Air defence boost

Air Defence Regiment members with an RBS 70.

THE Government has signed an $83 million contract to dramatically boost Australia’s ground-based air defence capability.

The contract with Saab Systems Australia is to supply short-range laser-guided missile systems to the Army to effectively double the ground-based air defence capability of the Air Defence Regiment in South Australia.

Minister for Defence Robert Hill said the Government would purchase additional RBS 70 weapons systems and Portable Search and Target Acquisition Radars. The project will also upgrade the existing RBS70 systems and replace the Rapier systems.

“The RBS 70 is the most modern man-portable Short Range Air Defence system available in the world.

“It offers very effective protection against low-level aircraft and helicopters and its laser rangefinder and optical sighting system is immune to radar jamming,” Senator Hill said.

“A version of the system has been in service with the Australian Army for 15 years. A troop of about 24 personnel is currently on operation in the Persian Gulf providing point air defence to HMAS Kanimbla and will return to Australia in July.

“This latest contract will complement other developments in air defence, including the forthcoming construction of a RBS 70 simulator system at Woodside to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of soldier air defence training.”
The aging Rapier system reaches the end of its life around mid-2005.

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