The Hon. Dr Brendan Nelson,
Minister for Defence
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09 May 2006
Tuesday, 9 May 2006 |
058/2006 |
THREE PER CENT ANNUAL GROWTH IN DEFENCE CAPABILITY PLAN BEYOND 2010-11
As part of increasing Defence spending by three per cent per annum until 2015-16, the Government has provided extra funding to support key equipment projects.
An additional $2.4 billion will be provided to the Defence Capability Plan over the period 2011-12 to 2015-16.
The Budget also features a “bring forward” of $625.1 million in funding over four years for equipment projects reflecting improved project management by the Defence Materiel Organisation.
As part of this Budget, the Government reviewed and revised the Defence Capability Plan to support the capability goals as set out in the 2000 Defence White Paper and subsequent Defence updates.
Key features of the 2006-16 Defence Capability Plan are:
• Continuing progress on important projects such as the Air Warfare Destroyers, new amphibious ships, new air combat capability and replacement land vehicles.
• Modifying our helicopter plans to reduce the number of aircraft types and to create a common joint training and management system. Over $5 billion of project funding has been set aside to achieve this aim, including the early replacement of the Sea King helicopter.
• Adding new projects at a cost of over $500 million, to ensure the effectiveness of the naval surface capability with new projects to enhance the ANZAC class air search radar system and to develop undersea warfare detection capabilities, and sea mine counter-measures.
• A 40 per cent boost in funding for Army networking projects as part of the Hardened and Networked Army initiative. The networking enhancements are to be introduced across the majority of Army units. In addition, Army's Ground Based Air Defence capability will be enhanced.
• Continuing the projects to support Australia 's air combat capability including a mid-life upgrade of the Hawk lead-in fighter, and future upgrades for the Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control aircraft. Building on the Government's recent decision to acquire a heavy airlift capability, the plan retains around $1 billion to refurbish or replace the C-130H Hercules and Caribou aircraft fleets.
• Greater priority to ensuring that the Australian Defence Force use of satellite capability can continue into the future with more than $1 billion to be invested in our satellite infrastructure.
• Continued improvements to Defence's core enterprise systems including the logistics management system.
This 2006-16 Defence Capability Plan will strengthen Defence's capacity to promote our national interests, and provide the military capabilities for the next generation of our sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen to do their job with pride, courage and professionalism.
The public version of the 2006-16 Defence Capability Plan will be released later this year. As in previous versions, it will keep Australian industry abreast of the Government's major acquisition plans.
Media contacts
Nigel Blunden |
(Dr Nelson) |
02 6277 7800 |
0407 632 931 |
Defence Media Liaison |
|
02 6265 3343 |
0408 498 664 |
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