AIR6502 Phase 1 Medium Range Ground Based Air Defence

As a component to the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) Integrated Air and Missile Defence Program, the Medium Range Ground Based Air Defence project will deliver a ground-based, middle-layer, area air defence capability, designed to deter, deny and/or defeat air and missile threats. 

The system will be designed to operate both independently or while integrated with other elements of the ADF Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability and will counter a range of current and emerging air and missile threats.

The Defence Strategic Review describes an enhanced, all-domain Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability as critical to the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

A foundational element of Defence’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence capability is the Joint Air Battle Management System being delivered under project AIR6500 Phase 1.

The Air Battlespace Management systems provide command and control functions delivering air defence in the interest of Australia’s national security.

LAND 19 Phase 7B will deliver Army’s new Short Range Ground Based Air Defence system, which will form a component of the Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defence (JIAMD) capability.

This project will replace the current Short Range Air Defence (SHORAD) capability, including the RBS-70, as the Army's principal air defence weapon. While the new capability  will be able to operate independently, it will be designed to operate as the inner layer of the broader JIAMD capability.