A fair question
Should Army add to vehicle numbers
Would the preference be Boxer or Redback?
Cheers S
Should Army add to vehicle numbers
Would the preference be Boxer or Redback?
Cheers S
can a Boxer cover all missions?
can a Redback cover all missions?
I’m guessing the Redback will be more capable especially in mobility, after all its disappointing to cater for something only to find it can’t go where you want it.
hopefully numbers of each will evolve according to their planned mission sets.
As an ex anti armour Pl member, I know I would rather be up against a boxer.....its a huge target!
W
Would mobility benefits include ferry into theatre?
well I can only presume that if you’re going to commit to deployment, then you have to start by taking into account the ‘ferry into theatre’ issues.
once you are there tho, after all that effort, it’d be helpful if you weren’t unnecessarily task, employment or terrain limited.
Redback IFV is massive as well…I know there is some perspective in play in the below photo, but I had a good look at the Redback and Boxer at Land Warfare Conference 2022 - neither had their intended top-mounted RWS, but they are still both huge and there wasn’t much between them to my eye… Redback was observably bigger than Lynx too, for the record…
If lessons from Ukraine are to go by then would be Redback. Both arent too dissimilar in weight when fully loaded but difference between tracked and wheeled for similar weights tracks generally have a lower ground pressure. Only need to look at all the heavy MRAP's or even Strykers in Ukraine that have gotten bogged in the mud (Not to say doesnt happen to tracked vehicles, But wheeled seem's to get stuck a lot more easily).
Todjaeger
Potstirrer
I suspect it would depend on the mine and where it ended up going off. If the mine was large enough, even an M1 Abrams might not be viably repairable.
I guess in part the answer to the question is knowing what the shape of next the conflict is and what we need to deploy.
Both Boxer and Redback I'm sure are excellent vehicles, they just have different attributes.
The future shape and structure of Army will be interesting in regards to vehicle types and quantities required.
While a fair bit of mystery surrounds this space, the good news is we are currently producing both the Boxer and the Redback so certainly some growth potential there if the need and finances become available.
Fingers crossed S
It looks to me that army is being transformed in two ways.
Long range strike with HIMARS, and smal groups deployable by sea.
It does not seem to be traditional type structure, where large units are deployed, ( like an infantry bn group) it looks more like infantry company groups to protect long range fires, like HIMARs and Naval strike type weapons. I am having trouble getting my head around the structure of a 30,000 plus Army with 5 infantry battalions....
Long range strike with HIMARS, and smal groups deployable by sea.
It does not seem to be traditional type structure, where large units are deployed, ( like an infantry bn group) it looks more like infantry company groups to protect long range fires, like HIMARs and Naval strike type weapons. I am having trouble getting my head around the structure of a 30,000 plus Army with 5 infantry battalions....
This ASPI article provides the author’s take on multi domain combat units that include a force protection component.
Multi-domain combat units and preparing Australia for an era of ‘archipelagic denial’ | The Strategist
Australia’s 2023 Defence Strategic Review (DSR) prescribed the ADF a ‘strategy of denial’ using an Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) force structure to deny adversaries the ‘freedom of action to militarily coerce Australia and to operate against Australia ...
www.aspistrategist.org.au
Sounds more like a shopping list to me, than “strategic policy”…This ASPI article provides the author’s take on multi domain combat units that include a force protection component.
Multi-domain combat units and preparing Australia for an era of ‘archipelagic denial’ | The Strategist
Australia’s 2023 Defence Strategic Review (DSR) prescribed the ADF a ‘strategy of denial’ using an Anti-Access/Area-Denial (A2/AD) force structure to deny adversaries the ‘freedom of action to militarily coerce Australia and to operate against Australia ...
The author seems not to be aware either, that Army isn’t getting medium ranged air defences…
MARKMILES77
Active Member
The Apaches Australia purchased from the UK have arrived in the US to be converted into trainers.
www.australiandefence.com.au
Army buys former UK Apaches - Australian Defence Magazine
The Army has acquired two former British Army WAH-64 Apache AH.1 helicopters for use as training aids in support of its new AH-64E attack helicopters when they are delivered from 2025.
www.australiandefence.com.au
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
Ground training airframes only, will not be in flyable condition.The Apaches Australia purchased from the UK have arrived in the US to be converted into trainers.
Army buys former UK Apaches - Australian Defence Magazine
The Army has acquired two former British Army WAH-64 Apache AH.1 helicopters for use as training aids in support of its new AH-64E attack helicopters when they are delivered from 2025.
I thought we were getting 27, but the article says 29....wonder if it includes the 2 ex English frames.
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
Australia to acquire 29 new AH-64E Apache helicopters (army-technology.com)
It was always 29 new AH-64E fitted to US Army standard.
knightrider4
Active Member
Hold that thought there is some MSM banter that the project numbers could be cut or the project cancelled completely. Budget cuts to the Defence budget are on the cards according to our brave sleepy eyed minister.
Indeed, Marcus Hellyer was on the ABC this afternoon (when I saw it) saying that Apache's should be the first thing to go, in the light of Marles' comments regarding defence programs (ie cutting them).
Can't find the link, but MH seems to have a history of articles saying the same. I don't know if he's respected or not, but definitely making noise.
Regards
Redlands18
Well-Known Member
The order has already gone to Boeing as part of an overall Pentagon order for 180+ aircraft, the penalties for cancellation this late would be pretty severe, a lot of items would already be ordered and being produced. I think we have already been told the cuts, reduction of the Redbacks to 129, AS9/10 to 45, Arafura's to 6, these three programs would have had major funding this FY, cutting them will save a fair bit.