ADF General discussion thread

Redlands18

Well-Known Member
Would those armoured trucks as shown prevent a drone carrying an explosive that can defeat tanks be of use against a direct hit , I had in mind electronic warfare additions to such vehicles trophy being likely to be considered to expensive
No they are not going to stop a guided AP round, but how many un-armoured vehicles are being targeted with expensive anti-tank missiles when a small far cheaper HE round or bomb will do the job. If the enemy has the resources to use Anti-Tank AP weapons against your logistical vehicles than you may be in a lot of trouble.
 

ADMk2

Just a bloke
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
I'm with @Todjaeger - I don't believe we actually have a strike capability, despite all the words and dollars.

To me, you have to use the USN model, because the stated target is a PRC target. It's fine to throw a handful of RN Tomahawk or MDcN at Houthi, Syrian or Libyan targets. They barely have an air defence network and the targets have little passive defence. Even then, some of those targets needed 30 -50% of Australian stock to hit, partially for redundancy and partially due to the demands of the target - 61 for an airfield and 105 for three targets.

With all that in mind, how many will we need against a PRC target? They have hardening, passive and active defences and much longer detection range. We didn't buy them to hit rebels in Pacific islands, we bought them explicitly to deter Beijing. Which means we have to hit PRC targets... And if you need 100 missiles to kill a single target, what deterrence does killing a whole two PRC targets achieve?

In it's purest definition, we have a strike capability in that we (when delivered) have missiles, platforms, (assumed) targeting, pre- and post-strike ISR, and all the logistics and other FIC needed. But, can I as a professional say, with a straight face, we have a strike capability (let alone one that deters)? Nope.

(And, while searching for the Syrian links.... deja vu! With @Todjaeger featuring too!)
I agree it is not a deterrent. The presence of the entire capability set of the USN (besides boomers) can’t even deter the Houthis and stating that it is a deterrent against the PRC is infantile at best or deluded at worst.

Our capability as in so many areas is a pin- prick, but it IS a capability nonetheless.
 

old faithful

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Yeah.....Adam Giles......former Chief Minister of the NT....Lib/Nat then......was the minister who sold the TIO and leased the Port of Darwin the PRC......defence......yeah right.
 

seaspear

Well-Known Member
They seem to be getting serious in the recruitment or desperate , is four years too long though if you wanted to get people who are serving or have good qualifications something that should be reflected on, Im not saying directly poach but for many there is better pay and conditions per the A.D.F
 

DDG38

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
They seem to be getting serious in the recruitment or desperate , is four years too long though if you wanted to get people who are serving or have good qualifications something that should be reflected on, Im not saying directly poach but for many there is better pay and conditions per the A.D.F
We already do that via lateral recruitment and not just within 5EYES countries.
 

Bluey 006

Active Member
According to evidence submitted to the U.K. House of Commons Environment Audit Committee (EAC), Russia has discovered huge oil reserves in British territory in Antarctica. The reserves uncovered contain around 511 billion barrels. Equating to around 10 times the North Sea’s output over the last 50 years.

This is not insignificant in the current geopolitical environment. Nations have gone to war for a lot less.

Australia’s claimed territory hosts permanent research stations from countries that do not recognise its claims: Russia (which has two stations), India, and China.

As we face increasing global competition, climate change, and scarce resources, it is not unreasonable that an isolated and exiled state would seek to pursue such a significant claim. If competition for resources intensifies in Antarctica, (even if Australia is not directly involved) it would be a huge challenge to Australia's security. Large-scale extraction or open conflict in such an inhospitable environment may be highly unlikely, but it might be time to consider what the militarisation of Antarctica looks like, the appropriate response to it, the threshold for response and our capabilities to do so.

Signed in 1959, the Antarctic Treaty was designed to ensure Antarctica is only ever used for peaceful and scientific purposes; the world was a different place then. The shared commitment remains for now, but how long is anyone's guess?

This should be a reminder that threats can come from any direction, and we need to be prepared to meet such threats should the need arise.

The defence review's "focused force" is gazing north, meanwhile someone left the back gate open. In an uncertain future, we need a well-rounded force (military or otherwise) prepared for a variety of contingencies.
 
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John Fedup

The Bunker Group
Assuming everyone abides by the Antarctica treaty, the world may be so altered by climate change the huge hydrocarbon reserves might not matter after 2048. Mineral resources might be an issue but extracting them, even in the second half of the century, will remain difficult.

As for a deterrent militarization, submarines for a starter seems like the best solution. All potential trouble makers have a long transit to the southern ocean and NZ and Australia can host many friends. Just my two cents.
 

hauritz

Well-Known Member
Tiger helicopter smoking on a golf course.
Doesn't sound serious, just a bad look. Not that I know much about helo engine maintenance.

Just hope it's not a supply chain issue...

The Apaches are due next year so anything more than an oil leak onto a hot manifold and it could be heading for the the parts bin.
 

DDG38

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro

Bob53

Well-Known Member
Assuming everyone abides by the Antarctica treaty, the world may be so altered by climate change the huge hydrocarbon reserves might not matter after 2048. Mineral resources might be an issue but extracting them, even in the second half of the century, will remain difficult.

As for a deterrent militarization, submarines for a starter seems like the best solution. All potential trouble makers have a long transit to the southern ocean and NZ and Australia can host many friends. Just my two cents.
That oil won’t be needed by then. The world will be running on 3000% renewables and because of that the earth will have cooled and the ice cap will be 3 miles thick.
 

Lolcake

Active Member
This is an interesting read and one everyone here who's busy obsessing over which shiny new toy the ADF should buy next should read as it gets to the heart of the ADF's biggest problem, recruiting people. Some interesting points about generational changes in attitudes due to various factors and links to further reading : Gen Z is turning away from military service in record numbers. We’re trying to understand why
Wonder If this tilts everything towards the FFM Mogami as a given. Anything else wouldn't really make sense with the current crisis.
 
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