2010 Australian Budget

[Gubler, A.]

The Defence Portfolio Budget Statements for the Budget usually contain some additional kernels of information about what’s going in the ADF. Despite being a light year for new Defence items this Budget provides some additional information. There is plenty of information in the PBS, especially the DMO PBS. They can be downloaded at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/budget/10-11/pbs/index.htm

Here are some items that caught my eye:

Defence Personnel: For the first time in a long time the ADF has not exceeded its budgeted allotment of star ranked officers! Though the DoD’s APS couldn’t resist an additional three (128 over 125) senior executives from what they were budgeted for… Of course the current numbers are ridiculously bloated but some good appears to have come from the SRP.

SME: The relocate School of Military Engineering down the road chestnut is back in the fire with: “Funding of $35.2m has been provided to Defence over the next two years ($13.7m in 2010-11 and $21.5m in 2011-12). This initiative is for the development of a detailed business case associated with the relocation of the School of Military Engineering from Steele Barracks at Moorebank to Holsworthy Barracks as part of the proposed development of the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal.”

JP 129: Money is in this year’s budget for a $120m spend so the FMS acquisition of the RQ-7B is a certainty:
“This phase of the project seeks to provide two Tactical Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) systems; each comprising five air vehicles, two ground control stations, a tactical launch and recovery element, and associated tactical support systems.
Defence has finalised its capability requirements for this phase of the project, which places emphasis on operationally proven off-the-shelf systems which can be delivered in minimum time to support current and future operational needs. An analysis of candidate TUAV systems against capability, schedule, risk profile and cost has been completed, and an acquisition business case is being prepared for Government consideration.
Planned project expenditure during 2010-11 will be for acquisition of primary TUAV system hardware, required for fielding of two systems in 2011-12.
The key risk for this phase of the project relates to the ability to field two systems in 2011-12. Although delivery of the off-the-shelf TUAV systems are low risk, training of Army personnel must be achieved in a short timeframe following project approval.”

BMS: Elbit will deliver 1,501 dismounted soldier systems and 164 dismounted command posts for the Dominator Battle Management System (BMS).

JASSM: First live fire from a RAAF F/A-18A/B in the USA is expected in June 2010 and in Australia in September 2010. The IOC is expected in 2010 and will be for both fixed and relocating land targets. For other targets: “The capability requirement to engage a moving maritime target is an option under the contract. Proceeding with this option is dependent on USAF development of an anti-surface warfare capability within a timeframe that is suitable for the Australian application. Defence-funded Lockheed Martin simulation studies into the missile performance in a maritime environment are now complete, and are informing Defence and Government decisions on whether to proceed with the moving maritime target capability.”

PGM: “the XM1156 Precision Guidance Kit, which has been selected as the course correcting fuze materiel solution. The XM1156 is produced by Alliant Techsystems (USA). The FMS case for procurement is planned for mid 2010, with initial deliveries for testing planned for mid 2011.” “Delivery of the full inventory of the Excalibur 155mm munitions by mid 2011.”

LWAGL: While a contract has not yet been signed – acceptance testing is underway – the requirement is for 60 40mm AGLs.

JSF: Australia’s first 10 JSF will remain in the US for a number of years for initial conversion training of Australian pilots and maintainers and also participation in operational test activities. The next four JSF are planned to arrive in Australia in 2017 to commence Australian-specific operational test activities, primarily to ensure effective integration with other ADF air and ground systems.

[Gubler, A.]

The Minister's Statement:

Senator the Hon John Faulkner
Minister for Defence

11 May 2010

MIN43/10
Budget 2010-11

New Measures to Protect Our Troops

Deployed troops will be better protected with an increase in investments made to major defence operations overseas.

The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, announced that the government would allocate a further $1.1 billion to safeguard Australian personnel, bringing the total commitment to $1.4 billion

Over the period 2009-10 to 2012-13, the Australian Government will invest $1.1 billion for enhanced force protection capabilities in Afghanistan. This initiative includes $487.1 million of expenditure in 2010-11.

The most significant component of the package of force protection capabilities is the acquisition of a Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar sense and warn capability. This capability will be deployed to help provide our troops in Afghanistan with longer advance warning of indirect fire attacks.

This new investment will be funded in part from Defence’s existing capital investment programs with the Government to provide Defence with an additional $221.6 million in 2010-11.

Senator Faulkner said, “Australian forces in Afghanistan currently face a very high risk from both insurgent operations and improvised explosive devices, and a high risk from indirect fire”.

The Government’s investment in force protection capabilities includes a range of measures to provide direct protection for Australian Defence Force members from small-arms, improvised explosive devices and indirect fire.

Additional measures include:

•improved route clearance capabilities;
•enhanced protection and firepower for Protected Mobility Vehicles;
•new night fighting equipment;
•improved body armour;
•a new weapons system for the Special Operations Task Group;
•new biometrics capabilities;
•additional military working dogs; and
•a suite of improved intelligence and reconnaissance capabilities.

“Enhancing force protection levels will reduce the risks to Australian Defence Force personnel and damage to their vehicles and equipment in Afghanistan as a result of enemy action.”

“It is the Government’s responsibility to provide the highest level of protection possible to our deployed forces on operations and that is what this investment is intended to do,” he said.

[Gubler, A.]

The other defence with the BCPB replacement:

Strengthening Australia's Border Security

Media Release
11 May 2010

The Australian Government will invest $1.2 billion to bolster Australia’s border security with a range of measures including eight new border patrol vessels and strengthened aviation security.

The measures underscore the Government’s commitment to securing Australia’s borders and airports, screening incoming passengers who may be a security risk, and boosting our engagement with our regional partners.

Protecting Australia’s borders from threats of terrorism, people smuggling, organised crime, including the trafficking of illicit goods and illegal foreign fishing, is a top priority for investment by the Rudd Government.

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring that Australia’s law enforcement and border agencies have the best possible capability to confidently respond to existing and emerging threats to our border security.

The measures include:

Border and Aviation Security
■$69.4 million over four years to introduce biometric checks of international passengers in overseas posts to strengthen Australia's capacity to verify the identity of foreign nationals;
■$24.9 million for Stage 2, Enhanced Passenger Assessment and Clearance (EPAC) to ensure a larger number of passengers can be assessed faster and earlier and to ensure that travel histories can be collected for the purpose of identifying passengers who may pose security risks;
■$11.4 million over four years for the Next Generation Border Security Initiative to allow the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to undertake advanced data analysis and risk profiling to more effectively identify visa applicants who may represent national security risks for referral to ASIO;
■$9.2 million over four years to continue to support and maintain the Regional Movement Alert System (RMAS) which enables automatic verification of passports issued by each participating country;
■$17.8 million additional funding over four years to increase the number of Australian Federal Police firearms and explosive detector dogs at major international airports;
■$759.4 million will be provided over four years for continued policing at Australian airports as part of the Government’s commitment to strengthened aviation security;
■$12.3 million additional funding for one year in 2010-11 for the Australian Federal Police presence at 11 major airports, in line with the Beale review's recommendations on airport policing to deliver more responsive and better coordinated policing at these vital gateways.
Border Protection
■A major investment in the purchase of eight new patrol vessels with improved surveillance and response capability and greater range, to replace the current ageing Bay Class vessels. The Government will also provide additional funding of around $42.6 million over four years to meet project implementation and enhanced operating costs;
■$163.2 million over four years to continue initiatives to combat illegal foreign fishing;
■$32.9 million over four years for investment in work with Indonesia to better manage the issue of people smuggling within Indonesia and the region;
■$15.7 million over two years to ensure the continued presence of a dedicated vessel at Ashmore Reef;
■$800,000 additional funding over two years to the Commonwealth Ombudsman to ensure the fairness of detention and immigration processes on Christmas Island.
The new Customs patrol vessels will be able to travel further than the existing craft and the capacity to conduct operations in all parts of Australia’s waters. The first vessel is expected to come on line in 2012-13 with the full new fleet being operational by 2015-16.

Additional funding for the management of irregular migration in Indonesia will help improve conditions and security in immigration detention centres and enable the UNHCR to provide faster refugee status determinations. A network of outreach offices will be funded to help Indonesian authorities better manage irregular migration flows and people smuggling activities.

The measure recognises the pressures on Indonesia as a transit country for people seeking to enter Australia without a valid visa or seeking asylum.

The collection of biometric data will substantially improve verification of the identity of foreign nationals seeking to enter Australia by obtaining fingerprints and facial images from visa applications in 10 overseas posts.

The measures announced in the 2010 Budget build on the $654 million border protection and anti people smuggling package in the 2009 Budget.

[JimWH]

Ummm... anyone know why the Army is loosing 500 ARA personnel next year to regain them the year after? Glad to see reserve personnel rising though (especially the HRR). And finally getting a solution for JP129 is a blessed relief.

[Gubler, A.]

From the actual Budget expense measures there is:

“The Government will provide $1,135.5 million to enhance force protection measures for Australian troops deployed to Afghanistan. The measures include improved route clearance capabilities; enhanced protection and firepower for Protected Mobility Vehicles; new night fighting equipment; improved body armour; new biometrics capabilities; additional military working dogs; and a suite of improved intelligence, sensor and reconnaissance capabilities. These enhancements are aimed at preserving life and reducing injuries from small arms, improvised explosive devices and indirect fire encountered in active service abroad.”

And, more but from a different line item:

“The measure includes $239.2 million in funding for pre existing force protection capabilities in Afghanistan that will provide direct protection for Australian Defence Force members from small arms, improvised explosive devices and direct fire. See also the related measure titled Afghanistan — enhancement of force protection measures for Australian troops.”

[Gubler, A.]

Ummm... anyone know why the Army is loosing 500 ARA personnel next year to regain them the year after? Glad to see reserve personnel rising though (especially the HRR). And finally getting a solution for JP129 is a blessed relief.

No that's not it. The first column is the prediction of the force level for this financial year in the last budget (2009-10). This is called the "projected result" and the second column is the actual estiamte at the time of this budget and then so on for each year in the four year outlook. So Army has actually not meet the demand from the last budget but hopes to make it back up in the next few years.

[Gubler, A.]

Also the Solies gets anothe two years:

"The Government will provide $44.0 million over two years for the net additional cost of extending Operation ANODE, Australia's military contribution to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands until June 2011.

This measure is also expected to lead to a reduction in revenue of $1.7 million over two years as Australian Defence Force personnel are taxed concessionally on their base pay and allowances while on deployment."

And WWT goes on without end"

"The Government will provide $184.4 million over three years for the net additional cost of extending Operation ASTUTE, Australia's military contribution to maintaining stability in Timor‑Leste, until June 2011.

This measure is also expected to lead to a reduction in revenue of $7.9 million over two years as Australian Defence Force personnel are taxed concessionally on their base pay and allowances while on deployment."

[Weasel]

Defence Personnel: For the first time in a long time the ADF has not exceeded its budgeted allotment of star ranked officers! Though the DoD’s APS couldn’t resist an additional three (128 over 125) senior executives from what they were budgeted for… Of course the current numbers are ridiculously bloated but some good appears to have come from the SRP.



I think I mentioned this before, but just how many are required by statutes, e.g. treaty obligations and so on? You may find some of your fat there. Once you take away those numbers, then you get a more realistic picture of the command elements.

cheers

w

[buglerbilly]

Australia Commits Billions To Security Crackdown

By AMY COOPES, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Published: 11 May 2010 09:32

CANBERRA, Australia - Australia committed billions of dollars on May 11 to tightening its borders and increasing safety for its troops in Afghanistan, in a sweeping security package in the national budget.

The funding, unveiled in the annual budget for 2010-2011, is the first time defense and immigration spending have been brought together under the auspices of national security.

It includes 1.2 billion dollars ($1.08 billion U.S.) for bolstering border security by purchasing eight new border patrol vessels, and additional funding for joint operations with Indonesia to counter people-smuggling - the neighboring country being a key transit route for Australia-bound refugees.

The package follows a hardening of Canberra's rhetoric on refugees, including a recent suspension of visa processing for asylum seekers from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, and strengthening of people-smuggling laws.

"Protecting Australia's borders from threats of terrorism, people smuggling, organized crime, including the trafficking of illicit goods and illegal foreign fishing, is a top priority for investment by the Rudd government," said Home Affairs Minister Brendan O'Connor in a budget statement.

The border security measures include funding for extra police at Australia's airports and more advanced passenger screening technology.

Almost 150 million dollars was allocated for the construction of new immigration prisons, as current detention facilities are stretched to capacity by the influx of arrivals.

Australia would also invest almost 500 million dollars in a rocket, artillery and mortar alert system for troops in Afghanistan - part of a 1.1 billion dollar boost to military safety, said Defence Minister John Faulkner.

"Australian forces in Afghanistan currently face a very high risk from both insurgent operations and improvised explosive devices, and a high risk from indirect fire," Faulkner said.

"It is the government's responsibility to provide the highest level of protection possible to our deployed forces on operations and that is what this investment is intended to do."

Funding for operations in Afghanistan totaled 915.6 million dollars, with an additional 19.6 million set aside for boosting Australia's civilian presence. About 141 million over two years was set aside for development projects there in the national aid budget.

Improvements to security at military bases, following an alleged Islamist plot to bomb a Sydney barracks last year, would receive 329 million dollars in funds between 2010 and 2014, including 86 million in the 2010-11 financial year.

Peacekeeping operations in East Timor would be reduced as a result of improved security there, while a stabilization presence would continue in the Solomon Islands, Faulkner said.

[buglerbilly]

Strategic Reform Program to Deliver $1 Billion of Cost-Reductions in 2010-11

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued May 11, 2010)

The Defence Strategic Reform Program (SRP) will deliver more than A$1 billion in cost-reductions in 2010-11 for reinvestment in Defence capability and give Australia a stronger, more agile and harder-hitting Defence Force.

This builds on the cost-reductions of A$797 million Defence will achieve in 2009-10.

The Minister for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, said: “The Strategic Reform Program is a major public sector reform initiative. The SRP is a decade-long campaign of reform that engages all areas of Defence. It will transform how Defence works in fundamental ways. It will deliver real change.”

Over the period 2009-10 to 2018-19, the SRP will reform the way Defence does business, freeing up internal resources of A$20.6 billion to reinvest in the development of tomorrow’s Australian Defence Force – Force 2030.

Force 2030 is the Government’s plan to build a stronger Australian Defence Force. It will take years of investment and steady building to create the military capabilities we need for national security in the future.

Senator Faulkner said, “The SRP will ensure that Defence is capable of delivering and operating Force 2030 over the next 20 years to help keep Australia secure in the future.”

The A$1 billion in cost-reductions in 2010-11 will come from a number of reform streams, including around A$293 million from improved maintenance and inventory management techniques and around A$221 million from better management of Defence non-equipment procurement.

There will be A$384 million invested in reform initiatives in 2010-11 as part of the SRP. This is just one component of a A$2.3 billion package of investment provided in the White Paper to enable the implementation of reforms over the next decade.

“We are committed to investing the money needed to fix Defence’s ‘broken backbone’ so that we can achieve long-term reform and cost-reductions to reinvest in Force 2030.

“The SRP is not just about delivering savings and efficiencies. It is about fundamental reform. It is also an integral component of the White Paper. It is the means by which we will build an organisation capable of delivering and sustaining Force 2030. To be blunt, achieving Force 2030 in its full potential will not be possible without achieving the SRP,” said Senator Faulkner.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Scientists Armed with Additional Funds to Defend Australia

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued May 12, 2010)

The 2010 Federal Budget has delivered an additional $138 million in funding to help the nation’s best Defence scientists and engineers protect and defend Australia and its national interests.

Greg Combet, the Minister for Defence Materiel and Science said the funds would help equip the Australian Defence Forces’ research and technology arm, the Defence Science and Technologies Organisation (DSTO), with additional staff, resources and investment.

“This significant new investment will arm the nation’s best Defence scientists and engineers with additional funds to protect and defend Australia,” Mr Combet said.

“The $138 million in funding will help the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) to employ 200 more of the country’s best scientists and engineers.

“The funds will strengthen its Corporate Enabling Research Program, which focuses on technologically challenging areas of Defence significance for current and future operations, including cyber and electronic warfare, hypersonics, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.”

“The funds will also enable the DSTO to upgrade some of its laboratories and technical facilities, and ensure that Defence scientists and engineers have access to resources they need to carry out highly classified research.

Mr Combet also said that the additional funding for Defence science and research was part of the Government’s commitment to strengthening Australia’s defence capabilities.

“This Government takes its responsibility to provide the highest level of defence and protection to Australia very seriously and this investment is testament to that commitment,” Mr. Combet said.

The funds for Defence science and research is part of the Rudd Government’s record investment in Defence.

-ends-

[buglerbilly]

Defence Operations Funding

(Source: Australian Department of Defence; issued May 12, 2010)

The Rudd Government will continue its strong commitment to operations in Afghanistan and the wider Middle East, Solomon Islands, East Timor and coastal surveillance.

In the 2010-11 Budget, the Government has allocated $1.1 billion for Defence operations in 2010-11, bringing the total Defence operations funding in 2010-11 to $1.4 billion including funding approved in previous budgets.

The 2010-11 Budget will allocate $915.6 million to the Department of Defence for its commitment to operations in Afghanistan and the wider Middle East in 2010-11. A further $19.6 million will be provided for Defence to support an increase in Australian Government civilian officials through a dedicated security protection force, and the provision of engineering and life support to this wider Government contribution. Excluding enhanced force protection capabilities, the total cost of Defence operations in Afghanistan in 2010-11, including funding approved in previous budgets is $1.1 billion.

Senator Faulkner highlighted the importance of the ADF’s mission in bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan and combating global terrorism.

The Government has allocated an additional $9.2 million in 2010-11 bringing the total to $13.1 million for the continuation of a tailored security detail to protect the Australian Embassy in Iraq.

The Government has allocated an additional $151.1 million in 2010-11 bringing the total to $170.0 million for its commitment to East Timor which will assist in strengthening ties between our two countries and our continuing mutual commitment to regional security and stability.

With the security situation in East Timor remaining stable since February 2008, the focus in East Timor is changing from security operations to Defence cooperation and capacity-building to support the development of the East Timorese military.

Due to an improved security environment in East Timor, Defence will make greater use of Reservists, as is currently the case in Solomon Islands.

The Government also provides continued support to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, which has been allocated additional funding of $42.5 million, and coastal surveillance operations which have been allocated $15.3 million.

Senator Faulkner said, “This investment in Defence operations is a critical component of bringing peace and stability to the people of Afghanistan as well as building stability in our own region through cooperation with East Timor and Solomon Islands”.

-ends-

[Deks]

For Customs:

A major investment in the purchase of eight new patrol vessels with improved surveillance and response capability and greater range, to replace the current ageing Bay Class vessels. The Government will also provide additional funding of around $42.6 million over four years to meet project implementation and enhanced operating costs;

Would more Armidales be appropriate, or are they too big for the job?

[Mercator]

Defence rescues Swan's budget (http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2010/05/12/Defence-rescues-Swan.aspx)
by Guest Blogger - 12 May 2010 3:53PM

Major Gen (Retd) Jim Molan is author of Running the War in Iraq.

Here's a new slant on Treasurer Wayne Swan's new budget — this is a Defence-based budget!

If it was not for Defence — specifically the $8.8 billion that was deferred in last year's budget from the 2009 Defence White Paper only ten days after the White Paper was published (see p.13 of this ASPI report) and which does not appear to have been put back into this budget — no way could we be back in surplus in three years' time...

True or False?

Ideas...hot rumours...

[Gubler, A.]

True or False?

Ideas...hot rumours...

Apart from the SRP (which is a billion a year cut to defence) there has been a consistent trend in the past five years or so of money being pulled from the Defence budget because Defence just can't spend it. That is money for major defence acquisitions that are delayed or running late. Also Defence being a major spender of Govt. money overseas has benefited from Australia’s strength in currency. There is some 600 million pulled from this Defence budget without loss in buying value because it isn’t needed due to change in the currency value (no win, no loss).

[JimWH]

Also Defence being a major spender of Govt. money overseas has benefited from Australia’s strength in currency. There is some 600 million pulled from this Defence budget without loss in buying value because it isn’t needed due to change in the currency value (no win, no loss).
Seems entirely fair.
Subject of money being spent at home and overseas, any word on the 4th AWD? T recall the time frame for the option being extended somewhat as compared to the original offer, but I cannot recall when the new offer expires. Now would seem like a good time to be both buying expensive bits overseas, and committing to long term work at home.

[Mercator]

I think that's a fair point and also a fair explanation of events. However, as I read Molan's article, I think one of his broader points is that we don't know why programs are creeping to the right and consequently not spending their funds. Without some transparency in the process I think it's possible to have some doubts. And this slippage is a relatively recent innovation (I know it started under Howard). It used to be quite a bad thing, financially, just exactly because funds unspent is in effect a loss of funds unless the government really, truly, crosses their heart and promises to give the money back. Once it starts travelling across multiple terms of government, I worry. Shouldn't we all?

Anyway. I don't know that there's anything we can do except pray the money turns up. But I don't think we should let this sort of thing go by without noticing, otherwise we will one day find the money went elsewhere.

And Molan is right. We need much greater transparency in the whole capability process, I think.

[Mercator]

PS. I just noticed that Andrew Davies has added something to Molan's post.


In addition to Jim Molan's good points about the budget papers, here are two more observations:

1) In past budget papers there was a list of planned 'unit ready days' for various naval platforms, including submarines as a separate line item. This year the subs are rolled in with the surface combatants under the heading 'major combatants', so we can't tell what availability is planned for the Collins fleet. With some educated guesses it's possible to 'reverse engineer' a little — which suggests that submarine availability isn't going to improve much, if at all — but we can't tell for sure.

2) Defence's contribution to the surplus in the budget might be greater than Jim thought. Table 14 in the PBS shows the major capital investment program for the forward estimates period. The totals are:

•2010-11: $5.794 billion.
•2011-12: $5.190 billion.
•2012-13: $4.651 billion.
•2013-14: $5.518 billion.
So in the year the budget is projected to be in surplus by the narrowest of margins ($1 billion), defence has about $1 billion less to spend on major capital equipment...

[Mercator]

Another post at the Interpreter worth looking at:

http://www.lowyinterpreter.org/post/2010/05/14/Pricing-the-national-security-complex.aspx

in fact, the Interpreter is worth a daily read, I think. (I've come around to it, mostly from a know your enemy perspective)

[Gubler, A.]

I think that's a fair point and also a fair explanation of events. However, as I read Molan's article, I think one of his broader points is that we don't know why programs are creeping to the right and consequently not spending their funds.

Immense bureaucratic inertia! I don’t think it’s so easy to pin this on the Government ordering a go slow. They appear to be pushing solutions to JP 129 and the Seahawk replacement through as fast as is possible. In other areas where OTS acquisitions were not on the cards (SPH, LAND 400, SEA 1000) things are moving through DoD/DMO at the typical pace of a glacier. Which is of course at the speed established by the requirements of the Government. But they don’t really know how they got into that mess and don’t seem to be trying to get out of it.

[geof]

QUOTE : The funding, unveiled in the annual budget for 2010-2011, is the first time defense and immigration spending have been brought together under the auspices of national security.
It includes 1.2 billion dollars ($1.08 billion U.S.) for bolstering border security by purchasing eight new border patrol vessels. END QUOTE.

Is that this Year .. ? meaning a tender will be anounced under SEA ... (whatever it is )

[Gubler, A.]

Is that this Year .. ? meaning a tender will be anounced under SEA ... (whatever it is )

The DMO might handle the tender for the BCPB replacement but it won’t have a SEA number because that indicates a Naval staff requirement and it’s a Customs project. RPDE ran a requirements exercise for the new BCPB replacement and it is a much bigger boat but not quite an ACPB: no need for a 25mm for starters. The Austal 48m coastal patrol boat is their response to this requirement and the capability difference to the BCPB is twice the crew (21 vs 12) with 18 additional austere bunks and three weeks vs two weeks endurance. The life of the BPCBs runs out in 2014 so the new boats will be needed by then.

[Mercator]

From a Canadian defence reporter:
Australia recently announced that it will spend an additional $391 million (U.S.) for its forces in Afghanistan during the 2010-11 fiscal year. The extra funding will go towards enhanced armour and increased firepower for the Australian Army's Bushmaster vehicles, improved body armour for soldiers, new night vision equipment, additional bomb-sniffing dogs, and better intelligence and reconnaissance systems, according to a report from UPI news agency. Beyond these enhancements, a large portion of the new money will pay for the C-RAM anti-rocket and mortar system that can detect and destroy incoming projectiles at the Australian base at Tarin Kowt in Uruzgan province.

I remember the funding announcement, but did they announce the weapon system? Apologies if I'm slow to this.

[JimWH]

They're not buying an interceptor, bust a SAAB radar to detect incoming fire. There's a discussion about it somewhere over on the Land Warfare forum.
Here you go: http://www.w54.biz/showthread.php?154-Missile-Defence/page2

[Mercator]

Thanks Jim. I missed that one.

[Gubler, A.]

We are not buying an interceptor or the Saab radar. The Canadian just doesn't know what they are talking about. This is a rapid acqusition ordered by the DEFMIN in September 2009 to provide an early warning capability to forward operating bases and mobile troops. It has nothing to do with LAND 19 in the DCP its actually a weapon locating radar (WLR) but is being called C-RAM and is probably under LAND 53. The system in question is the AN/TPQ-48 Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR). Looks like an accordian on a tripod.

Quote:
SRCTec's AN/TPQ-48(V) LCMR automatically detects and locates mortar firing positions by detecting and tracking in-flight mortar shells and backtracking them to their point-of-origin. As such, the radar provides continuous 360° surveillance, makes use of an electronically scanned antenna, generates incoming round warnings and weapon location reports, is compatible with airborne operations, can be deployed in a door bundle and can be assembled/disassembled by two people. Other system features include digital messaging to the Advanced Field Artillery Target Designation and the Forward Area Air Defense systems, battery-powered operation, a fire detection/counter fire re-targeting capability, point-of-origin/point-of-impact prediction and a shipping configuration that is made up of two reusable shipping containers that each weigh less than 68 kg.

http://www.srctecinc.com/cms400/uploadedFiles/srctec/whatwedo/17-LCMR. pdf

[Gubler, A.]

Not from the budget but some important procurement dates for 2010-11:

Government 2nd Passes:

June: JP 2097-1B Network Special Ops Capability (NSOC) and more Supacat HMTs.
August: JP 154 Counter IED (FP ECM refresh)
~November: LAND 17-1B digital terminals, LAND17-1C SPH, LAND 121-5A Tactical Training Vehicles (1,060 more G-Wagens)

[buglerbilly]

Retirees, Defence targeted as big cuts loom

Lenore Taylor

October 2, 2010

Retiree, health and family payments should be wound back with tougher income and eligibility tests, and defence spending should be reduced, the Department of Finance has urged the government as it warns immediate cuts are needed to ensure the budget returns to surplus.

The incoming brief to the new Finance Minister, Penny Wong, says the government needs to find $2.4 billion in savings over the next four years just to pay for the pledges made during its negotiations with the crossbench independents, including the promised new $1.8 billion program for rural hospitals.

But the brief - released late yesterday - strongly advises the government to wield the budgetary razor much more deeply, to create a financial buffer against ''the persistent threat of a 'double dip' global economic downturn'' and to prepare for the looming costs of an ageing population.

The department suggests much tighter rules for taxpayer benefits and subsidies as a good place to start, including increasing the age at which retirees can access their superannuation to the higher age threshold that applies to the aged pension.

''It will also require a re-evaluation of who pays for health and aged care services and whether more of the burden should fall on those users who have the capacity to contribute more than at present. In particular there will be a need to address whether the comfortably off in the community (and their inheritors) should continue to have their health and aged care services subsidised to the current extent by taxpayers, many of whom are in less fortunate circumstances,'' the brief advises.

It says the retirement income system will become increasingly expensive as the population ages, threatening fiscal sustainability. ''Measures such as tightening eligibility for the pension and increasing the superannuation preservation age … would improve the long term fiscal sustainability of the system.''

It says family and welfare payments are also poorly targeted.

The brief also makes the controversial suggestion the government break its pledge in the 2009 defence white paper to increase spending by 3 per cent a year to 2017-18.

''The scale of the fiscal task ahead and the very large enhancements to defence and national security funding in the last decade … present the opportunity for the government to reassess the strategic posture and funding for defence,'' the department advises.

The 2011-12 budget should be a very austere affair, restricted only to election promises, with any new idea only considered if the spending is offset.

Senator Wong said the government was ''absolutely committed'' to its strict spending limits.

''The government will work with the new Parliament to deliver this fiscal strategy in the national interest,'' she said.