Issue 336: Future Force

The Defence White Paper outlines a ten-year road map for the acquisition of capabilities and their ‘enablers’

The long-awaited 2016 Defence White Paper released in March has seen the Turnbull federal government commit to a “fully costed” Integrated Investment Program for Defence that will see $195 billion spent over the next 10 years on acquiring defence capabilities.

Naval programs, including the 12 Future Submarines plus a continuous build program for nine Future Frigates and 12 Offshore Patrol Vessels created the most headlines, but the White Paper’s Integrated Investment Program document provides plenty of new details on planned defence aviation acquisitions, ranging from additional P-8 maritime surveillance aircraft to new armed and ship-based unmanned aircraft. It provides a few more details on the RAAF’s forthcoming Gulfstream business jet-based electronic warfare platforms, reveals plans to retire the Tiger ARH earlier than expected, unveils a requirement for a new helicopter to support special forces, confirms the government’s commitment to 72 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, and sheds some light on future plans for RAAF airlift.