same as is being provided for the Navy’s Guided Missile Frigates.

As the next step, Defence will start negotiations within the ANZAC Alliance contracting framework for installation of the sonar, manufactured in Australia by Thales Underwater Systems.

The fourth project takes a further step in preparation for the acquisition and support of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and supporting systems.

It will also ensure maximum Australian industry participation in the global System Development and Demonstration phase of the Joint Strike Fighter program.

The project, worth over $30 million, will assist in the development of long term maintenance and support concepts for the JSF and help to develop the technical expertise that will allow Australian industry to support the ADF in operating the F-35 aircraft.

Ammunition for use by 4RAR(Cdo) while training in the MEAO. The Government announced in the Budget an extra $645 million to cover the costs of Ops Bastille, Falconer and Catalyst. Photo by Cpl Darren Hilder, 1JPAU(P)

More for people issues

The Government has allocated a further $100 million to address high-priority people issues in Defence.

The funding is on top of the $5.3 billion provided for ongoing support of personnel across the ADF, including salaries, allowances, housing and other conditions of service.

Accommodation for ADF members and their families will be substantially boosted in 2003-04 with more than $53 million set aside to provide ADF rental allowance for eligible single members to allow greater choice in the type and location of their accommodation.

Over the next three years DHA will embark on a capital investment program of more than $1 billion to replace and improve houses for married members of the ADF.

This will include an extra $56 million to construct or upgrade 250 homes at Puckapunyal and Sale and funding to complete a $20 million program to refurbish more than 200 homes at RAAF Base Tindal, Katherine.

Further living-in accommodation upgrades are expected in 2003-04 with works undertaken on a priority basis.
Budget 2003-04 initiatives include:

• $2.8 million for the Defence Employer Sponsored Childcare Program which will see new childcare centres completed at RAAF Williamtown, Newcastle and Holsworthy Army Base, Sydney, in 2003-04. The Federal Government will also fund increased childcare places in other centres for children of ADF members, and $800,000 will be provided for emergency childcare
• $449,000 to implement the Defence Injury Prevention Program in the Townsville area. A pilot of the program in 2001-02 resulted in a reduction in injuries of up 70 per cent at some bases
• $100,000 for professional fees or short courses needed by spouses of ADF members who move to a new location to help bring their skills to a required standard
• $1.19 million for further development of the ADF Alcohol Management Program which aims to improve education and understanding of alcohol related issues and improve the ADF’s treatment options
• $817,000 for the highly successful Defence School Transition Aides program to help minimise disruption to the education of children of ADF members due to postings and to help integrate children into their new school environment
• $3.16 million to implement the Learning Management System of the E-learning project to bring on-line training and education to Defence members
• $3 million to trial an air conditioning subsidy for families in Defence homes in Darwin for those months of the year when the climate is particularly harsh
• Developing and implementing electronic recruitment tools to enable on-line candidate screening, applications and marketing
• Developing a whole-of-Defence Occupational Health and Safety Plan
• Providing Internet access by members and families to the Defence Library system

Costs covered of MEAO campaign

THE Government has committed an extra $645 million over three years to cover the estimated costs of the pre-deployment of ADF elements to the Middle East, Australia’s contribution to coalition military operations to disarm Iraq (Ops Bastille and Falconer) and stabilisation and recovery operations (Op Catalyst).

Defence Minister Robert Hill said Australia had made an important contribution to combat operations and was now providing specialist assistance to help stabilise and rehabilitate Iraq so that the Iraqi people can receive the full benefits of their liberation.

He said the decision to deploy about 2000 ADF personnel had clearly been in Australia’s national interest. It had resulted in a safer global community by contributing to the elimination of weapons of mass destruction and bringing greater stability to the Middle East.

New compensation scheme to begin

The Government is committed to implementing a Military Compensation Scheme to replace the existing military compensation and repatriation systems for future ADF operations, according to the Minister Assisting The Minister for Defence Danna Vale.

“The Government will shortly release its draft legislation for the scheme, which will draw together elements of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988 and the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986 to create a stand alone scheme,” she said on May 13.

“The new scheme will provide an appropriate mix of compensation and rehabilitation to meet the needs of any ADF member who is injured in the course of their service.

“Subject to the passage of the legislation, the new scheme will apply to ADF members who are injured during military service or deployments after the date of commencement of the new legislation.

“Budget provision for the new legislation will wait on the result of consultation with the ex-service and veteran community on the detail of the bill, recognising that Budget effects will principally arise in years beyond the forward estimates period.”

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