Operations funding and enhanced force protection in
Afghanistan
Laura
Rayner
Middle East Area of Operations–continuation and
enhancement of Australia’s military contribution
The Government will provide approximately $1125.7 million
for the net additional cost of extending Operation Slipper (the
ADF’s contribution to the international coalition against
terrorism in Afghanistan and the wider Middle East Area of
Operations, and including anti-piracy operations off the coast of
Somalia) until 30 June 2011. Over the forward estimates
this measure will provide $239.2 million 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’.[1] It is
also in addition to the enhanced force protection measures referred
to below, and to the $48.7 million provided over two years to
upgrade infrastructure at Tarin Kowt in Afghanistan which will
improve protection of ADF personnel and expand facilities to
support the maintenance of vehicles and equipment.[2]
Force protection measures
The Budget includes a commitment of $487.1 million for
2010–11 as part of approximately $1.1 billion over the
period 2009–10 to 2012–13 for enhanced force protection
measures for Australia’s deployed troops. Approximately half
of the $487.1 million for 2010–11 will be funded from
Defence’s existing capital investment programs, with the
Government providing the additional $221.6 million.[3]
The new force protection measures include the acquisition of a
Counter Rocket Artillery Mortar
(C-RAM) sense and warn capability, a measure which the Government
said is a direct result of the Force Protection
Review commissioned by the Minister for Defence in July
2009.[4] Formerly,
the acquisition of a rocket defence system was scheduled for entry
into service in 2018. The sense and warn capability detects and
tracks ‘rocket, artillery and mortar fire in flight …
[relying] on audible and visual alarms’, giving troops some
warning time of an imminent attack.[5] Defence is reported to have investigated the
purchase of systems which will destroy the incoming mortars and
rockets, but has found that the technology needed to shoot down
incoming mortars and rockets ‘is not yet reliable or safe
enough’.[6]
According to a pre-Budget media report, ‘it is hoped the new
suite of early warning radars, audio warning systems and command
and control systems will be deployed in Afghanistan by the end of
the year’.[7]
Other planned capabilities include:
- improved protection and firepower for Protected Mobility
Vehicles
- new night-fighting equipment
- improved body armour
- a new weapons system for the Special Operations Task Group
- additional military working dogs; and
- a suite of improved intelligence and reconnaissance
capabilities.[8]
[1].
Australian Government, Budget measures: budget paper no. 2:
2010–11, Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, 2010,
viewed 14 May 2010,
http://www.budget.gov.au/2010-11/content/bp2/html/bp2_expense-07.htm
[2]. Ibid.
[3].
Australian Government, Portfolio budget statements
2010–11: budget related paper no. 1.5A
2010–11& 1.5C: Defence Portfolio,
Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, 2010, p. 23, viewed 12 May
2010,
http://www.defence.gov.au/budget/10-11/pbs/2010-2011_Defence_PBS_full.pdf
[4]. G
Combet (Minister for Defence Material and Science), Budget
2010: Address at the Defence Budget Breakfast, Canberra, media
release, 12 May 2010, viewed 14 May 2010,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FKOOW6%22
[5]. D
Oakes and T Lester, ‘Anti-rocket system in new budget’,
Age, 8 May 2010, p. 13, viewed 17 May 2010,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2F3QMW6%22
[6]. C
Stewart and P Maley, ‘Diggers to get rocket warning’,
Weekend Australian, 8 May 2010, p. 3, viewed 17 May 2010,
http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2FAOMW6%22
[7].
Ibid.
[8]. G Combet, Budget 2010: Address at the
Defence Budget Breakfast, Canberra, op. cit.