Capability boost
Volume 11, No. 44, June 01, 2006

A 40 PER cent boost in funding for Army networking projects is part of the $51 billion major capital equipment plan flagged by the Government to roll out over the next decade.
Defence Minister Brendan Nelson outlined the Defence Capability Plan (DCP) 2006-16 at the Defence and Industry Conference in Canberra on June 20.
Dr Nelson said the Government planned to evaluate the proposals over the next decade,
Some of the major features of this DCP which affect Army are:

• A 40 per cent boost in funding for Army networking projects as part of the Hardened and Networked Army initiative. The networking enhancements will support Network Centric Warfare capability and are to be introduced across most Army units. Better understanding of the requirements of the Land 17 phase 1 project means that Army’s 105mm and 155mm artillery replacement will be safely deferred for three years while Army’s Ground-Based Air Defence capability will be enhanced from around 2018 to 2020 in a new project valued at more than $750 million.
  
• Greater funding for the ADF’s military satellite communications capability with more than $1 billion to be invested in next-generation satellite and ground station infrastructure to ensure continuity of service and flexibility through digital content.
  
• Continued improvements to Defence’s core enterprise systems including a new improved logistics management system project valued at more than $350 million and operational in 2012 to 2014.
  

“This DCP is fundamentally affordable and achievable,” Dr Nelson said. “The proposals it contains are essential to deliver the capability required by the ADF to maintain Australia’s security.

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