Australian Defence Industry News

NAVY CELEBRATES 107TH BIRTHDAY WITH 'BRUMBIES' HELO DROP

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has celebrated 107 years of service to the Australian nation, with clearance divers conducting a 'fast roping' (rappelling) drop from a 'Sea King' helicopter during half time at the ACT Brumbies versus Queensland Reds rugby match. Pre-game, RAN clearance divers also conducted an interactive demonstration in a dive tank inside the western entrance to the Canberra stadium, with a civilian helicopter also towing a 'Happy Birthday Navy' banner over the stadium as the RAN band performed below.

ARMY CANBERRA PARADE TO MARKET 107TH BIRTHDAY

The Australian Army is also celebrating 107 years of service to the nation, and will mount a parade in Canberra on Monday. In a time where the operational tempo is high, the Chief of Army, LtGen Peter Leahy, has noted "the Army is a national institution that has played an important role in shaping the way Australia is viewed throughout the world. Celebrating our birthday ... is important as it provides an opportunity to reflect on our previous achievements, and focus on current and future endeavours."

SINGAPORE FORCES TO JOIN ORUZGAN PROVINCE COMBATANTS

Defence Minister Fitzgibbon has welcomed Singapore's decision to deploy a medical team to the Dutch Medical Treatment Facility in Tarin Kowt (Afghanistan), which also hosts Australian medical staff. The ADF is to work closely with Singapore to support their forces deployment later this year, which builds on work already conducted with the New Zealand-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamian Province. The Minister added, the ADF - along with other ISAF partners - "is making a substantial commitment to Afghanistan. Singapore's response to the call for increased international assistance is particularly welcome."

ROGER LOUGH TO RETIRE AFTER 44 YEARS WITH DEFENCE

Australia's Chief Defence Scientist, Dr Roger Lough, is to retire (with effect from 23 May 2008) having served the Australian Defence Organisation with distinction for more than 44 years. Dr Lough was appointed Chief Defence Scientist in October 2003, after serving in several senior positions in the Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO), where he started his career in the 1960s. Dr Lough has also served as an ex-officio member on the Prime Minister's Science, Engineering & Innovation Council. Defence Science & Personnel Minister Snowdon credited Dr Lough with having shown "exemplary leadership in modernising the DSTO, and has initiated the most far-reaching reforms of defence science that Australia has seen since World War II." A world-wide search is to be undertaken to recruit a new Chief Defence Scientist.

ARMY DOCTRINE GURUS TO SUPPORT US DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Canberra headquartered Noetic (through its Washington DC office) has won a $US1.8m contract to assist the US Department of Defense in a project supporting the development of small unit tactics and capabilities. Noetic is well known for its work with the Australian Army in drafting statements of doctrine, as well as contemporary guidance such as the Network Centric Warfare 'Roadmap'. The company has also worked with the United Nations, US emergency services organisations and other agencies within the Department of Defense. Noetic's Australian CEO, Peter Murphy, noted the contract success was testament to hard work by Andrew Balmaks and Ben Fitzgerald in building the business in a tough market.

INDIA INTERESTED IN NAVANTIA AMPHIB's AND SUBMARINES

Spanish media has reported that State-owned Navantia is one of only four global countries from which the Indian Government has formally requested information about the acquisition of new submarines. Apart from the S-80 (derived from the French 'Scorpene' submarine, but with a Lockheed Martin combat system) currently under construction for the Spanish Armada at Cartagena, Navantia is understood to have presented other ship designs at a recent Indian defence exhibition in New Delhi, including the strategic projection ship (BPE) - two of which are to be built for Australia under phases 4A/4B of Joint Project 2048. The first-of-class BPE - the 'Juan Carlos I' will be formally launched 10 March at the Navantia-Ferrol shipyard in northern Spain. As testimony to Australia's decision to substantively build its amphibious ships in Spain due to concerns over labour shortages, Navantia is reported to have the opposite problem, with 3-4 candidates applying for each of 22 vacant positions recently offered by the shipyard.

AIR FORCE CAMPAIGN TO EMPHASISE THE VALUE OF PEOPLE

The Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Geoff Shepherd, has launched a new advertising campaign that aims to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions about a career in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). Shepherd says that "in reality, the Air Force is not just a school for 'Top Gun' pilots; it involves a diverse range of skills and covers a diverse range of jobs. A career in the Air Force provides a unique skill-set that prepares you for life." The new campaign accordingly remains true to the Air Force's role of 'providing air & space power for Australia's security', but also seeks to emphasise that 'its people lie at the heart of its identity', and that people (not just pilots) are the Air Force's most valued commodity.

WHITE CAMPAIGN ON DEFENCE PAPER TO START AT USI ACT

The Head of the ANU's Strategic & Defence Studies Centre, Professor Hugh White, is to speak on 'The 2008 Defence White Paper - What it Needs to Do' at the United Services Institute (USI) of the ACT, Spender Theatre, Shedden Building, Australian Defence College, Weston Creek at 6.30pm on Wednesday, 5 March 2008. Free bar snacks will be available in the Weston Creek mess from 5.00pm for members and guests attending the meeting. Email Bob Howe at act.usi@defence.gov.au with further speaker programme or USI membership inquiries.

TWO NEW AUSTRALIAN STRATEGIC POLICY INSTITUTE PUBLICATIONS

Two recent ASPI 'Policy Analysis' publications have looked at: 'The Intelligence Reform Agenda' through the eyes of Carl Ungerer - who offers an assessment of current reforms, and proposes some further steps towards restructuring the intelligence community and its activities to meet the national security challenges of the next decade; and 'Pakistan, Our Paradoxical Partner in the War on Terror' - in which Raspal Khosa examines Pakistan's role in the war on terror; on the one hand as a source of extremism, and on the other, as a key partner of the West in fighting it. Implications for Australia of this paradox are also examined.

AIDN INAUGURAL NATIONAL YOUNG ACHIEVERS AWARD

The Head of Industry Division at the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), Kerry Clark, has presented the inaugural Australian Industry Defence Network (AIDN) National Young Achiever award to Ellouise Tanks (from the International Seal Company Australia), in recognition of her 'precision in communication, exactness in delivery and being vastly knowledgeable on all things Defence' during the tender process of a recent Defence project. Other national AIDN young achiever award finalists were: Donovan Ang, of Tenix Marine; Rachael Foggitt, of Fiomarine; and Alana Eggleton, of HLA ENSR.

FEUDAL AFGHANISTAN FORTRESS UNDER TALIBAN ATTACK

The Department of Defence has confirmed that Australian Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) soldiers based in Oruzgan Province in southern Afghanistan, have successfully repelled a number of Taliban attacks against a new patrol base for the Afghan National Army. The fighting occurred near the mouth of the Baluchi Pass, approximately 15km from Tarin Kowt. According to the Chief of the Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, "the effectiveness of RTF force protection measures (ASLAV, mortars and follow-up patrolling) caused the Taliban to launch their attacks from the extreme range of their weapons systems in low-light conditions, which degraded their ability to target Australian troops." Vision of the engagement was recorded by an Army combat cameraman, and is being fed to politicians via the Parliament House multi-media system.

EXTRA APPOINTMENT TO 2008 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER TEAM

MajGen John Cantwell (the Deputy Chief of Army since January 2007) has been appointed by the Chief of the Defence Force as the senior military member of the 2008 Defence White Paper team, and is to head-up the force structure and engagement elements of the project. MajGen David Morrison (the former Head of Military Strategic Commitments) is to accordingly take up the role of Deputy Chief of Army. Cantwell has held several key appointments in recent years, including: Director-General Capability & Plans (2003-2004); and Commander 1st Brigade (2004- 2005). He then deployed as Director Strategic Operations, Headquarters Multi National Forces Iraq in early-2006, before taking up the role of Deputy Chief of Army in January 2007.

NEW THALES CHIEF OUTLINES EXPECTATIONS FOR 2008

New Thales Australia Managing Director, Chris Jenkins, says that after a successful 2007 that saw delivery of world-class APEC accreditation and security systems, and the successful firing of the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile from HMAS 'Sydney', his business plan for 2008 is focused on improving the agility of the company to adapt and operate more efficiently, as well as strengthening its commitment to creating partnerships with small- and medium-sised enterprises (SMEs) and other prime defence contractors to deliver high-end defence capabilities. According to Jenkins, "I am confident that this will be a year of significant progress for Thales, and am excited about working with Defence, the DMO and other defence industry businesses and associations to evolve the strategic defence capabilities of this country."

PRODUCTION PARTS RACKS-UP JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER DELIVERIES

Representatives of US-based Pratt & Whitney have accepted delivery of the first of a number of Stage 5 components for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) F-135 engine from Airport West (Melbourne)-based Production Parts, in a special 'first article inspection' ceremony at the company's plant. In addition to its current contract to manufacture bearing housing supports, Production Parts also manufactures the F135's high turbine supports. Pratt & Whitney officials indicated their delight with the Production Parts business relationship, noting that through its 'best value sourcing' program, further opportunities have arisen for the Australian company to make similar parts for the F100 and PW6000 engine families. Production Parts Managing Director, Peter Nicholls, says "in order to meet growing demand, we will more than double our output over the next three years ... our new Deckel Maho DMU 80 FD full five-axis machine (which combines milling & turning) will employ an additional fifty skilled personnel."

US MARINES TO WEAR AUSSIE EARS FOR GUNSHOT DETECTION

The US Naval Surface Warfare Centre in Dahlgren (Virginia) has awarded a contract for the development of an operational prototype Distributed Acoustic Shot Detection System (DASDS), to Land Warfare Acoustic Systems Inc (LWAS). LWAS is an associate company of Canberra-based Pacific Noise & Vibration. Delivery and integration of the system within the first half of 2008 is now well underway. The DASDS uses LWAS high technology acoustic based gunshot detection sensor system, in both man wearable and vehicle mounted configurations. The system (which can be networked) will enable warfighters to detect and locate the source of enemy gunfire, mortar and rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) in real time. This Australian technology was developed under a project Land 125-sponsored Concept Technology Demonstrator activity in 2006, and is being manufactured in Adelaide.

ADF 'CHINOOK' BUY ON-HOLD AS US ARMY BOOSTS ITS ORDERS

The US Army has awarded Boeing a US$280.5m contract to supply 11 new CH-47F 'Chinook' heavy lift helicopters, increasing the total order to 59 aircraft, with deliveries to begin in 2011. The new 'Chinook' is said to have successfully completed all evaluations (including airworthiness, functional and operational testing) at Fort Campbell (Kentucky) since being unveiled by Boeing at its Ridley Township (Pennsylvania) production facility in June 2006. A 20 November former Howard government pre-caretaker 2007 election Cabinet "initial approval" to acquire three CH-47Fs to supplement the six 'D'-model aircraft now in service with the Army's Townsville-based 5th Aviation Regiment, and costing "$400 to $500m ... to enter service in 2011-13," remains to be publicly confirmed by Defence Minister Fitzgibbon.

COMBET OUTLINES RESPONSIBILITIES OF HIS POSITION

Speaking at an industry conference in Canberra, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, Greg Combet, has noted his responsibilities for the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) extend to making sure the acquisition of major capital equipment is carried out efficiently and effectively. Combet will provide Defence Minister Fitzgibbon with detailed analysis and advice on acquisition and sustainment issues, along with the handling of contracting matters. Some of his other duties include: dealing with Defence industry policy and maximising Australian industry involvement; defence exports; and a number of programmes run through the DMO, including

the Skilling Australia Defence Industry (SADI) program.

REVIEW COMING OF 2003 'KINNAIRD' PROCUREMENT REFORMS

Referring to Labor election commitments to advance a formal evaluation of the effectiveness of reforms to the DMO implemented following the 2003 Review of Defence Procurement in Canberra, Combet said he would shortly be writing to the Defence Procurement Advisory Board (DPAB) seeking the provision of an evaluation of the effectiveness of procurement reforms to date, as part of a wider programme to frame an agenda for further future reforms to defence procurement. Combet has already met with DPAB chief, David Mortimer, who was also recently appointed by the Rudd government to undertake a review of policies relating to the encouragement of Australian exports.

REALITY BITES ON WHITE PAPER & NEXT DEFENCE CAPABILITY PLAN

With the team set to undertake development of the next Defence White Paper just announced last week, and a final document not expected to be completed until the end of the year, the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, Greg Combet, has confirmed there will be no new public Defence Capability Plan (DCP) this year. Combet told a Canberra industry conference, "the Government is, in the first instance, primarily focused on defining Australia's strategic direction," adding, "this will not lead to - and nor should it be used as an excuse for a hiatus or pause in the current level of activity in terms of defence capital equipment projects, and in supporting equipment that's already in service." In the absence of a new DCP, the 13 May Defence Budget will become the principal guide for 'first' and 'second' pass new capability approvals over 2008/09.

LABOR STILL TO PUT ITS BRAND ON AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY CAPABILITY

Headed by a proviso that "Australian Industry Capability (AIC) policy is not set in stone ... it will be shaped over the next six to twelve months with further consultation, and not least by the new White Paper," the Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, Greg Combet, has endorsed key initiatives framed by former Defence Minister, Brendan Nelson, and designed to assist Australian firms improve the share of work they win in rolling out new military capability acquisition programmes. Combet accordingly launched an update to the Defence Policy Procurement Manual (DPPM), as well as circulation of an electronic version of the AIC Practitioner's Information & Tool Kit via the DMO website.

NAVY & CUSTOMS APREHEND ILLEGAL FISHING BOATS

Crews of Customs and Navy patrol vessels, supported by Fisheries officers, have apprehended eight fishing boats and 71 crew found to be fishing illegally in the Torres Strait. Responding to weekend to sightings by Coastwatch aircraft of trepang poachers operating in Australian waters around Warrior Reef, the Border Protection Command (BPC) co-ordinated the combined response, involving three Customs patrol boats - the 'Dame Roma Mitchell', 'Hervey Bay' and 'Holdfast Bay' - and two Navy vessels: HMA Ships 'Huon' and 'Wollongong'. Consistent with the provisions of the Torres Strait Treaty between Australia and PNG, all of the fishers were taken to Daru Island and handed over to PNG authorities.

HINDMARSH MOVES TO COMMAND ADF IN THE MIDDLE EAST

Former Special Operations Commander Australia, MajGen Mike Hindmarsh, has been appointed the next commander of Australian Defence Force personnel deployed in the Middle East Area of Operations, taking over from MajGen Mark Evans, who has commanded Australian forces since June 2007. Hindmarsh will lead approximately 1550 personnel on active service in Iraq, and almost 1000 personnel on active service in Afghanistan. His tenure will encompass the withdrawal of the Overwatch Battle Group (West) and Australian Army Training Team - Iraq from Dhi Qar Province, which will commence by mid-2008.

RUDD ALL THE WAY WITH FITZGIBBON ON NATO STANCE

Responding to media questions regarding Defence Minister Fitzgibbon's complaints in regard to accessing internal NATO warfighting strategy for Afghanistan, and to whether the Prime Minister would attend the forthcoming (April) NATO meeting in Bucharest himself, Kevin Rudd has replied, "travel arrangements ... have not been determined ... NATO is charged, in large part, (with) the war in Afghanistan (so) ... Joel Fitzgibbon is absolutely right. If you're going to have Australian troops, our men and women in uniform, on the ground in a war in such a difficult and hostile operating environment as Afghanistan, then we in Australia, as the Government, have a responsibility to satisfy ourselves that there is a coherent strategy for prevailing in this war. And if NATO have most of the forces on the ground, we need to be talking to them much more comprehensively than was the case in the past."

ECPINS W UPGRADE FOR ROYAL NEW ZEALAND NAVY

Vancouver (Canada)-based Offshore Systems has secured a contract to upgrade the Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN) Tenix-provided project 'Protector' fleet to ECPINS W - vessel-wide. In 2003/04, Offshore Systems was awarded a contract through a competitive bid process to deploy ECPINS M across the RNZN's entire fleet, as well as throughout the Navy's training facilities. A deciding factor in awarding this contract is said to have been ECPINS M's high level of compliance with the North Atlantic Treat Organisation (NATO) Warship Electronic Chart Display Information System (WECDIS) standard. Advancement of the W upgrade will ensure the RNZN fleet is fully compliant with the NATO WECDIS STANAG.

PARTIES SIGN UP TO DELAYED ICT SUPPORT AGREEMENT

After several months of delay since first being down-selected, the Department of Defence has now signed an agreement with Unisys Australia to improve the quality of information communication technology (ICT) service delivery at Defence bases and sites across Australia. Defence's regional ICT operations provide day-to-day management, administration and support to over 100,000 desktop computers at 460 Defence bases and sites throughout regional Australia. Unisys will now manage such operations under strict policy and performance standards oversighted by Defence, and including strict security standards and procedures. The transition of Defence's regional ICT operations to Unisys is expected to take about 18 months.

SMS MANAGEMENT & TECHNOLOGY IN DRAMATIC REVENUE INCREASE

SMS Management & Technology CEO, Tom Stianos, says the company has made "good progress" towards becoming a true end-to-end supplier of management services through extending its service offerings. During the last six months, this objective saw a restructuring of SMS' Enterprise Solutions division, and investment to accelerate the growth of its Defence Solutions business. Staff numbers have increased from 892 in December 2006, to 1,299 at December 2007. Release of the company's half year financial results (to 31 December 2007) saw revenue increase by 60%, to reach $119m. Earnings (EBITDA) increased by 47% (to $14.2m), and net profit after tax increased by 51% to $10.4m.

REVIEW OF JAPAN-AUSTRALIA SECURITY DECLARATION

A new issue of the Australian Journal of International Affairs specifically examines last year' s Japan-Australia security declaration, and the perceived unilaterialism pursued by the Bush administration in international security matters. Article author, Brendan Taylor, controversially challenges the presumed multilateral aversion of the George W Bush administration, as exampled by the March 2003 invasion of Iraq. Taylor nevertheless contends that Bush - with regard to the Asia Pacific region - has been a far more committed multilateralist than is generally acknowledged. He notes the subject region has largely rejected Bush's brand of multilateralism, leading to the increasing marginalisation of the US in terms of the emerging Asia-Pacific security architecture.

LAND 144 CONTENDER CONTINUES TO PROVE ITS POSITION

The German Army's Meppen-based Technical centre for Weapons & Ammunition has published its final findings in regard to the results of trials with the 8.1 metric ton remote-controlled 'Mini MineWolf' mine clearing machine, when matched against simulated armour piercing (AP) and live anti-tank mines (AT) with explosive yields up to 13.5 kg of TNT. Both the 'tiller' and 'flail' working tools were tested for effectiveness in clearing AP mines, and survivability against seven different AT mine types, including stacked mines. All damage incurred was repairable in the field, with the prime mover suffering no damage. AP mines were simulated using computer-controlled Wirelessly Operated Reproduction Mines (WORMs) developed by the Canadian Centre for Mine Action Technologies (CCMAT).

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