iscover
The RAAF's four 707 tankers really only provide the service with a training capability. Equipping some of the forthcoming C-130Js with refuelling pods would be a great force multiplier. (Defence PR)
Analysis – Combat Capability & the Coalition
0 comment
Combat Capability and the Coalition Defence Policy
The massive defeat of the ALP in the recent Federal election will significantly impact Australia’s defence policy. What is certain is that we should see many changes which would benefit the ADF in areas of combat capability. The 13 year reign of the ALP was by all means a period of mixed fortune for the ADF. The Navy lost its fixed wing air arm and carrier capability, but was given funding for an unprecedented ship and submarine building programme. The Army gained the helicopters, at the expense of the air force, but suffered significant losses in manpower. The Air Force received funding for a number of upgrades, in most instances to provide less capability than originally sought. The chain of airfields across the North was funded, the Jindalee OTH-B radar moved into serious development, and 15 preloved F-111Gs were purchased, although with little additional funding to bring them into service properly. The civilian bureaucracy during this period gained a degree of political influence out of all proportion to its nominal role in the system. Even considering cutbacks in recent years, the bureaucracy is still arguably too big.
One of the most unfortunate side effects of a politically powerful civilian arm of the DoD was the effective strangling of a number of critical defence programmes during the late eighties. The ADF was required to endlessly justify every ounce of capability to be acquired, and if AA’s sources can be believed, some of the criteria applied in these internal debates would truly make for interesting public reading. Again it is very difficult for an outside observer to analyse how much of this was the result of political favour seeking by individuals in the civilian side of the DoD, and how much was simply the inevitable consequence of placing too much power into a single place. A bureaucracy charged with oversight had arguably manoeuvred itself into a position where it had become more of a hindrance than an asset.
This content is available exclusively to Australian Aviation members.
A monthly membership is only $5.99 or save with our annual plans.
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
- Unlimited access to all Australian Aviation digital content
- Access to the Australian Aviation app
- Australian Aviation quarterly print & digital magazines
- Access to In Focus reports every month on our website
- Access to our Behind the Lens photo galleries and other exclusive content
- Daily news updates via our email bulletin
Want to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Australian Aviation a preferred news source on Google.
Click here to add Australian Aviation as a preferred news source.
