Australian Department of Defense, The 2007-08 Budget provides an additional $1.3 billion over five financial years to support ADF operations both overseas and in Australia.
The additional funding will ensure that ADF servicemen and servicewomen will be well equipped, well trained and well protected when they are on operational deployments.
An additional $703 million is provided over four financial years, including $32 million for costs incurred in 2006-07, to expand Australia 's commitment to operations in Afghanistan. In addition to the Reconstruction Task Force (RTF) which is working with Dutch forces on reconstruction efforts in Oruzgan Province, a Special Operations Task Group of about 300 personnel is to deploy to the same province for at least two years.
The Task Group will enhance provincial security by disrupting Taliban extremists' command and control and supply routes. The Task Group will be supported by additional logistics and intelligence capabilities, and the redeployment of two Chinook helicopters to Afghanistan in 2008.
An RAAF mobile control and reporting unit will also deploy to Kandahar airfield and an additional C-130J aircraft will deploy to the Middle East. The RTF Force Protection Company Group will be extended to provide close protection to the RTF until August 2008.
The total ADF deployment to Afghanistan will peak at approximately 1,000 ADF personnel by mid-2008, underlining Australia 's continuing commitment to support the Afghan Government as it strives to deliver a stable future for its people.
An additional $389 million has been allocated to Defence to maintain a deployment of about 1,500 ADF personnel in the Middle East Area of Operations, including Army trainers.
Australia 's deployment in Iraq is contributing to Multinational Force efforts to develop a secure and stable environment in Iraq and assist national recovery programs.
An additional $135 million has been allocated over two financial years to maintain present ADF force level commitment to East Timor in order to assist in the restoration of stability and security in that nation.
The whole-of-Government programme to detect, intercept and deter vessels transporting unauthorised arrivals from entering Australia through the North-West maritime approaches, has been a hallmark of the Howard Government's security policy. The Government has allocated an additional $52 million to Defence over four financial years as part of Operation Resolute in order for the three Services to be able to support Customs and Coastwatch on this important national task.
These deployments are under regular review.
All up, including funds approved in prior budgets, the Government has allocated $1.5 billion for operations over the forward estimates period, including $1.1 billion in 2007-08.
The Government is fully committed to working with friends and allies in the international community to prevent terrorism, and to bring about stability and security to the peoples of Iraq , Afghanistan , East Timor and the Solomons.
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