Think Tank: Sea, air, land and space updates (23'May-2017)

Zoe Glasson, Sophie Qin, Madeleine Nyst and Patrick Kennedy

Sea State

At last week’s International Maritime Security Conference in Singapore, Rear Admiral Lai Chung Han, Singapore’s Navy chief, announced a number of initiatives designed to promote regional submarine operational safety, including a US$7.1m upgrade to the RSN’s submarine rescue ship. The MV Swift Rescue is the only ship in Southeast Asia with the capability to conduct ‘collective rescue and transfer of distressed submariners while under pressure’. Singapore’s Defence Ministry has warned submarine proliferation would increase the risk of ‘miscalculations at sea’—it said the number of submarines in the western Pacific is projected to rise from 200 to 250 within eight years, with China alone set to grow its fleet from 62 to 78 by 2020.

Fancy building the US Navy of 2046? An app developed by CSIS lets you try your hand at just that! Integrating Navy budget data and accounting for key factors such as unit acquisition cost, capacity constraints and current procurement and inventory plans, the app aims to be an ‘interpretable analytic model of the Navy’s force structure’. And it’s pretty user-friendly: simply ‘slide’ your way to a 355-ship navy by using the controls to add or subtract everything from aircraft carriers to support vessels.

Think Tank: Sea, air, land and space updates (2-May-2017)

Image: Flickr User - James Good

Zoe Glasson, Sophie Qin, Madeleine Nyst and Patrick Kennedy

Sea State

How many sheep does it take to sink a Russian naval ship? Turns out, about 9,000. The “research ship” (read: intelligence collection vessel) Liman was sunk in the Black Sea on Thursday after a collision with a merchant freighter carrying sheep. All 78 Russian crew members were rescued by the Turkish Coast Guard and the Togo-flagged Youzarsif-H suffered only minimal damage. The accident occurred about 30km northwest of the mouth of the Bosphorus, which was closed due to poor visibility. Currently the only route to the Mediterranean from Russia’s Black Sea bases, the oft-choked strategic entry-point is considered to be driving Russia’s active search for ‘military bases along the Mediterranean’.

China’s Defence Ministry seemingly turned a PR blunder into a PR save last week, after posting a poorly photoshopped image on their Weibo and WeChat accounts to mark the PLAN’s 68th birthday. The picture depicted the Liaoning aircraft carrier, plus warships, fighter jets and submarines, but—as internet users were quick to point out and ridicule—the warships were American vessels, and one of the aircraft Russian. Apologising, the Ministry’s spokesman said the image and unfavourable comments would remain online as a ‘warning’ to the editors. This is apparently the first ever public apology for an error, prompting messages of praise from internet users for being ‘magnanimous’ and ‘bravely accepting responsibility’.

News Report: Get Smart - Indian Army to Rely on Better Tech to Defend Bases From Terrorists

The newly-appointed head of the Indian Army recently announced what strategies would be used to minimize casualties suffered during terrorist attacks at military camps. General Rawat said the deployment of more soldiers in and around military bases would only result in additional casualties.

New Delhi (Sputnik) – General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Staff of the Indian Army, recently emphasized that if steps are taken to improve the defensive capabilities of military camps, less soldiers will be needed to protect them from the threat of terrorist attacks. Military camps have become prime targets of terrorists since last year. In his first press conference in New Delhi since assuming office January 1, General Rawat said that the army had to come up with better solutions to defense than the commitment of additional troops.

AUS: Government invests $14 million in Defence technology

Seven Australian organisations will receive Australian Government funding of $14.2 million to develop and demonstrate innovative technologies that can enhance defence capability.

The funding is made available under the Capability and Demonstrator Program managed by the Defence Science and Technology Group.

Seven technology proposals from Australian companies, universities and science organisations have been selected this year to demonstrate possible defence application.

These proposals have the potential to advance Defence capability, produce innovative products for Defence and civilian use, and stimulate Australian industry growth.

AUS: Budget 2015 - Defence Budget Overview

The 2015 Budget is part of the Commonwealth Government’s plan to build a strong, safe and prosperous future for all Australians. The first responsibility of Government is to keep our people safe in an uncertain world.

In the 2015 Budget, the Government will continue to make a significant investment in the safety and security of all Australians.

This Budget continues to deliver on the Government’s commitment to increase Defence spending to two per cent of GDP within a decade and builds on the Government’s promise to provide Defence with a stable and sustainable funding growth path.

This path for growth reverses the damage done by Labor, which ripped $16 billion from Defence, reducing Defence spending as a percentage of GDP to the lowest level since 1938.

Think Tank: Sea, air and land updates (5-May-2015)

Amelia Long, Palmo Tenzin and Sarah Hately

Sea State

This week’s release of ministerial advice under freedom of information laws has revealed that by discussing the high likelihood of Japan winning the SEA 1000 contract last year, Prime Minister Abbott acted against advice provided to government by the Department of Defence. Defence’s overwhelming preference was for the submarines to be built in Australia by ASC. Defence labelled a local build Australia’s only option for ‘assembly capability’, though it conceded that an international design partner would be required.

Also on future submarine fleets, The Diplomat released a piece on Thailand’s quest for three new submarines by 2020. The Bangkok Post reported on the possibility that the committee will propose to buy Chinese subs over other nations in contention, including South Korea, Russia, Germany and Sweden.

AUS: Major improvements announced to soldier survivability equipment

More than 20,000 Australian Defence Force personnel are set to be issued with new and improved personal protective equipment, with the announcement today of a $170 million upgrade to the soldier’s kit.

Announcing the roll-out at the Australian Defence Force Academy, Defence Minister David Johnston said the multi-million dollar roll-out would significantly enhance the capability of ADF personnel deployed on military operations.

“Known as Land 125 Phase 3B, the Defence project to improve a soldier’s individual load carriage equipment, draws on the direct experience and feedback derived from 15 years of ADF combat operations,” Senator Johnston said.

“This (program) will increase soldier mobility and endurance through the acquisition of lighter and better integrated components and materiel,” he said.

News Story: Australia Decides What To Keep, Donate or Dispose

By NIGEL PITTAWAY

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — As Australian forces leave Afghanistan, military logisticians must determine what equipment to bring home, what to donate to Afghan or remaining coalition forces, and what to dispose of in situ.

In a speech to the Land Warfare Conference in October, “From Broomsticks to Blast Gauges,” then-Defence Minister for Materiel Jason Clare outlined the task ahead. Announcing that the drawdown would occur over the following 12-15 months and be completed by the end of 2013, Clare said, “There are still big challenges in front of us. As we draw down, we will have to bring equipment home [and] this is a massive logistical exercise in its own right.”

Clare revealed that a logistics team had been working on the task since the beginning of 2012.

“We have around [AUS] $2.8 billion (US $2.57 billion) worth of materiel in Afghanistan. This includes around 1,600 accommodation modules, 600 shipping containers, 350 vehicles and around 3,500 computers,” he said.

“Some equipment will be flown out on C-130s and C-17 heavy lift aircraft [but] the vast majority will be shipped using commercial freight arrangements.”

Equipment to be returned includes the Army’s Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles, personal body armor, counter rocket, artillery and mortar systems, and some of the relocatable hardened structures, but some items are likely to be placed into storage on arrival home.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

AUS: Minister for Defence Materiel – Opinion Piece

What is a soldier issued with when they go to Afghanistan? Before I started this job a year ago I had no idea. I’ve since learned its 105 different items, worth about $9,650. Everything from boots to body armour.

Soldiers push a shopping trolley through the Defence kitting store to collect it all. It’s my job to make sure they have what they need in those shopping trolleys.

The equipment our soldiers have in Afghanistan is very different to what they had ten years ago. It is very different to what they had one year ago.

This year we have rolled out new body armour, new combat uniforms and longer range machine guns. We have also upgraded our Bushmaster vehicles in Afghanistan to make them even safer.

Earlier this year we also installed a counter rocket system at Tarin Kot (and at a number of our forward operating bases) to warn troops of rocket attacks. So far this year they have provided advanced warning of 23 attacks.

All up we are spending more than $1.6 billion on new equipment to better protect our troops in Afghanistan. It’s a lot of money. I think it’s money well spent – it’s saving Australian lives.

No one knows what a soldier needs in Afghanistan better than someone who has been there. That is why we have set up Diggerworks – a team of scientists, engineers and soldiers who have recently returned from Afghanistan. Their job is to fix problems identified by our troops.

It is led by Colonel Jason Blain who commanded our soldiers in Afghanistan last year.

Twelve months ago the biggest concern our soldiers had with equipment was body armour. It was heavy and designed for patrolling in vehicles in Iraq – not patrolling on foot in Afghanistan. It was also very bulky which made it difficult for soldiers to use their rifles.

The team at Diggerworks worked with Australian industry and fixed this. They developed new lighter body armour called TBAS – and our soldiers are now wearing it in Afghanistan.

When I spoke to our soldiers about it in Tarin Kot a few months ago they were very happy – they said it made it easier for them to do their job.

Soldiers have also asked me for changes to their combat helmets to make it more comfortable and easier to wear. Diggerworks has responded by putting more padding and a better chin strap on all the helmets in Afghanistan.

Is everything perfect? No. There is a lot more to do, particularly in the area of IEDs – improvised explosive devices. These are the homemade bombs the Taliban bury in the road and along pathways.

Early next year we will start operating trucks with ground penetrating radars. These trucks will drive at the front of convoys to detect IEDs buried in the road. We are also delivering new unmanned surveillance aircraft to give our soldiers better information about the areas they operate in.

Today  the Prime Minster will update the Parliament on the work our troops are doing in Afghanistan. They are doing an incredible job in a very difficult place.

We have lost 11 brave young men in the past year. We have a duty to honour their memory and protect their mates.

Most of them won’t be home before Christmas. So as you push your trolley around the supermarket this Christmas, think about the soldiers pushing a trolley through the kitting store picking up their equipment, and the work they are doing for us.

AUS DoD

AUS: Minister for Defence Materiel visits Afghanistan, the United Kingdom and Spain



Minister for Defence Materiel
Jason Clare



Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare has visited Afghanistan accompanied by Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs.

The Minister and Chief of Navy met with Australian Defence Force (ADF) and US commanders and troops at Multi-National Base Tarin Kot, Camp Baker in Kandahar and Al Minhad Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.

They were briefed by: Major General Angus Campbell, Commander, Joint Task Force 633; Colonel Robert Akam (US Army); Commander, Combined Team Uruzgan; Colonel David Smith, Deputy Commander, Combined Team Uruzgan; Lieutenant-Colonel Chris Smith, Commander Mentoring Task Force 3; and the Commander of the Special Operations Task Group.

They were briefed on ADF operations across the Middle East Area of Operations, focusing on the work in Afghanistan and Navy’s contribution to Taskforce 150 in the Persian Gulf.

They were also briefed on the recent insurgent attacks on the compounds of the Governor of Uruzgan and a local security chief in Uruzgan Province on 28 July 2011.

The Minister also met with the Governor of Uruzgan, Haji Omar Shirzad, at Multi-National Base Tarin Kot.

In Tarin Kot and Kandahar the Minister and Chief of Navy were briefed on the implementation of force protection measures, including: the new TBAS combat body armour; upgrades to Bushmaster vehicles; the Counter Rocket Artillery Mortar (C‑RAM) system; work to harden accommodation and workspaces in Tarin Kot; and the Heron and ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capability.

Counter Rocket
Artillery Mortar
(C‑RAM) system

They were also briefed on the arrival of the next rotation of two Australian Chinook helicopters into Afghanistan. The Chinooks arrived in June and commenced air operations earlier this month.

The Minister and Chief of Navy are now in the United Kingdom for meetings with Defence officials and representatives from Defence industry.

In the United Kingdom they will meet with:

• Gerald Howarth MP, UK Minister for International Security Strategy;
• Mr Bernard Gray, UK Chief of Defence Materiel;
• Rear Admiral Steve Lloyd, UK Chief Strategic Systems Executive, MOD;
• Mr Richard Paniguian CBE, Head of UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation;
• Mr Keith Smith, Regional Director Asia Pacific, UK Trade and Investment Defence and Security Organisation;
• Dr John Coles, BMT Defence Services, who will lead the recently announced review of submarine sustainment in Australia;
• Commodore Paul Cunningham, Head of Disposal Services, MOD;
• Mr Guy Griffiths, Group Managing Director – International, BAE Systems;
• Mr Archie Bethel CBE, Chief Executive, Babcock Marine & Technology Division;
• Mr Craig Lockhart, CEO Babcock Pty Ltd, Australia; and
• Mr Mike Homer, Managing Director Submarine Operations, Babcock Marine & Technology Division.



Largs Bay amphibious ship

They will also inspect the recently acquired Largs Bay amphibious ship and the British submarine sustainment facility at HMNB Devonport in Plymouth.

Following this they will inspect work on the hulls of the two new Landing Helicopter Dock Ships currently under construction in Ferrol, Spain. While in Spain they will also meet with:

• Constantino Mendez, Spanish State Secretary of Defence;
• Luis Cacho, CEO Navantia;
• Mr Paco Baron, Vice President for Commercial and Industrial Cooperation, Navantia;
• Mr Domingo Urena-Raso, Head of Airbus Military; and
• Miguel Morell, Senior Vice President, Airbus Military.



Canberra-class LHD
(under construction)



Navantia are building the hulls for two Canberra-class LHD amphibious ships and are platform designers for the Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer.

Airbus Military is the prime contractor for Australia’s multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) refueller aircraft.

AUS DoD

Ballistic plates for combat body armour – made in Australia

Ballistic plates for combat body armour to protect Australian troops can now be made in Australia thanks to the development of new manufacturing technology.

Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced the new technology during a visit to the CSIRO in Melbourne today.

“Body armour is one of the most important elements of a soldier’s personal protection. It offers protection from ballistic threats like small-arms fire and fragments from improvised explosive devices,” Mr Snowdon said.

“The ballistic plate inserted into body armour is made from an advanced ceramic material that is incredibly strong for its weight. The stronger and lighter the ballistic plate, the better protection it provides to our soldiers.”

New technology to manufacture the ballistic plates has been developed through a partnership between:

·        The Defence Materials Technology Centre;

·        Australian Defence Apparel (ADA);

·        The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(CSIRO); and

·        The Victorian Centre for Advanced Materials Manufacturing (VCAMM).

Australian Defence Apparel will soon be able to manufacture the ballistic plates at their factory in Bendigo.

Mr Clare said that most ballistic plates used by the ADF are currently imported from the United States.

“Manufacturing these plates in Australia has big advantages. It will allow for new technology to be prototyped quickly and for product development to occur in Australia,” Mr Clare said.

“Thanks to the hard work of the scientists, engineers and Australian Defence Industry here we now have a world-leading product that can be produced here in Australia.”

The Defence Materials Technology Centre is a not-for-profit company jointly funded by the Commonwealth Government’s ‘Defence Future Capability Technology Centre’ program, the Victorian Government, and industry and research body participants. 

The Centre brings together defence industry, universities and government research agencies to develop new materials and manufacturing technologies that will enhance Australia’s defence capability.

AUS DoD

AUS: Measures to protect troops in Afghanistan

Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that a new Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Sense and Warn system has been delivered and is currently in operation at the multi national base Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan.

Defence Minister Stephen Smith said the new system provides early detection of attacks from enemy rockets, artillery and mortars and replaces the previous capability provided by the Singaporean Armed Forces. Delivery of the C-RAM follows on from Australia assuming responsibility for early detection against rocket, artillery and mortar attacks at the base from 28 December 2010.

“The early warning provided by the C-RAM system greatly enhances the survivability of Australian and other ISAF forces from these attacks, providing increased warning of an imminent attack to enable them to take appropriate shelter”.

“The provision of the new capability is part of the package of initiatives worth $1.6 billion we committed to following the Force Protection Review and underlines the commitment to provide our troops with the best available equipment.”

“Of the 48 recommendations made by the Review, 40 are now complete or on track. They include enhanced counter IED measures, better armour and heavier calibre weapons for our Bushmasters, the placement of medics with each platoon operating in Afghanistan and the introduction of 1000 sets of lighter combat armour,” Mr Smith said.

The Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare said the new C-RAM Sense and Warn capability consists of a leased Giraffe radar, a number of lightweight counter mortar radars and Command and Control and warning equipment.  Additional C-RAM systems will be progressively deployed to Afghanistan including a number of lightweight counter mortar radars.

“This early warning system is based on proven systems used by other ISAF forces including the US and the UK.  Already the system has worked very effectively, allowing our people to take shelter.

“The new system has achieved initial operational capability at Tarin Kowt five months ahead of schedule.  It has already provided early warning against missile attack.

“The leased radar will be replaced by one being acquired under an $86 million contract signed recently by the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) with SAAB AB. That contract provides for three Giraffe radars which, when delivered in 2012, will provide three Australian owned systems including a full logistic support package.

“The new C-RAM capability follows the delivery of another Force Protection initiative with the first batch of the new, lighter Tiered Body Armour System now rolling off the production line in Bendigo. The ADF plans to have the next Mentoring Task Force equipped with this armour when it deploys to Afghanistan later this year.

‘The new Multicam combat uniform will also be available to troops operating outside the wire in the first half of this year,” Mr Clare said.

AUS DoD

New combat armour for Australian soldiers

The first batch of the new Tiered Body Armour System (TBAS) for Australian soldiers in Afghanistan has come off the production line at Australian Defence Apparel (ADA) in Bendigo, creating an extra 50 local jobs.

Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare inspected the production line in Bendigo today.

“The new body armour system is lighter, fits better, is more comfortable and provides more mobility than the existing body armour our troops use,” Mr Clare said.

“At the moment our soldiers in Afghanistan wear either the Modular Combat Body Armour System (MCBAS) or the Eagle Marine body armour.

“MCBAS body armour is very effective, but it’s heavy.  It was designed for conditions in Iraq where troops weren’t regularly required to patrol on foot.

“In Afghanistan the feedback from troops was it made it difficult to move around and do their job, so Defence made an urgent purchase of the lighter Eagle Marine body armour last year from the United States.

“The new TBAS is lighter than both.  It also allows troops to insert different types of ballistic plates in the vest depending on their mission.

“Because it is Australian-made and we own the design we can also make adjustments and improvements at any time to suit the needs of our troops.”

Mr Clare said Defence was planning for soldiers from Mentoring Task Force 3 to train in this body armour in April as part of their Mission Rehearsal Exercises and deploy with it when they head to Afghanistan later this year.

"ADA will produce around 1,600 tiered body armour systems over the next few months,” Mr Clare said.

“Over the past 18 months TBAS has been tested and evaluated by Special Forces, Navy clearance divers and soldiers from the 1st Brigade in Darwin, 3RAR in Sydney and 2 RAR in Townsville.

“They told us this was the body armour they want to wear in Afghanistan.

“They said it integrates better with their combat equipment and provides much greater freedom of movement, especially around their shoulders. This enables soldiers to get into better firing positions and manoeuvre more freely on the battlefield.

“The protection of our frontline troops is our top priority. That’s why Defence and ADA have developed, tested and produced this new body armour.

“The workers here at ADA can be very proud of the work they are doing. It could save a soldier’s life.”

Mr Clare said ADA had a long and proud history of involvement with the Australian Defence Force.

“They first started making uniforms for the Defence Force here in 1912,” Mr Clare said.

“For almost a century ADA has been supporting Australian troops and local jobs.”

Australian Minister for Defence Materiel