RE: Australia:Defence Review
>Is there any tangible plans to replace the
>Hornets/further upgrading?
The F/A-18A/Bs are currently in the process of upgrading and have been for a while, in fact phase II has just started and this will inlcude the new radar fit, which will be the APG-73. The replacement programme is called AIR 6000, and the first new type selection is due by 2006/7, and the first Hornets are expected to start retiring from 2012.
>How about the much debated AEW requirement? Which a/c or system?
Contract signed already but initial numbers cut back to 4 from the original 7. 737-700 with the Northrop Grumman MESA radar it will be.
Link for MESA
http://www.northgrum.com/tech_cd/es/es_mesa_fact.html
>Since the last C130J have
>been delivered,is there a plan to beef up the stategic
>deployment capability by purchasing C17/A400M?
Nothing definitive at the moment, but Project AIR 5216 – Strategic Airlift Capability has seen the C-130J replace the C-130E of 37 SQD but the replacement/upgrade option for the still remaining C-130Hs of 36 SQD is pending. The 2000 White Paper did mention an upgrade. The RAAF has shown interest in the A400 as a future type from what I have read in Air international.
>Is it true that the govt decided to retire the Loepard 1A3 and totaly disband the armoured forces?If it is true,can the ASLAV/M113
>combo really defend Australia vast outback from hostile
>MBT(not likely to happen)?The army RDF are quite small and
>Blackhawk do not have the range needed.
Not true, the Leos are still there. Hostile MBT on our shores? Like you said, not likely to happen. And don’t forget we are now inline for the Tiger Recon/attack helo which will improve our defences against those unlikely invaders. The former labour opposition leader did propose an SOF unit with long range helos but this suggesstion didn’t amount to anything as he lost the election that followed. The Blackhawk is doing us just fine and we have the Herc for long range SOF deployment if required.
>ANZAC frigate seems to be ‘toothless’w/o certain systems,even RMN NGPV(read Corvette)will have comprehensive defensive/offensive
>suite.Any plans to further upgrade this fine vessels?
You mean the ANZAC class over-sized patrol boa….. whoops I mean the Frigates..Yes they are deinitely under-armed and under-fitted, Australian procurement practises are a joke I am afraid, and if you have been following events of the last decade you would understand.
As for upgrades, the original WIP (War-fighting improvement) programme was shelved, but there has been a compromise. The ANZACs will eventually get better ASMD (Anti-ship missile defence) systems fitted and perhaps Harpoon at a later date. ASMD will inlcude an extra fire control channel and ESSM. I also believe the Super Seasprite Helos will be deployed from them as well in future.
>Australia defence posture is important to this region,most of us cannot really depend on the US to fill this part of the world power vacuum.They busy at the moment.Any body got something to say???
Malaysia is gearing for greater self-reliance, and Australia I believe should be heading the same way.
Hope this helps, its all from memory and I may have missed some details, but I am sure someone else will provide further info.
Regards, Glenn.
Sign In
