White Paper is a good outcome:CN

White Paper is a good outcome:CN

December 11, 2000

The Defence White Paper represents a "good outcome" for the Royal Australian Navy following its much-awaited release last Wednesday the Chief of Navy, VADM David Shackleton, said.

"All ANZAC class ships will be upgraded as will Collins class submarines, while downstream we have the government's commitment to replacement of the FFGS with air capable destroyers," said VADM Shackleton following the paper's release.

"In a wider Australian Defence Force sense, the improvements for the army and air force are also very welcome because it will improve their capability to operate with us in a joint maritime environment."

VADM Shackleton is also pleased with the White Paper's recognition of people issues, stating that recruiting and retention remain two of the highest priority issues facing the RAN.

"Other issues for navy are to ensure we have the right equipment and that it is up to date and again the WP provides a program for that to be acquired," he said.

The recent leadership conferences also provided a major stepping stone in the formation of the White Paper objectives.

Plan blue

"Other aspects of navy issues over the last year or so are considerable progress in our planning processes, in part the development of the navy's long-range Plan Blue and the shorter range Plan Green. In the case of Plan Blue, although still in draft format, it has been particularly useful in informing on the development of this White Paper. Much of what is in the White Paper is consistent with our plan," said VADM Shackleton.

With one of the key findings of the White Paper Community Consultation Team being that "the first and foremost task for the ADF is the defence of Australia"

Very low

As a result, the White Paper says that while the threat of a direct attack on Australia was "very low", such an attack cannot be ruled out.

However, with the continuing instabilities of our regional neighbours commanding most attention in recent years, the essential elements of the White Paper deal directly with these two issues - firstly protecting ourselves while also keeping our regional interests secure.

As a result, naval forces will become more capable over the coming decade due to a number of well established trends, both international and domestic.

The most noted trend is that of the proliferation of high-capability anti-ship missiles such as Harpoon, Exocet and Russian equivalents. As a result, a number of regional countries have acquired more sophisticated anti-ship missiles with longer range, better guidance and more capable systems which allow several missiles to be launched at a target simultaneously from different directions.

The number of types of platform that can launch these missiles has also increased to include not just ships but submarines and several types of aircraft. The White Paper establishes that these trends "are expected to continue over the current decade".

Missiles

For example, we can expect to see supersonic anti-ship missiles enter service in several countries in the region over that time and the capability to target ships at long range will improve. Regional navies will also deploy improved defences against these missiles on their ships.

Another key development for the Navy is the expansion of submarine capability in the region.

VADM Shacketon went on to speak of other issues.

The future

According to VADM Shackleton, the navy in 10 years from now will be a modern and capable force, comprising a range of ships, submarines, helicopters and systems required to operate in the vast maritime areas around Australia.

"There are significant improvements and upgrades to virtually all areas of our capability and also significant improvements expected for condition to our people," he said.

Funding

"Things like education and training have been foreshadowed in the White Paper along with adjustments to our remuneration, superannuation and so on. Taken all to0gether, the future for the navy and Defence3 Force looks very bright and i9t would be an excellent career option for young Australians to consider".

The overall spending on the maintenance of current maritime capability is planned to average around $3.5 billion per year over the decade, though not all of this is directly attributable to the Navy because the maritime force also includes, for example, air force capabilities such as the maritime patrol aircraft.

The expected capital costs of the enhancements will total around $1.8 billion over the decade.

Additional personnel and operating costs will amount to $300 million for the same period.

Government requirements

The Government's primary goal from Navy's point of view is to maintain an assured maritime capability.

It also intends to contribute to maritime security in our wider region, to protect Australian ports from sea mines and to support civil law enforcement and coastal surveillance operations.

Questions and answers

VADM Shackleton also gave the following answers to questions in relation to specific issues from the White Paper:

Q: What is the happening with the acquisition of air defence destroyers?
A: "The White Paper outlines a plan to replace the FFGs with a new class of air capable destroyer of at least three air capable ships. These ships will be bigger and more capable than the FFGs. The project to acquire these will begin in 2005-06."

Q: Can you outline plans for the east and west fleet bases and when they will get the go-ahead?
A: "The White Paper advocates that where possible, bases should be co-located to reduce posting turbulence. Although not specifically addressed in the White Paper, the current fleet basing will not change, while the issue of class basing was recently addressed by CNSAC (CN's Senior Advisory Council) and is currently being reconsidered with there being no immediate plans to change the current basing of the frigate force. The location of fleet base east at Garden Island again is not addressed in the White Paper and while these things always remain under review there are no current plans for any changes in the foreseeable future."

Q: What is happening with the 15 Fremantle class patrol boats?
A: "It is planned that a project will start next year to replace the Fremantles as they are decommissioned."

Q: Are there provisions for more onboard helicopters, including the troop carrying Sea Kings?
A: "The current plans are for the Sea Kings to continue operating for their life of type and the White Paper then outlines plans to acquire an additional squadron of 12 troop helicopters for army forces operating from MANOORA and KANIMBLA. Those helicopters will probably replace the Sea Kings."

Q: Would you like to see a fourth ship to boost the trio of TOBRUK, MANOORA and KANIMBLA?
A: "There are no plans for fourth ship. In the White Paper the government has committed to replacing TOBRUK at around 2010 and also replacing MANOORA and KANIMBLA at their end of service at around 2015."

Q: Does the White Paper funding increase allow for RAN personnel to increase?
A: "The White Paper foreshadows an overall increase in defence personnel in uniform from 51500 to 54000. However most of that is army, so we don't anticipate any increase to navy. In efforts to improve recruitment and retention, we would aim for navy to meet its workforce ceiling requirements and indeed the White Paper has committed to funding increases of 2% per annum growth in the defence real per capita personnel costs. In addition they have provided separately for additional personnel costs associated with specific equipment enhancements. So what that means is there are number of initiatives to attract and retain people and there is commitment to funding to cover those initiatives."

Q: Is 'fitted but not with' to continue when purchasing new ships or equipment that has been around for a long time?
A: "No. The government believes Australia needs to maintain defence capability in a fully developed form. This means, for example, the ANZAC anti-ship missile defence improvements and other ANZAC enhancements will go ahead."

In conclusion…

"The White Paper fits perfectly with Navy's vision to have a worldwide reputation as a sea power and a well equipped professional team of highly motivated people, serving Australia with honour," said VADM Shackleton.

The key points

Maritime forces will be strengthened and enhanced.
Major program of ship construction - building 29 news ships in 15 years.
All ships to be upgraded - especially ANZACS to be provided with a reasonable level of anti-ship missile defence and other enhancements.
A new class of at least three air-defence destroyers to replace guided missile frigates from 2013.
Specialist ships will replace HMAS WESTRALIA and SUCCESS when they pay off. MANOORA, KANIMBLA and TOBRUK also to be replaced at end of life.
Six new Landing Crafts Heavy (LCH) on the drawing board.
A new class of 15 patrol boats will be purchased quickly.
All six Collins class submarines to be brought to a high level of capability, with major improvements to the platform and combat systems. This will continue at Australian Submarine Corporation facilities in Adelaide.
Commitment to the mid-life upgrade of the Seahawks based at HMAS ALBATROSS, Nowra.
Strong naval presence remains at Darwin, with upgrading of the patrol boat capability.
Renewed focus on recruitment and retention of skilled personnel to maintain a professional, well-trained, well-equipped force that is available for operations at short notice, and one that can be sustained on deployment over extended periods.
Issues such as a greater emphasis on tailored remuneration packages, location stability issues, education, training and professional development have also been addressed.
Surface combatants: Commencing 2001 with completion by 2007, all ANZAC frigates will be upgraded with improved anti-ship missile defences and other enhancements including the fitting of harpoon missiles.
The FFGs plan to be replaced from 2013 by a new class of at least three air defence capable ships. It is expected that these ships will be significantly larger and more capable than the FFGs. The project is scheduled to commence in 2005-06.
Submarines: all six Collins Class submarines will receive major platform and combat system improvements. The first boat with the new combat system is planned to be available in 2005-06. A new, more capable heavyweight torpedo is planned to enter service around 2006.
Aviation: The Seahawk major mid-life upgrade will commence around 2003.
Amphibious and afloat support: Two of a new class of purpose built support ships will replace HMAS WESTRALIA when she pays off in 2009 and HMAS SUCCESS in 2015. It is planned to replace HMAS TOBRUK in 2010 and HMA ships MANOORA and KANIMBLA in 2015. Options to retain access to the unique capabilities of catamarans such as HMAS JERVIS BAY will be studied. The six landing craft heavy and 15 army landing craft medium will be replaced.
Patrol boats: A project will start next year to provide a new class of patrol boat to replace the Fremantles as they are decommissioned. The new boats are expected to enter service from 2004-05.
Hydrography: As you would be aware the Hydrographic FEG has received significant investment with the recent commissioning of HMAS LEEUWIN and MELVILLE. Routine improvements and upgrades to current capability can be expected to continue.
Mine warfare: The MCD FEG is undergoing a period of major new investment, with the intorduction to service of the Huon class. Routine improvements and upgrades to current capability will continue.
Other ADF capability enhancements: The White Paper provides enhancements to the army, air force and defence information capabilities, which will improve our ability to conduct joint operations in a maritime environment. Details of these can be found in the white paper and other defence news releases.

By Michael Weaver