Volume 48, No. 11, June 29, 2006
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Defence Minister Dr Brendan Nelson releases the Defence Capability Plan at the 2006 Defence and Industry Conference in Canberra.
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Photo by Kevin Piggott
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The Defence Capability Plan 2006-16 was announced by the Defence Minister on June 20. |
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The C-130H and Caribou aircraft fleets will be refurbished or replaced at a cost of about $1 billion. |
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The Hawk lead-in fighter will receive a $350-$450 million upgrade from 2017 to 2019. |
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Future upgrades for the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft are planned. |
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Some of the F/A-18 fleet will receive a structural refurbishment in the transition to the new air combat capability. |
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The multi-mission UAV project will receive additional funding of more than $250 million. |
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The planned withdrawal date of the AP-3C is proposed over 2015-2018. |
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More than $1 billion will be invested in next generation satellite and ground station infrastructure. |
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An improved logistics management system will become operational from 2012 to 2014. |
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AUSTRALIA’S air combat capability will receive a billion dollar boost over the next decade as part of the Federal Government’s major capital equipment plan.
Defence Minister Dr Brendan Nelson outlined the Defence Capability Plan (DCP) 2006-16 at the Defence and Industry Conference in Canberra on June 20.
The proposals will be evaluated by government over the next decade, Dr Nelson said.
Under the DCP, continuing projects to support Australia’s air combat capability are planned, including a $350-$450 million mid-life upgrade of the Hawk lead-in fighter from 2017 to 2019, and future upgrades of the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft.
Additional provision for structural refurbishment of the F/A-18 fleet has been made to ensure sufficient aircraft operational capability in the transition to the new air combat capability.
Building on the decision to acquire a heavy airlift capability, the DCP retains about $1 billion to refurbish or replace the C-130H and Caribou aircraft fleets.
More detailed analysis of the lifespan of the AP-3C means the decision to refurbish or replace the ADF’s maritime patrol aircraft can be deferred for two years.
The DCP also includes increased funding of more than $250 million for the Multi-Mission UAV project - AIR 7000 Phase 1B.
Some other DCP initiatives include 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. Also, continued improvements to Defence’s core enterprise systems, including a new improved logistics management system project, valued at more than $350 million, will become operational from 2012 to 2014.
“This DCP is fundamentally affordable and achievable. The proposals it contains are essential to deliver the capability required by the Australian Defence Force to maintain Australia’s security,” Dr Nelson said.
“The additional funding by government enables the DCP to address the rise in the price of military platforms and technology.
“When the projects in this public Defence Capability Plan are realised, our sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen will be well placed to counter the future threats to our way of life.”
