Australian Ground Forces: Between Reform and Modernization

17

Structure of the Australian Army

Despite the absence of land borders with other countries, Australia has built and maintains its own land forces. Since 2009, a plan to create an "adaptive army" has been carried out, the result of which has been the restructuring of the ground forces with remarkable results. Then the rearmament program started. As a result, the army, having a limited number, is well trained and armed, and also shows high combat effectiveness.

General features


Currently, 31 thousand people serve in the Australian Army. OK. 16 thousand are in reserve. The army includes motorized infantry, landing, tank, artillery and other units, army aviation, logistics and procurement parts, etc. Battalions and companies for various purposes are combined into mixed brigades - the main tactical unit of the ground forces. There are several training centers for personnel.




Army units and units are stationed in all areas of the country and can quickly go to designated areas of Australia or, if necessary, prepare to be sent abroad. Depending on the assigned mission, ground forces can work independently or in cooperation with other types of armed forces.

Specific structure


Several main structures are subordinate to the SV commander. This is the 1st division, military command and special operations command. Of greatest interest is the 1st Division, which is a constant readiness instrument for various operations and / or high-intensity combat training.


The 1st Division includes its own headquarters and several support units. Other compounds are included in its composition in accordance with the assigned tasks. So, at the moment it has been given the command of the landing force with one regiment and two training centers. If necessary, the command can accept other connections for various purposes.

Under the command of the military command are the 1st, 3rd and 7th combined-arms brigades, which are directly responsible for the implementation of combat missions, the 6th communications and command brigade, the 16th aviation and 17th support. "Combat" brigades include a cavalry (armored) regiment, infantry and artillery regiments, communications and support units. The 16th Aviation Brigade has three regiments based in different regions of the country.


The military command includes the 2nd division - reserve. It has six mixed brigades, similar in structure to combat combined-arms brigades. There is a training brigade with six regiments throughout the country.

The Special Operations Command operates one SAS regiment, two commando regiments, support units, and training structures.

Material part


The main infantry armament of the Australian Army is the F88 Austeyr automatic rifle of foreign design and local production. Modern imported rifles are used only in special forces. The main machine guns are the F89 Minimi and FN MAG 58. There are a number of high-precision weapons and grenade launchers, mainly of foreign production. Infantry anti-tank weapons - Swedish L14 grenade launchers and American Javelin anti-tank systems.


The main striking force of the army is the M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks - 59 units. The main infantry vehicle for the battlefield is the M113AS3 / 4 armored personnel carrier in the amount of over 400 units. There are more than 250 ASLAV armored personnel carriers. A fairly numerous fleet of various armored vehicles has been built, more than 2 thousand units. Logistics tasks are assigned to cars and trucks of various models with a total number of more than 7 thousand units.

Engineering equipment is available to support the work of armored and motorized rifle units. Together with the Abrams tanks, they purchased 13 M88A2 armored vehicles. Together with the armored personnel carrier, 32 ASLAV-F and ASLAV-R vehicles serve. In service are two types of mine clearance machines and tank bridgelayers.

Artillery is represented by towed howitzers M777A2 caliber 155 mm (54 units) and 185 mortars F2 (portable system caliber 81 mm). Self-propelled and anti-aircraft artillery is missing. The main air defense system is the Swedish-made RBS-70 MANPADS - approx. 30 complexes.


Army Aviation has approx. 120 helicopters for various purposes. The basis of this fleet is the medium transport helicopters MRH-90 (41 units) and UH-60 (20 units). There are 10 heavy CH-47s. Combat aviation is represented by 22 reconnaissance and strike Eurocopter Tiger. UAVs of several types are also being delivered - light and medium reconnaissance aircraft. Some of the aviation equipment is used by the ground forces and the naval forces on a joint basis.

The amphibious forces have 15 LARC-V amphibious transporters at their disposal. Also, the army airborne units own 12 LCM-8 boats. Other amphibious assault and landing craft are naval forces.


New purchases


Currently, the Australian Army is purchasing a number of the latest equipment and weapons to replace outdated materiel. In parallel, tests and other activities are being carried out, as a result of which new purchase contracts will appear. Such plans were drawn up until the early thirties and provide for a radical change in the fleet of equipment.

A contract has already been signed for the supply of 211 German-made Boxer wheeled BMPs. With their help, cash ASLAV armored vehicles will be replaced. Later, the write-off of the outdated M113AS3 / 4 will begin - now, within the framework of the corresponding competition, they are looking for a replacement for them. In the near future, the delivery of Norwegian air defense systems NASAMS-2 is expected. Then it is planned to purchase new MANPADS. The development of infantry equipment, communications and command facilities, vehicles, etc. will continue.

In the short and medium term, the army will have to select and implement several fundamentally new systems for itself. It is planned to adopt an operational-tactical missile system, deploy coastal missile systems, purchase patrol boats for operation on rivers, etc. The emergence and adoption of new systems in the field of intelligence, control, communications, cyber security, etc. is possible.


Between the past and the future


The Australian Ground Forces are of great interest in terms of organization, equipment, goals and objectives, as well as approaches to construction and modernization. Several years ago, they completed their restructuring of their structure into an "adaptive army", and now a major upgrade of materiel is underway. Now the army is between two stages and you can observe it in an "intermediate" position, and also draw some conclusions.

First of all, attention is drawn to the relatively small size and number of ground forces, their weapons and equipment. The specific geographical position and the military-political situation in the region allow Australia to reasonably save on the army and reduce its size to the required minimum, while maintaining the required reserve.

In the course of recent reforms, the structure of the ground forces has been changed in order to optimize quantitative and qualitative parameters. So, several combined-arms brigades are supplemented by the 1st division of variable composition, capable of taking various formations under its command and solving assigned tasks. If necessary, the "active" grouping can be quickly reinforced by several reserve brigades.


In terms of equipment, the Australian army is quite developed, but in a number of areas it is seriously inferior to other armed forces. There are outdated samples, and a number of areas are simply not closed, which negatively affects the combat effectiveness. Necessary measures are being taken, but updating and “closing the gaps” will take a long time.

The existing potential is actively used both in the course of our own and international exercises and in real military and peacekeeping operations outside Australian territory. Fulfillment of current plans for the development of the army will increase defense capability and other capabilities. The current modernization program is scheduled for several years ahead, and some of its aspects have not yet been determined. The results of all past and future activities will be clear by the end of the decade.
Our news channels

Subscribe and stay up to date with the latest news and the most important events of the day.

17 comments
Information
Dear reader, to leave comments on the publication, you must sign in.
  1. +3
    18 August 2020 19: 06
    Thanks for the interesting material! I would also like to read about the Australian Navy.
    1. Cat
      +1
      18 August 2020 19: 15
      about the Australian Navy

      So yes, on the land of Australia there is actually no one to fight, tanks - as many as 2 battalions. And about the Air Force, judging by the lack of air defense (apart from MANPADS), Australia follows the American concept - the best air defense is the Air Force.
      1. 0
        18 August 2020 19: 22
        So yes, there is actually no one to fight on the land of Australia.


        Yes, they have graters with Indonesia. Although I think that they will never get to something serious.
        1. Cat
          +2
          18 August 2020 19: 53
          So that's why there are already three regiments in the MTR (SAS and 2 commandos). Surprisingly, Australia does not have a separate Marine Corps, apparently, these two commando regiments are considered amphibious. And Indonesia is a strongly insular state.
    2. -1
      18 August 2020 19: 42
      Quote: bulava
      Thanks for the interesting material! I would also like to read about the Australian Navy.

      They took it off the tongue. To the author: it would be nice to write about the Air Force and the Australian Navy.
    3. -1
      18 August 2020 19: 54
      Quote: bulava
      I would also like to read about the Australian Navy.

      Read the ZVO, although not entirely fresh - it is professionally described there:
      Australian Navy
      NAVAL FORCES / 22 JUNE 2014, 21:43
      Australia is a member of a number of aggressive military-political blocs created in Asia by the imperialists for the so-called "collective struggle against subversion" within their countries and suppression of the national liberation movement of the peoples of Southeast Asia. Therefore, it is no coincidence that the ships of the Australian Navy as part of the US 7th Fleet took an active part in the war that the American aggressors unleashed in Vietnam.
      The naval forces of Australia are intended, according to the ruling circles, to defend the country and protect sea communications linking it with other states. However, the presence of a multipurpose aircraft carrier, URO destroyers, frigates and submarines in the fleet indicates that the Australian Navy is aimed at conducting active combat operations of an offensive nature.
      The Australian Navy is an independent branch of the armed forces. They are led by the Chief of Staff of the Navy, who is directly subordinate to the Minister of Defense and is a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. The Navy headquarters is located in Canberra.
      Subordinate to the Chief of Staff of the Navy are the Commander of the Navy, the heads of three directorates (personnel, maintenance, supply and construction work), and the commanders of four naval regions.

      Full text:
      http://www.zvo.su/VMS/voenno-morskie-sily-avstralii.html
      1. +3
        18 August 2020 20: 43
        I would also like to read about the Australian Navy.

        Read the ZVO, although not entirely fresh - it is professionally described there:

        Australia is a member of a number of aggressive military-political blocs created in Asia by the imperialists for the so-called "collective struggle against subversion" within their countries and suppression of the national liberation movement of the peoples of Southeast Asia.
        wassat wassat
        In no case read the ZVO.
        However, the presence in the combat composition of the fleet of a multipurpose aircraft carrier
        This is HMAS "Melbourne", the ship was laid down in 1943, sold to Australia in 1949, withdrawn from the Navy in 1982, sold to China in 1985.
        all other information in the ZVO is of the same "freshness")))
        Currently, the Australian Navy includes:
        6 submarines of "COLLINS" class (diesel-electric)
        2 helicopter carriers () class "CANBERRA"
        1 UDC class "CHOULES" L100
        3 "HOBART" class destroyers
        8 frigates "ANZAC" class
        13 patrol ships, 6 minesweepers, various auxiliary vessels.
        1. 0
          18 August 2020 21: 13
          Quote: Legionista
          In no case read the ZVO.

          Why? Do you think more competent authors write here on the forum?
          Quote: Legionista
          This is HMAS "Melbourne", the ship was laid down in 1943, sold to Australia in 1949, withdrawn from the Navy in 1982, sold to China in 1985.

          It was in the context of the Vietnam War - then he was part of the Navy, and this is directly stated in the preface:
          Australia is a member of a number of aggressive military-political blocs created in Asia by the imperialists for the so-called "collective struggle against subversion" within their countries and suppression of the national liberation movement of the peoples of Southeast Asia.
  2. +2
    18 August 2020 20: 04
    What kind of papelac is in the last photo?
    1. +1
      18 August 2020 20: 21
      Apparently this is IFV Close Combat Vehicle - in-depth modernization of the BMP "Marder"
      1. +2
        18 August 2020 20: 24
        Quote: hiller
        Apparently this is IFV Close Combat Vehicle - in-depth modernization of the BMP "Marder"


        What is he doing in Australia? There was no procurement decision.
    2. +1
      18 August 2020 20: 31
      Rheinmetall Lynx in the KF41 D df variant presented at the Eurosatory Defense exhibition on June 12, 2018.
  3. 0
    18 August 2020 20: 30
    Interesting and more
    Recently it became known that the Australian army adopted targets depicting the T-14 "Armata" tank and other various armored vehicles of the Russian Federation. They are made using modern 3D technologies. The consumers of such products will be Australian tank drivers and shooters from grenade launchers, infantrymen, and gunners.
    As correctly noted in the source - "Where is Australia and where is Russia"! ??
  4. mvg
    +1
    18 August 2020 21: 25
    There the ratio of technology to people, in the course of 1: 1. 31 thousand people, 2 thousand armored vehicles, 7 thousand passenger and cargo, plus crews of tanks and infantry fighting vehicles. The most equipped army. wink
    And not the weakest of the Navy, but taking into account the purchase of Barracudas, not bad at all.
    1. -4
      18 August 2020 21: 53
      Against the background of the first guards tank Papuans, what is it. Honestly. smile
  5. -3
    19 August 2020 05: 01
    Australian Ground Forces: Between Reform and Modernization
    Yes. Cowboys. Tomorrow go to China, they, today, clean the gun. Who is the main potential enemy of Australia - China. If a decision is made there, will 2 divisions stop them? Joining alliances and blocs will not stop either. But the presence of US troops in Australia exactly... Trump demands payment of protection in one form or another - give. Yes, they will shit, but the mentality is the same (the descendants of criminals) will not kill each other, they know the rules.
    The US must decide on the main danger, the strengths of the PRC, the RF or the EU. For the leap in development of the PRC, the occupation of Australia is very well suited. Therefore, it is more profitable for the United States to withdraw its bases from the EU and move them "further south." crying
  6. +2
    19 August 2020 14: 34
    1 picture, why is it? You can't see it under a microscope, anyhow, boo?

"Right Sector" (banned in Russia), "Ukrainian Insurgent Army" (UPA) (banned in Russia), ISIS (banned in Russia), "Jabhat Fatah al-Sham" formerly "Jabhat al-Nusra" (banned in Russia) , Taliban (banned in Russia), Al-Qaeda (banned in Russia), Anti-Corruption Foundation (banned in Russia), Navalny Headquarters (banned in Russia), Facebook (banned in Russia), Instagram (banned in Russia), Meta (banned in Russia), Misanthropic Division (banned in Russia), Azov (banned in Russia), Muslim Brotherhood (banned in Russia), Aum Shinrikyo (banned in Russia), AUE (banned in Russia), UNA-UNSO (banned in Russia), Mejlis of the Crimean Tatar People (banned in Russia), Legion “Freedom of Russia” (armed formation, recognized as terrorist in the Russian Federation and banned)

“Non-profit organizations, unregistered public associations or individuals performing the functions of a foreign agent,” as well as media outlets performing the functions of a foreign agent: “Medusa”; "Voice of America"; "Realities"; "Present time"; "Radio Freedom"; Ponomarev; Savitskaya; Markelov; Kamalyagin; Apakhonchich; Makarevich; Dud; Gordon; Zhdanov; Medvedev; Fedorov; "Owl"; "Alliance of Doctors"; "RKK" "Levada Center"; "Memorial"; "Voice"; "Person and law"; "Rain"; "Mediazone"; "Deutsche Welle"; QMS "Caucasian Knot"; "Insider"; "New Newspaper"