Australian Department of Defense, Defence rejects the claims made by Channel Seven that Australian Defence Force personnel lack high quality weapons and equipment.
Defence believes that Channel 7s ‘investigative report’ is based entirely on selective and exaggerated use of information gained from a Freedom of Information Request on 13 August 2007. In responding to this request, Defence provided Channel 7 with information on faults with ammunition and weapons used by service personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq during a two-year period between April 2005 – April 2007.
Contrary to Channel 7s report, the information provided to them highlights that:
— Defence takes weapon safety seriously and responds quickly to all reported weapon faults and improvement recommendations. The Report on Unsatisfactory or Defective Material (RODUM) system is an effective, robust and well-used method of identifying and fixing equipment problems.
— The fact that Defence personnel use RODUMs to report equipment issues indicates they have a high level of confidence in the system.
— The relatively small number of RODUMs compared to Defence’s total inventory reinforces the very high standard of weapons and equipment.
— The results achieved by Defence personnel in harsh operational environments in places like Iraq and Afghanistan bears testimony to their training, leadership, commitment and equipment.
In response to the specific claims made in the Channel 7 report, Defence confirms that:
STEYRS
Since 2005 there have been three RODUMs submitted in relation to the F88 AUSTEYR (Steyr Rifle) – two in 2005 and one in December 2006. Each of these RODUMs related to minor faults in a relatively small number of weapons.
For example, the unit which submitted the December 2006 RODUM used 400 weapons over a four-month operational period. During this time spring kits were replaced in only 14 weapons.
This is not excessive and is considered part of the normal repair and maintenance regime.
WEAPON MOUNTS
Army currently has serviceable mounts for the MK19 and the other weapon systems mounted to patrol vehicles.
These mounts have undergone a number of local modifications to tailor them to the specific vehicle upon which they are to be employed. They are operating effectively in Afghanistan today.
Army is undertaking continuous improvement of this equipment and also working toward a common mount for all weapon systems.
SNIPER RIFLE
The RODUM system identified the barrel cleaner for the sniper rifle was not cleaning barrels effectively and an alternative was suggested. The suggested alternative was found to be unacceptable from an Occupational Health and Safety perspective.
Contrary to Channel 7s assertion that this decision reflects bureaucratic interference, it was designed to protect the health and safety of Defence personnel.
A more suitable cleaning agent is being provided that achieves an acceptable cleaning effect and is safe to use.
EXPLOSIVE ORDNANCE (EO)
More than 10 million items of EO were issued in support of operations during 2006/ 07. Only 44 RODUMs related to EO were reported during this period.
Channel 7 has used the RODUM system to highlight negative aspects of equipment quality. The fact is that the relatively small number of RODUMs compared to Defence’s extensive inventory reinforces the very high standard of our weapons and equipment.
Channel 7s claims are sensationalistic and are designed to mislead the Australian public about the true state of ADF equipment. The families of Defence personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan don’t deserve to be alarmed by this type of misleading coverage.
Defence calls on Channel 7 to review its coverage of the story and present a more accurate reporting of the facts.
