Australian Army Discussions and Updates

Lolcake

Active Member
Apache helicopters to be based in Townsville - Australian Defence Magazine
Confirmation that 1 Avn Regt with the AH-64E is moving to Townsville and the UH-60M will all be based in Sydney. This is to simplify maintenance of the ADFs Helicopter fleet with all Boeing Helicopters (AH-64, CH-47) in Townsville and all Sikorsky Helicopters (MH-60R, UH-60M) in Sydney, the only exception would be a small number of AH-64 and UH-60Ms at the Aviation school at Oakey.
Wonder if Singapore's 8-10 of CH-47Fs at Oakey would be moved around too
 

MARKMILES77

Active Member
A mock-up of an Australian AS-9 Huntsman undergoing ballistic testing in South Korea:
View attachment 50638


Army will first receive two AS9s, modelled off the South Korean K9 Thunder, and an AS10 armoured ammunition resupply vehicle imported from South Korea.

Construction of a new Hanwha Defense Australia factory is underway near Avalon, Victoria, where the remaining 42 vehicles will begin production in Australia late next year.

Hanwha has been working with the ADF to integrate Australian 155mm shells, including the new Rheinmetall Assegai munitions.
So first two guns will come of the South Korean line and only 28 will be built at Avalon.
How can Australian production be justified.
Also those South Korean guns will arrive next year, 2024.
 

Stampede

Well-Known Member
So first two guns will come of the South Korean line and only 28 will be built at Avalon.
How can Australian production be justified.
Also those South Korean guns will arrive next year, 2024.
Yes production numbers for SPG's and resupply vehicles look limiting as is !
Still hopeful for that second Tranche before production winds down.

Cheers S
 

Nudge

New Member
A mock-up of an Australian AS-9 Huntsman undergoing ballistic testing in South Korea:
View attachment 50638


Dear Dept of Defence:
I know it's trendy phrase used in many context, but I really object to the headline refering to the AS-9 being a "game changer". Delivering, and being protected from the application of lethal force is hardly a game. It's not the footy on Saturday night.

So much of a 'game changer' that the Government just decided to procure half as many AS-9/10 as originally planned and consign that many troops to the 'old game' of a lesser standard of firepower and protection?

I'm sure the good Private who wrote the story didn't write the headline, but some website editor/sub editor. There are plenty of sites out there that trivialise defence stories as entertainment, but please not the CoA DoD.
 

Massive

Well-Known Member
How can Australian production be justified.
Imagine the ultimate number is more like 100 if the strategic environment continues to worsen.

The M777 is obsolete, and more firepower is required not less.

And even on the oft-quoted mythical pacific/SEA island where only the M777 would be effective - the fact that a pair of AS9 with a single 10 in support would be far more effective that a battery of M777 (or a couple of regiments if the opposing force has even a relatively modest loitering munition capability) seems to be completely lost.

I am at a loss to be honest. Hard to understand what is going on.

Regards,

Massive
 

Morgo

Well-Known Member
Imagine the ultimate number is more like 100 if the strategic environment continues to worsen.

The M777 is obsolete, and more firepower is required not less.

And even on the oft-quoted mythical pacific/SEA island where only the M777 would be effective - the fact that a pair of AS9 with a single 10 in support would be far more effective that a battery of M777 (or a couple of regiments if the opposing force has even a relatively modest loitering munition capability) seems to be completely lost.

I am at a loss to be honest. Hard to understand what is going on.

Regards,

Massive
My guess is that this is an accounting issue. More SPHs and IFVs beyond what has been announced are, in my view, highly likely for all the reasons articulated on here. But the gov wants to push the cost outside the forward estimates so the budget balance looks better.

Probably some real reduction, but otherwise this is a timing issue I think. I hope I am right.
 

Volkodav

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Current cost of living pressures are creating issues with the optics of increased defence spending.

There is actually a substantial, almost embarrassing, budget surplus. SPG and the original IFV numbers could be covered quite easily, it just wouldn't go down well with voters who are suffering mortgage and cost of living stress.
 

Bob53

Well-Known Member
Current cost of living pressures are creating issues with the optics of increased defence spending.

There is actually a substantial, almost embarrassing, budget surplus. SPG and the original IFV numbers could be covered quite easily, it just wouldn't go down well with voters who are suffering mortgage and cost of living stress.
However the budget surplus is likely to be short lived and a significant reversal is on the cards. I hope @Morgo is right about future orders. if not we could order a few thousand Yamaha TT700s to get to the front…a man ridden swarm..
 
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MickB

Well-Known Member
My guess is that this is an accounting issue. More SPHs and IFVs beyond what has been announced are, in my view, highly likely for all the reasons articulated on here. But the gov wants to push the cost outside the forward estimates so the budget balance looks better.

Probably some real reduction, but otherwise this is a timing issue I think. I hope I am right.
By the time production of the currently ordered SPGs and IFVs is complete we will have had several election cycles.
A possible new gov will have its own defence plan.
This may include expanded vehicle numbers. Only the future will tell.
 

Stampede

Well-Known Member
Dear Dept of Defence:
I know it's trendy phrase used in many context, but I really object to the headline refering to the AS-9 being a "game changer". Delivering, and being protected from the application of lethal force is hardly a game. It's not the footy on Saturday night.

So much of a 'game changer' that the Government just decided to procure half as many AS-9/10 as originally planned and consign that many troops to the 'old game' of a lesser standard of firepower and protection?

I'm sure the good Private who wrote the story didn't write the headline, but some website editor/sub editor. There are plenty of sites out there that trivialise defence stories as entertainment, but please not the CoA DoD.
I found this of interest in the attachment for the As-9

"Elphinstone, a company on the north coast of Tasmania, will manufacture the hulls and turrets."

I made the false assumption that most manufacture rather than just assembly would be at the new Hanwha Defence factory near Avalon.

Well done Elphinstone in Burnie. Impressive list of projects on your website.

Just wondering what does this look like should the Redback prove successful.

This was in the ADM


So Avalon or out sourced to Elphinstone?

Pending an outcome I guess.
Phase 3 were are you!

Cheers S
 

Bob53

Well-Known Member
By the time production of the currently ordered SPGs and IFVs is complete we will have had several election cycles.
A possible new gov will have its own defence plan.
This may include expanded vehicle numbers. Only the future will tell.
Mod Edit: OT text deleted. Please read the Forum Rules before posting again. As a gentle (for now) reminder to all posters, DefenceTalk isn't the correct forum to engage in political discussions.
-Preceptor
 
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ADMk2

Just a bloke
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
I found this of interest in the attachment for the As-9

"Elphinstone, a company on the north coast of Tasmania, will manufacture the hulls and turrets."

I made the false assumption that most manufacture rather than just assembly would be at the new Hanwha Defence factory near Avalon.

Well done Elphinstone in Burnie. Impressive list of projects on your website.

Just wondering what does this look like should the Redback prove successful.

This was in the ADM


So Avalon or out sourced to Elphinstone?

Pending an outcome I guess.
Phase 3 were are you!

Cheers S
Elphinstone are a sub-contractor to Hanwha for LAND 8116.

The hulls and turrets will be shipped to Avalon. Mated to other major components there, assembled, finished (including painting processes) and tested.

Lots of pieces coming from different places…
 

Bob53

Well-Known Member
Looks like a formal pitch has been submitted by Sea Transport for its stern landing vessel. Not sure how a pitch vs bid is delineated in this case. How do they protect the propulsion units? Would they withdraw into the hull when backing in?
 

Stampede

Well-Known Member
Looks like a formal pitch has been submitted by Sea Transport for its stern landing vessel. Not sure how a pitch vs bid is delineated in this case. How do they protect the propulsion units? Would they withdraw into the hull when backing in?
An interesting vessel.
Had a look at one berthed at Lady Barron on Flinders Island.
Certainly gone from concept to a working platform.

Trust defence get a move on with the Medium / Heavy LAND 8710 Project.
I thought it was to be a priority in the DSR.

ARMY Littorial manoeuvre

Still think the Medium category should of being 50m plus.

Waiting to see what transpires.


Cheers S
 
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