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| SAAB RBS-70NG mounted on a Thales Hawkei |
by Gordon Arthur
The topic of ground-based air defence (GBAD) and integrated air defence attracted much attention at Land Forces 2016 in Adelaide, although potential vendors are awaiting an RfT to learn more about how Australia will approach this jigsaw.
The 2016 Defence White Paper called for a deployable short-range GBAD system to replace the Saab RBS 70 MANPADS by the early 2020s. Furthermore, new medium-range GBAD missiles will be acquired in the mid-to-late 2020s. These contribute to project Land 19 Phase 7B.
Another consideration is project Air 6500 that will have two phases to replace the Vigilare air defence C2 system and to shape long-range air defence.
The sentiment of industry is that an RfP for Land 19 Phase 7B will appear in late 2016/early 2017. The previously issued RfI sought a sensor suite, effector suite (i.e. missiles) and C4I system that can absorb the existing functionality of Phase 7A.
There is considerable interest from vendors. For example, a spokesman confirmed to Shephard that MBDA is proposing EMADS for the short-to-medium range, and Mistral MANPADS for the lower level.
The former, which stands for Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solutions, has options for both the CAMM and CAMM-ER, which give a layered defensive range of 25km for the former and 45km for the latter. The UK is introducing the CAMM, which uses a soft vertical launch, as its Rapier replacement.
Importantly, Australia already has a foundation upon which to build a capable air defence network, which is what Saab is counting on for further involvement. Australia has the RBS 70, recently updated with IFF Mode 5, and Giraffe AMB radars.
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| Australian Giraffe Radar with MAN Truck in Afghanistan |
Australia purchased the Giraffes plus SRCTec Light Counter-Mortar Radars as part of Land 19 Phase 7A as an urgent requirement for counter-rocket, artillery and mortar (C-RAM) purposes to protect troops in Afghanistan. However, these give only a sense and warn capacity, with no ability to kill incoming rounds.
These could form the basis of a more expansive system, a Saab Australia spokesman informed Shephard. ‘A little extra work can expand capability considerably,’ he said, plus a layered system could be phased in step by step. For example, the 9LV combat management system used on the navy’s upcoming Air Warfare Destroyers could be integrated.
Read the full story at Shephard