Army Budget boost

Volume 11, No. 43, May 18, 2006

THE Army will receive $1.5 billion in funding under the Hardened and Networked Army (HNA) initiative, announced in the May 9 Federal Budget.

That was just one of several budget initiatives Army will benefit from, including the allocation of $194 million to recruit and retain ADF personnel and $181.6 million for a more capable High Readiness Reserve.

Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said a well-equipped and resourced Army was essential to the defence of Australia.

"In this Budget the Government has provided the Army with an additional $1.5 billion funding over the next decade," Dr Nelson said.

"This will ensure the Army is of sufficient size and strength and has the right equipment to meet the challenges of an increasingly demanding strategic environment."

The HNA initiative would improve combat power, sustainability and survivability of the Army in operational conditions. Consequently, the Army would be able to perform in more diverse roles and environments with increased flexibility and a greater range of response options.
The $1.5 billion will allow the Army to:

• restructure the Army, based on combined-arms battle-groups with increased protection and firepower;
• increase the Army's strength by 1485 men and women to improve the sustainability of deployed forces;
• re-role 3RAR to a mechanised battlegroup and relocate it from Sydney to Adelaide;
• optimise the use of equipment being delivered through the Defence Capability Plan; and
• re-role, re-train and re-task the Army Reserve to provide direct support to Army's operational units.
  

Reservists will receive enhanced pay and conditions.
$194 million will be spent over four years on measures to expand military workforce numbers.
The measures are designed to address shortages in 25 critical trades across the ADF and to provide temporary relief through the backfilling of vacant military positions.

The recruitment and retention package includes retention and completion bonuses.

There will be a strong focus on Holsworthy, with funds set aside for SF training facilities, stage one of Special Operations working accommodation and base redevelopment, and the relocation of 171 Avn Sqn.

Civil works, building construction and base infrastructure upgrades at Holsworthy will provide working accommodation and upgrades to support SF units at a cost of $62.4 million. Another $11.1 has been allocated to continuing construction of ranges and supporting infrastructure to provide specialised training ranges and training facilities to support SF units.

Stage 1 of the Special Operations working accommodation and base redevelopment will provide facilities to support a full-time commando capability, including TAG (East), the IRR and Special Operations Command elements, along with the upgrade of base infrastructure.

Kokoda Barracks will receive $45 million for supporting base infrastructure upgrades and working accommodation construction.
The project to relocate 1 Avn Regt to Robertson Barracks has been allocated $82 million and will include purpose-built working, training and domestic accommodation facilities.

There has also been a 40 per cent boost to funding for Army networking projects as part of the HNA initiative. .