Defence Update

Given that the whole avionics update programme for the F-111s was put at around $200-300 million as far back as 1986/87, and even allowing for the radar improvement sections already contracted, the upward movement in prices is worrying some sections within the Defence Department.

Perhaps in the end the RAAF will be told it can have the strike reconnaissance force update only if it forgoes some other items with current priority. This would not go down too well with senior Air Force officers who see the Navy getting a very high and disproportionate slice of the capital equipment vote for many years to come. In fact the 1990s loom as being very much dominated by the big ticket items such as the new Type 471 submarines and the ANZAC Tier 2 frigates. Nevertheless, the RAAF continues to press strongly for the F-111 avionics update to proceed.

The argument, which has been accepted by Defence Minister, Mr Kim Beazley, is that a switch to digital driven weapons systems (from the current analogue system) will enable Australia to maintain the all weather, long rang F-111C jets making up No82 Strike/Reconnaissance Wing at Amberley in south-west Queensland to about 2010 or beyond, even without what would seem another important element, inflight refuelling capability.

During the recent Kangaroo 89 exercise, Mr Beazley assured senior members of No82 Wing that the avionics update would go ahead as planned. The Mach 2 strike aircraft, purchased in the mid 1960s, but not delivered to Australia until 1973, are operational with No1 and 6 Squadrons. The exercise provided a rare opportunity for the strike jets to operate with the new F-18 fighters, and this is expected to continue now that the air base at Tindal, near Katherine, NT, is operational. In K89 the F-111s carried out four main roles: land strike, maritime strike, air defence and reconnaissance.

A major recent improvement to the F-111s has been the acquisition of the precision stand-off Pave Tack bombing system. Its precision targeting qualities have provided a huge leap in capability to deliver laser guided bombs such that Pave Tack provides a dramatic overall increase in capability and accuracy in bombing. Whereas 40 sorties would have been required in the past to deliver clusters of iron bombs, the same result now can be obtained by four F-111 strikes. Such is the precision which virtually guarantees 100% success and provides the force-multiplier effect. The F-111 also will become an even more potent weapon with the acquisition of AIM-9L and model air-to-air missiles. The avionics update evaluation team under Group Captain Mike Lorimer went to the US several months ago to follow up questions thrown up by the tenders by the GD and Rockwell groups. The team then wrote its report and recommendations. This was achieved in late November. In the new year the matter is to be considered by various Defence committees, including the Defence Source Definition Committee, led by Dr Malcolm McIntosh, the Deputy Secretary, Acquisition and Logistics, and the Defence Force Development Committee headed by the DoD Secretary, Mr Tony Ayers.

When, or if the recommendations pass the higher committee levels, the successful tenderer is likely to be invited to enter into contract negotiations. The Request for Tender (RFT) on the avionics update programme, other than the radars which are part of the overall programme, was announced by Mr Beazley on February 8, 1989. It sought a prime contractor to acquire and fit modern navigation and weapons computers, cockpit displays, communications systems, navigation sensors and flight control computers.

The successful contractor also is to provide essential training, equipment and data to maintain long-term support of the aircraft well into the next century. (The acquisition of Automatic Test Equipment to replace outmoded ATEs at Amberley is a separate issue).

Minister Beazley described the update project as providing “a multi-million dollar boost for Australia’s defence industry. The new digital components will be quicker and simpler to maintain, In addition to improved reliability, the greater availability of spares will mean significant reductions in through-life support of the aircraft,” he said. Major work packages would be placed with Australian industry.

On June 28, Mr Beazley announced that two US companies had been awarded contracts totalling $64 million to modify the specialised radar systems of the RAAF’s F-111s. Texas Instruments was awarded the contract to update the Terrain Following Radar while General Electric won the contract to update the Attack Radar System. The radar modifications include assembly and testing of major components in Australia by Philips Defence Industries, a sub-contractor. This involvement would enhance Philips’ capability and was a follow on from developing the F-18 fighter project and generally improving support capabilities for aircraft radars in Australia. Mr Beazley also said both contractors had undertaken to facilitate access by Philips to the US Air Force’s F-111 radar spares market.

Liberals Outline New Defence Policy

The long-awaited Defence Policy of the Federal Opposition parties, the Liberals and the Nationals, was released in early November, and has evoked little response, even from the Government ranks.

Perhaps this is because it lacks controversial aspects. In many regards it supports the Government’s policy of increased self reliance, and adheres to a bi-partisan approach in annual funding which would be maintained at present levels. The policy also commits a Liberal/National Government to acceptance of existing contracts. An earlier Lib/NP Defence Policy draft, when Mr Peter White as shadow Defence Minister, argued for a one per cent real growth increase in Defence funding, rather than the present zero real growth.

The Opposition’s Defence Policy, was announced by the Shadow Minister, Mr Jim Carlton, and further outlined by the Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, Senator Jocelyn Newman.

Although the policy commits a Liberal-National coalition government to about the same level of Defence spending ($8. 3 billion in 1989/90) or only 2. 3% of Gross Domestic Product, there is the reservation that close examination when in government might produce changes in some procurement policies. However the prospect of a return of naval fixed wing air power, which was canvassed by the annual conference of the Liberal Party, has been ruled out.

The emphasis in the policy enunciated by Senator Newman is that higher priority be given to Australian Defence Force personnel and their families. A key endeavour in this would be moves to retain well trained and highly skilled personnel.

The Coalition is committed to streamlining the Defence Department’s organisational structure. “Improved management is an essential ingredient in building Service morale and reducing personnel wastage,” the policy says. A planned saving of about $70 million in the first year of a Coalition government resulting from a better managed Defence organisation and relocation of resources would go to providing a new deal for Service personnel and their families, it adds.

Senator Newman said the retention of service personnel would produce “enormous savings”. She said a recent study showed that for every 127 Service personnel retained across a range of ranks and categories, $40 million was saved.

The accent on ADF personnel issues by the Opposition which sees itself as preparing for Government, is outlined in the Defence Science and Personnel Policy section. “The Hawke Labour Government has failed to recognise the importance of maintaining a Defence Force with high morale, high experience levels and a strong commitment to Service life,” the policy says. “The high level of losses from the Defence Force has caused a blowout in recruitment and training costs and has absorbed a disproportionate amount of ADF resources.

“We will restore a balance to the Government’s badly flawed budget strategy by reallocating present expenditures to new and vital personnel policies. There can no longer be any excuse for inaction,” it adds.

”A Liberal/National Government will act to keep experienced people to retain our defence capability . . . ”

There are specific sections on: Pay and Allowances (which include a separate Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal with authority to determine all allowances), Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits, Removals, Discounts, Personnel Support and Family Support. There are other sections outlining remedial action to better equip and train and utilise the Reserves, school Cadets; community relations and Defence Science and Technology.

In the main Liberal/NP Defence policy, Mr Carlton says a coalition government would shift the emphasis in Australian Defence thinking towards the maintenance of peace and security in our region.

“It (the policy) proposes, in addition to strengthened defence, a better coordination of all arms of policy towards reducing instability and deterring hostile activity, in full co-operation with our friends and allies,” he said.

Carlton criticises the 1987 Defence White Paper as inadequately addressing Australia’s future national security requirements. He said the White Paper was insufficiently related to other arms of policy (eg foreign affairs, trade and economic policy) that had a major effect on our regional relationships. It also was too complacent about the time scale within which threats could develop, and there was too much emphasis on reaction rather than deterrence. Carlton said that the government’s policy failed to define Australia’s role in maintaining peace and stability in the region. He added that even if the present strategy was adequate, the Government had not provided the force structure detailed in the White Paper as required to implement the strategy.

“It will be the task of the incoming Liberal-National Government to remedy the defects in the Hawke Government strategy, and to modify the force structure in line with the revised strategy,” he said. “This will lead to a major strengthening of Australia’s national security. ” Key initiatives he detailed included:

• A Cabinet Committee, chaired by the Prime Minister, to be responsible for developing and maintaining an integrated national security strategy, with key elements such as foreign affairs, defence, the economy and trade represented.

• Added emphasis on cooperation with regional friends and allies, closer defence and diplomatic co-operation with Indonesia, and a force structure to enable a more rapid, more flexible response to events occurring at short notice within Australia’s territorial boundaries and beyond.

• A streamlined Defence organisation structure, with assigned clear financial responsibilities and a reduced level of detailed management from Canberra. This includes installing effective management information and control systems and upgraded management training.

• A streamlined Defence organisation structure, with assigned clear financial responsibilities and a reduced level of detailed management from Canberra. This includes installing effective management information and control systems and upgraded management training.

• Existing contracts for the supply of capital equipment to be maintained as would be the current level of funding in real terms. If after an audit of the Defence budget and reviews of the force structure and changes in management practices there was a need to increase expenditure, this would be done.

• Extensive industry participation in Defence supply and servicing would be maintained, international competitiveness improved, and frustration and costly delays faced by present potential suppliers reduced by improved management.

Books

Target Berlin:

Jeffrey Ethel! and Alfred Price This intriguing book documents a minute by minute account of Mission 250, the March 6 1944 raid by 777 B-17s, 305 B-24s with 130 P-38s, 415 P-47s and 109 P-51s providing escort on what was the first full-strength daylight attack on Berlin.

The 212 page book commences with the overall battle plan that would constitute the complex basis of Mission 250. It then goes into the performance characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of the various aircraft involved, both allied and axis, and builds up to the tense pre-dawn briefings at more than a dozen US 8th Air Force bases north of London . The raid itself is taken in blocks as the massive aerial armada fights its way across Hitler’s Fortress Europa against constant attack by the Luftwaffe and radar-directed flak. The defensive efforts of the Luftwaffe are equally well narrated and researched as both sides begin to fight a battle to the death. The insights given into the complexities of operating the ground based air defence of a large city such as Berlin and the massive emergency services tasks required in the aftermath of the raid are as spellbinding as the accounts of aerial combat themselves.

A most riveting book and hopefully a first in what could be an excellent series detailing the many historically important raids and engagements of WW2. Thoroughly recommended and available from most major bookshops or direct from Capricorn Link, Unit 5C1 Lincoln Street, Lane Cove, 2066 for a ARP of $32. 95.