How we’ll be more capable

By Andrew Stackpool

ADF men and women at the front line will be provided with the appropriate capabilities to do the job that Government requires of them.

That is the succinct message from Lieutenant General David Hurley, Chief of the new Capability Development Group (CDG). “Future capabilities will come with all the necessary ‘bits and pieces’ included and be adequately resourced, sustainable and maintainable,” he said.

LTGEN Hurley, the former Land Commander, has a formidable task in front of him. The creation of the CDG is one of the reforms in the Kinnaird Report into Defence procurement procedures.

The reforms are a major package of measures intended to make the Defence procurement process more streamlined, business-like and accountable.
The CDG was formed to better ensure that the ADF’s capabilities match the Government’s strategic objectives.

It stood up on February 16.

The CDG will be responsible for taking capability proposals from initial identification of future capability requirements to final government approval for acquisition.

“Kinnaird directed us to improve the analysis that links strategic guidance to the capabilities we deliver and to improve the process by which projects are brought to the Government for approval,” LTGEN Hurley said.

“This is best done by grouping a number of the areas that dealt with capability development together under one head, giving him or her accountability and responsibility for the whole capability development process.”

LTGEN Hurley said that the group had been given six months to be up and running. “What the Government wants from us is better quality decisionmaking information to support capital investment decisions,” he said.

“There is a lot of work to do and much of this will be shaped by the changes that occur in DMO.

Our linkage with DMO is critical so we have to work together making sure we are in step together as the process changes.”

LTGEN Hurley will be Chief of CDG for three years.

The Secretary and CDF selected him, but the position can be filled by either a civilian or uniformed officer.

 

Key points about the group

LTGEN David Hurley, centre, in a meeting with some other members of the ADF Capability Development Group: LCDR Brian Lawlor, CAPT Adam Rankin, Cinthia Perez and SQNLDR Antony Martin.

Photo by LACW Simone Liebelt

CDG comprises:

• Capability Systems Division (Air Vice-Marshal Kerry Clarke). Comprises maritime, land, air and information capability Branches that deal with specific capability development,
• Capability, Investment and Resources Division (Dr Ralph Neumann). Conducts an independent analysis, including costing, of new capability investment proposals,
• Capability and Plans Branch (Brigadier John Cantwell). Plans and reports on current capability, preparedness and force structure changes.
• Director Trials. Transferred from DSTO. Incorporates test and evaluation roles. These will now be firmly integrated into the whole process.

Immediate challenges:

• To deliver on the Defence Capability Program, implement the improved processes for projects and physically establish/collocate the Group within Russell within a formal Chain of Command.

Priorities:

Over the next six months assist the Government in decisions on:

• selection of the design company for the new Air Warfare Destroyer;
• direction to on the selection of the amphibious ships to replace the LPA;
• Australia’s level of involvement in the multi mission maritime aircraft program to replace the AP-3C; and
• the selection of Army’s new Main Battle Tank.

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