Pleased with the quality of the new kit (if not always the quantity) coming into the ADF.
Now seems to be a good time to establish long term partnerships with defence industries in other countries.
A long term commitment could allow more Aust input into future equipment. While still maintaining local manufacture.
We have AUKUS for subs.
Join with Japan for future surface warships. Eg AWD , Drone Carrier and the future replacement for the GPFs.
Join with South Korea for future AFVs and Artillery.
Join the consortium for Tempest.
These will assist in building stronger ties and interoperability with close regional allies.
These countries may come to view Aust manufactures and repair facilities as part of their own supply chain.
None of these will produce short term results but should really pay off in the future.
Now seems to be a good time to establish long term partnerships with defence industries in other countries.
A long term commitment could allow more Aust input into future equipment. While still maintaining local manufacture.
We have AUKUS for subs.
Join with Japan for future surface warships. Eg AWD , Drone Carrier and the future replacement for the GPFs.
Join with South Korea for future AFVs and Artillery.
Join the consortium for Tempest.
These will assist in building stronger ties and interoperability with close regional allies.
These countries may come to view Aust manufactures and repair facilities as part of their own supply chain.
None of these will produce short term results but should really pay off in the future.
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MARKMILES77
Well-Known Member
An interview with a former U.S. military officer, who later became an Intelligence Officer and is now an Australian Citizen.
Provides some good insights into the current relationship between Australia and the U.S.
Interestingly, he thinks AUKUS is not in Australia's interest and the planned 3 Virginia Class subs are unlikely to ever be provided to Australia.
Provides some good insights into the current relationship between Australia and the U.S.
Interestingly, he thinks AUKUS is not in Australia's interest and the planned 3 Virginia Class subs are unlikely to ever be provided to Australia.
Looked John Powers up. Held some very high roles in the Intel community. Has a pretty good idea of the lay of the land. Interesting about the pressure on the 3.5% defence spend. Given the ship and sub building project pipeline and our history of blow outs …I can’t see how we will be under 3.5% in 5-6 years time.
A senior US Senator has told Insiders host David Speers Australia’s level of defence spending is much closer to 3% of GDP, if shipyards and other defence infrastructure is included.
Coons is visiting Australia as part of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
He backs calls for Australia to spend more on defence, but says some elements haven’t been taken into account.
Coons is visiting Australia as part of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
He backs calls for Australia to spend more on defence, but says some elements haven’t been taken into account.
OldTex
Well-Known Member
It is being reported by various media sources that the Department of Defence has resurrected the former JP9102. Joint Project 9102 was launched in 2017 to deliver sovereign SATCOM using one or two satellites in geostationary orbit. In April 2023 Lockheed Martin was chosen as preferred tenderer only to have Defence announce it was pulling the plug in November 2024, ceasing the current procurement activity with Lockheed Martin Australia.
In the reporting by Australian Defence Magazine it stated that "In RFI documents, Defence said the sole purpose of this Request for Information was to obtain information in connection with SPA9102 Narrowband satellite communications. It was not a procurement and did not form part of any Commonwealth procurement process." Based on the stated focus being narrowband SATCOM it would indicate just a replacement for the IS-22 satellite provided TACSAT capability is being investigated.
Whether the SkyMuster satellites operated by NBN could be utilised as a temporary broadband SATCOM capability to augment the WGS and Optus-C1D capacity might also need to be investigated as part of any future expansion of SPA9102. The move to LEO and/or MEO constellations would have impacts on the ground segment (terminals and anchor sites) and the control segment as well.
In the reporting by Australian Defence Magazine it stated that "In RFI documents, Defence said the sole purpose of this Request for Information was to obtain information in connection with SPA9102 Narrowband satellite communications. It was not a procurement and did not form part of any Commonwealth procurement process." Based on the stated focus being narrowband SATCOM it would indicate just a replacement for the IS-22 satellite provided TACSAT capability is being investigated.
Whether the SkyMuster satellites operated by NBN could be utilised as a temporary broadband SATCOM capability to augment the WGS and Optus-C1D capacity might also need to be investigated as part of any future expansion of SPA9102. The move to LEO and/or MEO constellations would have impacts on the ground segment (terminals and anchor sites) and the control segment as well.