#Official Defence Thread

[[Shuz]]

Who knows what the future holds, right now it looks likely we'll have a two-term, possibly three - Albanese Labor Government, but on the off chance the Liberals return to power after just one term, Dutton has committed to building a civil nuclear industry so if that happened, I'd agree SA would be well positioned to tie in nuclear storage and nuclear power generation here alongside the maintainence of nuclear reactors on the subs and build up a workforce of people involved in nuclear related technologies here. I wouldn't be opposed to it and think it would be a strong boost to our economic credentials.

Unlikely, but seems logical.

[abc]

Governments stuffed up because the think tanks they rely on to formulate much of their policies stuffed up in their assessments with regards to China for example.

We should have selected nuclear subs long ago, and had at least a few operational by now.

We should never have selected a French nuclear design and then bastardized it by trying to make it a diesel electric.

Our foreign policy isn't aligned with the French, it is aligned with the USA as is the UK. That should weigh heavily on procurements.
Spanish designed destroyers aside, they're carrying American technology such as AEGIS which our frigates will have as well, and the ability to launch tomahawk cruise missiles, which I think is on the cards for the destroyers and the Collins class.
The Collins class has the same battle management systems as the Virginia class subs.

The EU is a paper tiger. It doesnt have a single foreign policy let alone military force. Most of Europe relies in American military power and logistical support.
Its the Americans deploying armour to Eastern Europe to guard against Russia not Germany or the French.
Theyre not going to be there when we need them. The Americans will, because they have a vested interest in Australia besides selling us weapons.

Only negatives i can see in this deal is the time till the Virginias arrive from the USA, and the time till the new class of subs starts getting built.

that Sky News education

You're right though our foreign policy is aligned with the US warmongering industry. We pay, they profit.
Vassal state.

Fuck off GHS.

who?

[Pistol]

I'm not sure whether anyone else has seen the new Maritime Combat System Integration Centre (MCSIC) at St Kilda recently?
This is an enormous building where they will be integrating full combat system suites prior to being installed onto the ships.
It has just been completed and, when at full capability, will house hundreds of very specialised PMs and engineers.

The fact that Adelaide has become the epicentre of combat system integration across the RAN's major surface combatants has really gone under the radar (pardon the pun)...

[rev]

I'm not sure whether anyone else has seen the new Maritime Combat System Integration Centre (MCSIC) at St Kilda recently?
This is an enormous building where they will be integrating full combat system suites prior to being installed onto the ships.
It has just been completed and, when at full capability, will house hundreds of very specialised PMs and engineers.

The fact that Adelaide has become the epicentre of combat system integration across the RAN's major surface combatants has really gone under the radar (pardon the pun)...

https://www.manmonthly.com.au/hunter-cl ... t-systems/

This thing?

[SBD]

I'm not sure whether anyone else has seen the new Maritime Combat System Integration Centre (MCSIC) at St Kilda recently?
This is an enormous building where they will be integrating full combat system suites prior to being installed onto the ships.
It has just been completed and, when at full capability, will house hundreds of very specialised PMs and engineers.

The fact that Adelaide has become the epicentre of combat system integration across the RAN's major surface combatants has really gone under the radar (pardon the pun)...

https://www.manmonthly.com.au/hunter-cl ... t-systems/

This thing?

I wonder if Defence Housing has a presence at Riverlea Park - 10km / 30 minutes by bike without using the main road if Google is to be believed about a back exit from the estate. 13 minutes drive using the main road.

It's good to see high-tech employment that won't require a long commute to the CBD.

[rev]

Osborne shipyard to triple in size for AUKUS nuclear submarines
Osborne will become just the fourth nuclear submarines shipyard in the AUKUS pact in a massive expansion that will create up to 5500 jobs and encircle a conservation reserve.

Gabriel Polychronis

Follow
@G_Polychronis
2 min read
March 20, 2023 - 7:00PM

Billions of dollars will be poured into Adelaide’s Osborne shipyard, transforming it into one of the world’s top defence building precincts.

Osborne will become the fourth submarine production line within the AUKUS security pact, joining Newport and Groton in the US and Barrow-in-Furness in the UK.

Located on South Australia’s Lefevre Peninsula, the shipyard is already garnering international recognition, due to world-leading innovation and automation technology used on the Hunter-class frigate program.

In order to construct highly complex nuclear-powered submarines under the AUKUS security pact, the Osborne precinct must triple in size.

The federal government has secured land just north of the existing shipyard, where the future SSN-AUKUS boats will be constructed.

About $2bn will be invested in new shipyard infrastructure at Osborne over the next four years to help establish the precinct as a world-leading destination for shipbuilding.

“You are talking about the most advanced technology in the world and it’s going to be right there in the heart of Adelaide,” said Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead, the head of Defence’s AUKUS taskforce.

“(It) will redefine South Australia’s industrial landscape that will bring a level of expertise and sophistication that is only seen in very few places in the world.”

The new nuclear submarine shipyard will be almost three times bigger than what was planned for the now-dumped French Attack-class project.

Code: Select all

NUCLEAR SUBS: A QUICK GUIDE
THE COST: The AUKUS program is forecast to cost $268bn to $368bn between now and the mid 2050s, or about 0.15 per cent of Australia’s GDP. The government will spend $9bn over the next four years, offset by cuts in Defence. Of this figure, about $2.5bn will be invested in US shipyards to boost production of the Virginia-class submarines and $500m in Britain. The remaining $5bn will be invested domestically, including $2bn for new South Australian infrastructure.

INDUSTRY: The trilateral nature of AUKUS will give rise to a unified supply chain, with all three partner countries contributing to each other’s industrial bases. This could involve SA companies creating parts to be fitted on Virginia-class submarines in the US. There will also be opportunities to sustain subs that will be rotating through HMAS Stirling – and the three US subs Australia will buy in the 2030s.

FORWARD ROTATIONS: The US plans to increase nuclear submarine port visits to Australia starting this year. This will allow Australian sailors to join US crews for training. The British navy will begin increasing visits in 2026. As early as 2027, Britain and the US will establish a rotational presence of one Astute-class submarine and four Virginia-class submarines at HMAS Stirling near Perth. It will be dubbed “Submarine Rotational Force - West”, boosting the presence of nuclear-powered submarines in the region while Australia works on acquiring its own nuclear fleet.

JOBS AND SKILLS: AUKUS will create 20,000 direct jobs across Australia over the next 30 years, including up to 8500 direct jobs in the industrial workforce alone. More than half – up to 5500 – of these will be in SA when construction at the Osborne shipyard reaches its peak in 20 to 30 years. Australia is facing a worrying skills shortage, particularly in nuclear expertise. Measures to address this shortfall include sending hundreds of civilian workers to learn in US and British shipyards. Navy officers will study nuclear courses in the two countries and be embedded on US and British nuclear submarines. Extra places in STEM courses will be added to SA universities and a shipbuilding academy will be created at Osborne.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Work will begin this year on a new state-of-the-art submarine shipyard at Osborne. Full details about the expansion have not been released yet, but last year the Coalition announced the existing shipyard would swell in size from 20ha to 65ha. The site earmarked for new infrastructure is just north of the existing yard. Artist’s impressions shows new infrastructure wrapping around Mutton Cove Conservation Reserve.
It will be almost three times larger than the yard forecast for the now-dumped Attack-class program. At least $2bn will be spent on new SA infrastructure over the forward estimates. Up to $8bn will be spent over the next decade upgrading HMAS Stirling near Perth.

WHAT WE'RE GETTING: Australia will buy three US Virginia-class nuclear submarines from 2033 to 2039. The US-made submarines could be a mix of new and second-hand vessels. This is seen as a stopgap measure to ensure Australia can operate nuclear-powered submarines in the highly contested Asia-Pacific region as quickly as possible. Starting this decade, Australia will begin constructing a fleet of SSN-AUKUS nuclear submarines designed in Britain and constructed at Adelaide’s Osborne shipyard. The first boat will be ready in 2042.

GLOBAL REACTION: No country is more infuriated with the AUKUS security pact than China. Beijing has been running an active misinformation campaign, spreading lies in attempts to undermine the pact. China falsely claimed Australia intends to use uranium in the submarine reactors to manufacture nuclear weapons and foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said the AUKUS nations were walking “down the path of error and danger”. France was left stunned and angry when former PM Scott Morrison dumped the $90bn Attack-class deal but Defence Minister Richard Marles says the relationship has been mended.

WHY WE'RE GOING NUCLEAR: War in Ukraine and China’s belligerence means Australia needs a more capable navy to protect its vulnerable trade routes and underwater cables. Diesel-electric subs can’t go as far and are not as stealthy as nuclear subs, which can stay under water indefinitely.

COLLINS SUBS: The $6.4bn Collins-class life-of-type extension will continue as planned. Each boat will undergo upgrades every two years from 2026. But overhauling all six may be unnecessary as Australia acquires Virginia-class subs in the 2030s. 

NUCLEAR CONCERNS: Australia has made assurances it will uphold the “highest non-proliferation standards” set by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The agency’s head visited Australia and gave the federal government a glowing review of its commitment to non-proliferation. A nuclear submarine lasts about 33 years, then the nuclear material in the reactor must be disposed of. Within a year, the federal government will announce a waste site.

Shipyard construction will be led by Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI).

ANI’s chief executive Andrew Seaton said “due diligence activities” had already started and construction would begin this year.

“The construction yard required to build the nuclear-powered submarine fleet in Osborne will be almost three times the total size of the yard which was previously envisaged, and will be built to the highest security, environmental and safety standards,” Mr Seaton said.

New artist impressions released by the federal government show the new shipyard wrapping around the Mutton Cove Conservation Reserve.


The preliminary design for the new Osborne shipyard, which will wrap around Mutton Cove Conservation Reserve.


Osborne’s transformation will have generational benefits for the wider state.

About $200bn will be injected into the South Australian economy as construction ramps up on the future nuclear submarines, according to Business SA chief Andrew Kay, who labelled it a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for SA’s business community.

Time will tell whether the AUKUS security pact will lead to a major long-term population boost in Adelaide – but about 5500 shipbuilders will be working on the SSN-AUKUS submarines when construction reaches its peak in 20-30 years’ time.

This figure is direct jobs only and doesn’t include the countless opportunities that will come with the massive economic injection over the next three decades and beyond.

About 20,000 direct jobs are associated with the AUKUS program nationwide.

A new shipbuilding training academy will be established at the shipyard, producing hundreds of apprentices in various trades each year.

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sou ... 7a59633f56

[mattblack]

New defence maintenance facility being developed next to RAAF Base Edinburgh. 450 jobs.

Jobs boom as aircraft defence facility takes flight in Adelaide’s north

Release date: 31/05/23

A major defence facility which will create hundreds of jobs in Adelaide’s north and reinforce South Australia’s reputation as the defence state has reached a key milestone, with the search to build the nation-leading project now underway.

A development partner is being sought to construct the Deeper Maintenance and Modification Facility (DMMF) at Penfield, after Renewal SA launched an Expression of Interest process this week.

The purpose-built facility is expected to deliver 450 full time construction jobs per year during the build, and up to 160 ongoing defence jobs in highly skilled roles such as advanced aircraft maintenance, engineering, avionics and logistics.

The project will accommodate the long-term deeper maintenance and modification of the Defence Force’s fleet of RAAF P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft and RAAF e-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft – enhancing the nation’s sovereign capabilities and enabling work to be carried out in Australia, rather than sending the planes offshore.

A 240m-long, 25m-high four-bay hangar will be used to service the aircraft, with significant modification programs for the Boeing-737 variants planned over the latter half of this decade – fuelling local economic activity and skilled jobs growth.

The 2.1-hectare facility – to be located on Womma Road next to RAAF Base Edinburgh – will be leased to the Commonwealth once completed and include warehousing, workshops and offices.

The Expression of Interest is the first in a two-stage market process to deliver the vital defence infrastructure, providing the Department of Defence a sovereign capability boost adjacent to one of its defence super bases.

The project further demonstrates South Australia is primed to deliver some of the nation’s most significant defence projects over the coming decades coinciding with the historic AUKUS Defence Partnership announcement, with the nuclear-powered submarines program to create thousands of jobs within the defence sector and its supply chain.

The investment in the DMMF aligns with the National Defence: Defence Strategic Review 2023 that seeks to underpin Australia’s sovereign industrial base and capabilities.

Subject to the necessary Commonwealth and State approvals, construction of the DMMF is expected to commence at the start of next year, with the facility operational by mid-2025.

Quotes
Attributable to Nick Champion
This project will not only deliver an important boost to our sovereign capability, but it will also create hundreds of jobs in the northern suburbs.

Our State’s capabilities are being sought across all arms of the nation’s defence force, from state-of-the-art aircraft to nuclear-powered submarines.

South Australia is at the forefront of the nation’s defence industry and the local opportunities that follow are why we are determined to keep leading the pack – and build our status as the home of defence jobs for future generations.

Attributable to Renewal SA Chief Executive Chris Menz
Renewal SA is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced construction partner for this project, as we continue to roll-out a pipeline of significant contract opportunities within our industrial portfolio.

Going forward, many of these projects will support the nation’s defence capabilities, presenting increased opportunities for partnering contractors to expand and strengthen their presence in a burgeoning sector as South Australia prepares to deliver some of the biggest military projects in the country’s history.

Attributable to City of Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty
The region has historically demonstrated that it has a capable, experienced and willing workforce and I expect that to continue during the construction and ongoing operation of this facility.

The Playford Council area, through the Greater Edinburgh Parks precinct, is expected to be a key employment area into the future, and the City welcomes investment that delivers local jobs for our growing and diverse community, while supporting a sector that is extremely important to our State.

[rev]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-01/ ... /102799164

Army considers removing Adelaide-based units following Defence Strategic Review
Exclusive by defence correspondent Andrew Greene
Posted 8h ago

Hundreds of soldiers could be moved out of South Australia under a planned restructure of the army, with the Department of Defence considering options on how best to transform the service for future "littoral" operations.

Military sources say under proposals yet to be approved by government, the Adelaide-based army units 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (7RAR) and 1st Armoured Regiment (1ARMD) are likely to be absorbed in the country's north.

One army figure, speaking on the condition of anonymity, has told the ABC hundreds of personnel stationed at Edinburgh in Adelaide's north are expecting to be eventually relocated.

"[The] announcement on the future restructuring of land forces was due for release at [this week's] Chief of Army Symposium in Perth [but] has been pushed till next week," the army insider said.

"[It] was going to see 1,000 soldiers removed from Adelaide with the re-linking of 5RAR and 7RAR in Darwin and 1ARMD moving to Townsville."

In late 2010, 7RAR was relocated from Robertson Barracks in the Northern Territory to its current headquarters in Edinburgh, South Australia.

The government is yet to confirm any of the proposed changes, but some army figures believe 1ARMD is unlikely to be moved to Townsville given the city already has an existing armoured regiment.

"It is possible though that a number of personnel may to go to Townsville to supplement 2nd Cavalry Regiment," an army insider said.

Another serving senior soldier told the ABC that given the army's current recruiting and retention problems the proposed changes make sense.

"Plan Beersheba [army's 2011 restructure] was great for maintaining rotations in Afghanistan, but sacrificing depth for breadth is especially bad with armour – every history book says don't penny packet your tanks," the army member, who is not authorised to comment publicly, told the ABC.

"Noting current recruiting issues, a battalion had to fold — hollow battalions aren't helpful."

In a statement, a defence spokesperson declined to answer specific questions about the proposed restructure but indicated an announcement would soon be made.

"The Defence Strategic Review (DSR) recommended and government agreed that army be transformed and optimised for littoral manoeuvre operations by sea, land, and air from Australia, with enhanced long-range fires," the spokesperson said.

"Army is working to determine how to best implement these changes. Further announcements will be made at the appropriate time."

This year's DSR concluded: "the land domain force structure design priorities must result in significant changes to army force posture and structure."

"Army's combat brigades must be re-roled and select capabilities postured in northern Australia," the public DSR report stated.

Another key factor for the latest army restructure is the DSR's decision to reduce the proposed number of infantry fighting vehicles from 450 to 129, meaning the current structure was no longer viable.

Neil James from the Australia Defence Association said he feared the proposed restructure was primarily about saving money for the government.

"The DSR in terms of the army and in the short term, was mainly concerned with saving money and that's probably driving this change rather than any long-term thought," he said.

"For the simple reason that every time you restructure the army you always end up having to spend more money in the long run restructuring it back to what it was."

Sources have told the ABC that final decisions and announcements will be confirmed publicly by Defence Minister Richard Marles "within weeks".

[madelaide]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-08/ ... /100680882

'Army battalion in Adelaide being investigated for 'unacceptable behaviour'

The Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force (IGADF) is investigating "unacceptable behaviour" inside Army's 7th Battalion, but precise details of the allegations are being tightly held by the military.

Now the ABC can reveal the IGADF launched a fresh probe into the unit last month, just days after concerns were raised in a parliamentary committee.

Appearing before Senate Estimates in October, the Chief of Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, was questioned by South Australian senator Rex Patrick about the conduct of the 7th Battalion.

"I'm not aware of the precise, finite detail of what is being investigated and what is not," Lieutenant General Burr told the committee on October 27.

"Based on what I know, [the allegations] have been investigated and they were not substantiated," he added.

Lieutenant General Burr also told the committee that he believed there was "some friction between some of the local ex-service organisations dealing with the unit on some of these matters".

In a brief follow-up response provided to Senator Patrick this week, the ADF confirmed that "Army has completed its inquiry into this matter", but that another formal investigation had begun.

"On the 2nd of November, 2021, the Inspector-General of the Australian Defence Force commenced an inquiry into allegations of unacceptable behaviour at 7RAR."

"The IGADF inquiry into this matter is ongoing and it is not appropriate to provide further comment," the Defence statement concludes.

Senator Patrick is vowing to pursue the matter, particularly why the IGADF began an inquiry just five days after parliament was told Army had already investigated the matter.

Just over a year ago, the findings of the IGADF's historic inquiry into allegations of war crimes committed by Australian forces in Afghanistan were released.

Since that time, the Defence Department has been criticised by several veterans and commentators for its handling of the Afghanistan war crime allegations.

[SBD]

When 7RAR moved to Edinburgh, a lot of the nearby housing estates had a lot of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) houses built. If 7RAR moves back to Darwin, presumably those houses will end up on the rental or sales market. Presumably that will be positive for renters and buyers and negative for landlords and sellers generally, and no doubt the Federal government will claim to have "solved" the problem in Adelaide's northern suburbs in the lead-up to the next (2025?) election.

[SRW]

When 7RAR moved to Edinburgh, a lot of the nearby housing estates had a lot of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) houses built. If 7RAR moves back to Darwin, presumably those houses will end up on the rental or sales market. Presumably that will be positive for renters and buyers and negative for landlords and sellers generally, and no doubt the Federal government will claim to have "solved" the problem in Adelaide's northern suburbs in the lead-up to the next (2025?) election.

A counterpoint would be that removing 1,000 servicepersons plus family from Adelaide would be quite a hit to a city whose population is still relatively slow growing.

[[Shuz]]

Adelaide grew by 20,000+ people in the last year - our fastest growth in a couple of decades. Hardly slow growing. The trend is only going upwards particularly with the 2 million plus migrants to come in the next 5 years. I wouldn't be too concerned about 1000 people leaving.

[Prodical]

6 months has gone by and nothing happening at the proposed AUKUS submarine site. The AUKUS submarine facility is supposed to be urgent and a high priority. I would have hoped there would at least be some levelling of the ground and fencing as the early preparation works.

Other than a small building being constructed near the Frigate assembly building (and the Frigate car park that has been completed) there is not a lot going on. Disappointing.

[rev]

6 months has gone by and nothing happening at the proposed AUKUS submarine site. The AUKUS submarine facility is supposed to be urgent and a high priority. I would have hoped there would at least be some levelling of the ground and fencing as the early preparation works.

Other than a small building being constructed near the Frigate assembly building (and the Frigate car park that has been completed) there is not a lot going on. Disappointing.

Wasn't that huge new 'shed' they built that dwarfs everything around it and can be seen from the expressway built for the submarines?

[rev]

SA and federal governments reach land-swap deal for AUKUS submarines, new housing
Posted 4h ago4 hours ago, updated 3h ago

The South Australian government is planning to turn the Keswick Barracks into housing, after signing a land-swap agreement with the federal government.

The South Australian and federal governments signed the deal to make way for the construction of AUKUS nuclear submarines.

The agreement hands federal defence department-owned land at Keswick, Smithfield and Cultana to the state government.

In exchange, the federal government will acquire 60 hectares of land at Osborne for a new submarine construction yard and a training academy.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said the land swaps will happen in two stages within the next five months.

"This is a critical foundational step in allowing us to move down the pathway of building nuclear-powered submarines here in South Australia," he said.

SA's Premier, Peter Malinauskas, said the government plans to build housing at the 13-hectare Keswick Barracks site and the 38-hectare Smithfield site, while the parcel of land at Cultana, in Adelaide's north, will be used to develop a new hydrogen plant.

Mr Malinauskas said the Keswick and Smithfield sites would be master planned, with a portion of both — 15 per cent and 40 per cent respectively — to be reserved for affordable housing.

Mr Malinauskas said both the Keswick and Smithfield sites will be leased back to the Commonwealth for a period of time to allow them to "transition what they have off those two facilities".

"The timing of that actually suits our purposes, principally because we have to do the rezoning of the land, we have to do a masterplan of the land, and all that takes time," he said.

Mr Malinauskas said the land swap was one of the biggest "in our history".

"I can't tell you how difficult these negotiations have been, but it is only through the absolute commitment towards cooperation that we've been able to realise those ambitions," he said.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-10/ ... /103089870