2020

FORCE
STRUCTURE
PLAN

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© Commonwealth of Australia 2020

ISBN: 978-0-9941680-6-1
This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the
Copyright Act 1968 (Cwth), no part may be reproduced by any process
without prior written permission from the Department of Defence.

3` Contents
Chapter One: 2020 Force Structure Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  9
Chapter Two: A New Way Of Managing Capability And Preparedness. . . . . . .  17
Chapter Three: Information And Cyber Domain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
Joint cyber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Joint command, control, communications and computers (C4) . . . . . . . . 28
Joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Joint electronic warfare. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Strategic intelligence and cyber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Enhanced cyber security defences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Chapter Four: Maritime Domain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
Maritime surface and above water combat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Undersea warfare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Maritime mine warfare, patrol and geospatial. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Maritime combat support and amphibious . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Maritime command and control, communications,computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance,
reconnaissance and electronic warfare (C5ISREW). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Chapter Five: Air Domain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  49
Air combat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Air intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare. . . . 52
Air mobility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Combat air support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Integrated air and missile defence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Maritime patrol and response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

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Chapter Six: Space Domain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
Space services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Space control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Chapter Seven: Land Domain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  67
Land combat vehicles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Land combat support. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Land combat mobility. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Battlefield aviation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Dismounted systems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Special operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Land intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissanceand electronic warfare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Land command, control, communications
and computers (C4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Chapter Eight: Defence Enterprise Programs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  81
Geospatial information and intelligence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Guided weapons and explosive ordnance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Defence training and simulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
Recapitalisation of Reserves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Defence business enterprise architecture
and transformation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Joint logistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Chapter Nine: Australia’s Defence Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  89
Maximising industry opportunities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Driving innovation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Defence’s current innovation system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
The future Defence innovation system. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

5Chapter Ten: Defence Workforce. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  103People are key to Defence capability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Defence is transforming its workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
A skilled and professional workforce to meet changing requirements. . . 104
The Australian Defence Force . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Australian Public Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Enabling functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Delivering the future workforce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Chapter 11: Defence Information And Communications Technology. . . . . . .  111Defence ICT transformation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Chapter 12: Defence Estate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  117Defence estate investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

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` Chapter One: 2020 Force
Structure Plan
1.1

This 2020 Force Structure Plan details the Government’s intentions for
new and adjusted Australian Defence Force (ADF) capability investments
to implement the new strategic objectives in the 2020 Defence Strategic
Update. It links Defence’s capability plans with Defence’s reform program,
the More Together: Defence Science and Technology Strategy 2030 for
innovation, and resourcing plans. This Plan also builds on existing defence
industry initiatives, such as the 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statement
and the Defence Export Strategy, to maximise Australian industry
involvement in Defence projects.

1.2

The 2020 Defence Strategic Update sets out the Government’s new
strategic policy framework for Defence, providing clearly identified
geographic, operational, and capability priorities. It sets out three new
Government-directed strategic objectives for Defence: to shape Australia’s
strategic environment; deter actions against Australia’s interests; andrespond with credible military force, when required. This framework is
intended to provide a focus for planning, and alignment with broader
Government initiatives.

1.3

To meet these goals the ADF needs to adjust, adapt and respond on acontinual basis. As a result of the major force structure changes initiatedby Government in the 2016 Defence White Paper, the ADF is a morecapable, agile and potent force. Delivery of the majority of these plans willcontinue under the 2020 Force Structure Plan.

1.4

In line with the 2015 First Principles Review, Defence undertakes
regular reviews of its planning to ensure alignment of strategy, capability
and resources in ways that are responsive to the evolving strategic
environment.

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1.5

The 2020 Force Structure Plan is the product of this regular review,which found that adjustments are now required to further improve thelethality of the ADF, provide the Government with more flexibility to deal
with grey-zone challenges, adapt to accelerating technological advances,and increase Defence’s ability to successfully project military power.
This review has been informed by assessments from Australia’s security
agencies and partners, as well as clear guidance from Government.
Experimentation and analysis, conducted in Australia and overseas,
tested both the current force and proposed new capabilities against a
broad range of classified scenarios over a 20 year period and managing
a number of concurrent tasks. The major decisions, key capability plans,and significant adjustments to the 2016 White Paper plan informed by thiswork are outlined in the 2020 Defence Strategic Update and this Plan.

1.6

The 2020 Force Structure Plan also expands on the 2016 Defence
White Paper investment to build a sovereign industrial base that isinternationally competitive, innovative and high-tech to meet Australia’s
defence capability needs and national economic goals. This investment
will deliver an ADF better suited to meet Australia’s most pressing defence
challenges, to deny or defeat threats as they arise and provide significant
opportunity for Australian industry. It will ensure the ADF is bettersupplied, more resilient and able to sustain a technology edge into a morechallenging future.

1.7

The range of capabilities that Defence will maintain, develop, enhance andacquire under the 2020 Force Structure Plan will provide the Government
with a flexible range of options to deliver the Government’s objectives toshape Australia’s strategic environment; deter actions against Australia’sinterests; and respond with credible military force. While all capabilities
can contribute military effects relevant to the Government’s objectives,
examples of the Force Structure Plan’s support for the Government’s
priorities include:

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

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1.8

•

Arafura and Guardian class patrol vessels, a new Pacific support
vessel, an expanded replacement for the C-130J fleet, and new
amphibious vessels will support an enhanced Defence posture andwhole-of-government efforts to build Australia’s partnerships andinfluence in the region, including the Pacific Step-up objectives.

•

Attack class submarines, advanced long-range strike weapons,
remotely piloted combat aircraft, sea-mining and offensive cybercapabilities able to hold adversary forces and infrastructure at risk
further from Australia.

•

Increased weapons inventories, expanded domestic munitions
capacity, additional fuel storage capacity and increased domestic
industry participation will provide a more durable supply chain andstrengthen sovereign industrial capabilities to enhance the ADF’s
self-reliance.

•

Enhanced special forces capabilities, strengthened operational
cyber, integrated intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, andincreased space tracking and sovereign satellite systems will better
enable the ADF to respond to grey-zone activities, including cyberand information operations.

•

Expanded deployable health care and combat engineering
capabilities, future multi-role sealift and replenishment vessels,
and further mobilisation measures will enhance ADF support to civil
authorities in response to national crises and natural disasters, suchas pandemics, bushfires or floods.

The Government will also continue to invest in the highly skilled Defence
workforce, which will be critical to the successful delivery and operation of
the capabilities set out in the 2020 Force Structure Plan.

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1.9

To deliver the 2020 Force Structure Plan, the Government intends toprovide Defence, including the Australian Signals Directorate, with total
funding over the decade to 2029-30 of $575 billion, including$270 billion in capability investment.

1.10 To ensure Defence remains responsive to the challenges of today and to
those in the future, adjustments have been made to several investments
planned in the 2016 Defence White Paper. These are necessary to deliver
other priorities that will ensure the future ADF can project military power
to shape our environment, deter actions against our interests and, whenrequired, respond with effective military force.

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Intentionally blank17` Chapter Two: A New Way
Of Managing Capability And
Preparedness
2.1

The 2016 Defence White Paper introduced a framework for Defence
capability based around streams and programs, to ensure a joint andintegrated approach to capability, rather than a focus on individual
projects.

2.2

Building upon the White Paper intent to move toward improved joint andintegrated program outcomes, the capability streams have been refined
into five operational domains: Information and Cyber, Maritime, Air,Space, and Land, supported by the critical enabling capabilities of the
Defence Enterprise. To effectively manage and deliver capability acrosseach domain, they are broken into 35 future capability programs withdedicated capability managers. This new architecture is detailed in
Diagram 1.

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

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Diagram 1 – Defence’s Capability Program Architecture

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S pa c e192.3

Effective delivery of Defence capabilities requires the holistic employmentof a range of assets (such as equipment) and resources (such as
personnel) to generate a greater impact than could otherwise be deliveredby individual projects. Defence will adjust and refine its investment
across capability acquisition, sustainment and personnel costs to ensure
a balanced capability outcome. Modern warfare is a joint activity andrequires the greatest possible degree of integration across all elements.

2.4

Viewing capability through this model is intended to ensure a morecomprehensive approach to modernisation and force planning. This will
be implemented through an improved capability development architecturethat strengthens the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of thosetasked with delivering capabilities in each domain. It will focus onachieving the greatest possible warfighting effects with a clear framework
for engaging with industry.

2.5

The Government is providing long-term funding certainty for Defence so it
can deliver the Force Structure Plan set out in this document. To provide
this certainty, the Government is continuing its policy of providing a
10-year funding model for Defence, first articulated in the 2016 Defence
White Paper. This will provide Defence, including the Australian Signals
Directorate, with total funding of $575 billion to 2029 30.

2.6

The total funding of $575 billion over the decade includes around$270 billion in capability investment, compared to $195 billion incapability investment for the decade to 2025-26 when the 2016 Defence
White Paper was released. The Defence budget has been decoupled from
GDP forecasts to avoid the need for adjusting Defence’s plans in response
to future fluctuations in GDP.

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2.7

While the investment profile outlined in the 2020 Force Structure Planfocuses on the first ten years of investment, it also includes forecasts forthe second decade for key capability investments. A simple breakdown ofinvestment by domain for the next decade is outlined in Chart 1.

Chart 1 – Proportional Capability Investment for the
Decade 2020-2030*
3%
24%

28%

6%
2%
11%

20%
6%

Air Domain
Other Enterprise andEnabler Programs
Enterprise Information
Communication Technology
Enterprise Infrastructureand Estate
Information and Cyber Domain
Land Domain
Maritime Domain
Space Domain* These percentages are rounded numbers and may not equate exactly to thedomain capability investment figures.

21
INVESTMENT FUNDING DEFINITIONS(1)
2020-2030 Capability Investment – All 2020-2030
planned investment figures provided for Capability Domains arein price basis 2019-20 Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook(MYEFO) Out-turned Price and Exchange unless otherwise stated.
These figures comprise acquisition and future sustainment fundingof Defence capabilities. Figures provided in this publication are
point-in-time estimates and will be regularly adjusted in line with
Commonwealth Budget processes.
(2)
Key Investment Chart Forecasts – All capability forecasts
included in the domain investment charts are in price basis
2019-20 MYEFO Out-turned Price and Exchange unless otherwise
stated. These figures incorporate forecasted Defence capability
investment out to FY2039-40, comprising acquisition (only)
estimates unless otherwise stated. Figures provided in thispublication are point-in-time estimates and will be regularly adjusted
in line with Commonwealth Budget processes.
(3)
Out-turned vs Constant Year dollars – The out-turned
values within the 2020 Force Structure Plan are projections ofexpenditure over time based on estimates of when expenditureis anticipated to occur into the future, adjusted for inflation andforeign exchange. These expenditure projections are calculatedusing economic parameters that are periodically updated by the
Departments of Finance and Treasury. While this Plan reflects
only out-turned dollars, Defence projects may sometimes also be
expressed in constant dollar terms. This is where the cost of a
project is described in ‘current day’ dollars as opposed to its cost
into the future. For projects of shorter duration and low exposure to

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

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foreign currencies the difference between out-turned and constantdollars is generally small. For projects that run for many years, oreven decades, and that have higher exposure to foreign currencies,
the differences between out-turned and constant dollars can besubstantial for the same project value. For example, the Attack classsubmarine acquisition cost is currently $89.7 billion in 2019-20
MYEFO out turned dollars, which adjusts for inflation and projected
foreign exchange variations; when isolated from these factors, thecost remains $50 billion in 2016 constant dollars. The out-turning of
project estimates enables the purchasing power of a project budget
to remain current in the year expenditure and capability delivery isplanned to occur.

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Intentionally blank

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` Chapter Three: Information
And Cyber Domain
3.1

Defence is becoming more reliant on fast, reliable and secure internetbased communications. But the threat to this connectivity from malicious
actors is also growing. There has been a marked increase in cyber-attacks
against Australia by foreign actors and criminals.

3.2

Secure and resilient information systems are essential to Defence’s
ability to conduct operations. The Government’s plans for investments in
Defence’s information warfare capabilities in the Information and Cyberdomain are critical to ensure information can be securely and reliably
shared across Defence, with other Government agencies, and withinternational partners. Future planned investments will protect Defence
in cyberspace and enable operations against adversary systems. These
plans include investments in offensive cyber and operational cyberspacecapabilities for deployed forces.

3.3

In addition to cyber capabilities, the Government plans to make additional
investments in enhanced information and electronic warfare systems,
and in improved joint command, control and communications systems
to strengthen Defence’s warfighting capability. Proposed investments
would improve network security and resilience, and the capacity to share
information with international partners. Furthermore, Defence intelligencecapability will be bolstered with funding to integrate intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance programs and data, and continued
investment in signals intelligence capabilities. Funding will be set aside
to ensure Defence remains competitive in the future as emerging
technologies, such as artificial intelligence, arise in this domain.

3.4

The total program of investment in strengthened Information andCyber domain capabilities is expected to comprise approximately$15 billion over the next decade.

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Joint cyber
3.5

In an environment where threats to connectivity are becoming moreprevalent, the ability of the ADF to operate in a contested, congested
and degraded communications environment forms the foundation of
joint cyber effects. Investment in joint cyber provides strategic response
options for Government in the increasingly important information-enabledenvironment, complementing the capability of the Australian Signals
Directorate. This requires cyber capabilities able to exploit and attack
adversary information networks, while protecting our own networks,
mission systems and platforms across the tactical to strategic spectrum.
This program provides the systems to enable Defence to conduct
defensive and offensive cyber operations against a range of adversaries
for military purposes, and to effectively counter cyber attacks on Australia,
on Defence, and on deployed forces.

Joint command, control, communications
and computers (C4)
3.6

Synchronised control of forces across the spectrum of operational andstrategic effects is vital to realise the full value of existing and newcapabilities. C4 capabilities enable decision-making superiority, enhancesituational awareness and synchronise the employment of military power.
Secure connectivity of this kind will be a force multiplier for Australia, andan important element of Defence’s capability edge. It will allow the sharingof secure information among Defence units, with other Government
agencies, and – importantly – with our coalition partners.

3.7

The Government’s plan for the ADF’s joint C4 capabilities include
upgrades to the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters and the 1st Signals
Regiment, to make Headquarters’ communications capability more
deployable and survivable. This will complement ongoing investment in29tactical datalinks, cryptographic equipment, multinational information
sharing systems, command and control software applications, and highfrequency radios.

Joint intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance
3.8

To ensure the ADF has superior situational awareness and the datanecessary to support the use of precision weapons, an integrated
joint intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability is vital.
Government is already investing in the integration of intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance data, and the ADF Navigation
Warfare Capability.

3.9

The Government will expand on this investment with additional fundingfor joint processing, exploitation and dissemination capabilities,
and infrastructure. This includes enhanced architecture to allow thecoordination and integration of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance,and electronic warfare capabilities across the Joint Force.

3.10 As part of an integrated approach to capability, additional investments intraining, joint skilling and security are planned, including:•Upgrades of joint intelligence training facilities to meet the needsof a larger intelligence workforce working within an increasingly
challenging intelligence environment;•

The modernisation of ADF influence activities with an advanced
internet operations capability to support Defence’s capacity to shape
Australia’s operating environment; and•Establishment of a dedicated and leading-edge
counter-intelligence capability to account for a growing
range of threats to intelligence security.

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Joint electronic warfare
3.11 In addition to having secure communications of its own, it is equallyimportant that Defence can degrade the electronic systems ofadversaries. The Government is already investing in joint electronic
warfare battle management and analysis, which will be further enhanced
through investment in capability to enable operations and activities inthe electromagnetic spectrum. This will include the delivery of tools,
techniques and systems that can be incorporated into existing and related
joint and Service projects.

Strategic intelligence and cyber
3.12 The Government has previously committed to significant ongoinginvestment in signals intelligence systems and cyber operations to
respond to the growing role these play in meeting requirements fornational intelligence. With the significant expansion and use of platform
sensors and systems by military forces, the ability to utilise thisinformation environment will strengthen Defence’s warfighting capability.
This includes capabilities that will improve Australia’s capacity to collect,
exploit, and analyse foreign electronic signals. The Government plans
further investment in expanding and upgrading systems for delivering top
secret information and communications within Defence and across thebroader national security community.

Enhanced cyber security defences
3.13 The Government’s strategy includes continuing to strengthen theintelligence and cyber capabilities of the Australian Signals Directorate,
which are critical for identifying and responding to foreign threatstargeting Australian interests. The Government has committed to enhance
the Australian Signals Directorate’s capability to protect government

31
agencies, critical infrastructure, businesses and the Australian communityfrom the growing scale and severity of malicious cyber activity.
3.14 The Government
has- Cyberalso committed
to expand the Australian Signals
Chart 2
DomainDirectorate’s counter-cybercrime capability to disrupt malicious actors
offshore that are targeting Australians, and build new strategic mitigation
options to block malicious cyber activity before it can impact networks inAustralia. Enhanced support will also be provided to critical infrastructure
providers across Australia, strengthening their cyber defences andbuilding resilience in essential services.

Chart 2 - Key Information and Cyber Domain Investments
Information warfare enhancement ($100-$150m)
Signals intelligence and cyber capabilities ($3.9 - $6b)
Emerging technologies ($1.7 - $2.5b)
Multi-National Information Sharing ($2.6 - $3.8b)
Network security upgrades ($0.7 - $1b)
Network resilience improvements ($3.3 - $5b)

2020

2025

2030

2035

2040

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4

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` Chapter Four: Maritime Domain
4.1

The Maritime domain is of particular significance to Australia, an island
nation surrounded by one of the world’s largest exclusive economic zones,
rich in resources, through which the vast majority of our international
trade transits. Countries across the Indo-Pacific region are expanding andmodernising their maritime forces. Within our region, a range of advanced
technologies are being fielded, including stealthy, long-range, high-speed
weapons; modern warships; growing numbers of advanced submarines;
and advanced strike capabilities. These have the potential to challenge ourability to protect our maritime resources, borders and trade, and our ability
to project power.

4.2

The 2016 Defence White Paper laid the framework for the largest
expansion of the Royal Australian Navy since the Second World War. The
2020 Force Structure Plan sets out a total planned capability investmentof approximately $75 billion over the next decade in enhancing Australia’s
maritime capabilities.

4.3

This expanded maritime force will provide greater capability for anti
submarine warfare, sealift, border security operations, maritime patrol
and reconnaissance, air warfare, area denial, sea control and undersea
warfare. It will also provide more opportunities for Australian industry, tobe reflected in an update to the Naval Shipbuilding Plan in late 2020.

Maritime surface and above water combat
4.4

Under the 2016 Defence White Paper, Government made extensive
investments in Australia’s surface warfare capability to safeguard
Australia’s maritime approaches and sea lines of communication. As aresult, Defence has made significant progress toward building a morerobust capability for maritime air and missile defence, maritime strike,anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

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4.5

4.6

The Government will continue with its investments in:•

Acquisition and sustainment of nine Hunter class frigates
optimised for anti-submarine warfare, for an increasinglycompetitive undersea environment;•

Sustainment and upgrades to the three Hobart class destroyers
to maintain these as leading-edge air warfare platforms to protect
deployed naval forces;•

Sustainment and upgrades to the eight ANZAC class frigates tomaintain the Navy’s strategic edge in surface combatant capability.

•

Acquisition of maritime strike and advanced surface-to-air weapon
systems to give the ADF more options to project force and protect
itself in an environment where more countries have increasingly
advanced systems;•

Acquisition and through-life upgrades of the MH-60R
anti-submarine helicopter;•

Expanded acquisition of maritime tactical remotely piloted aerial
systems to enhance situational awareness across Australia’s vast
maritime operating environment; and•Provision of a torpedo self-defence suite to the surface fleet tocounter advances in torpedo systems in our region.

To project and maintain sea control the Government has put in placeinvestment plans to:•

Acquire a range of advanced maritime guided weapons, including
long-range anti-ship and land strike weapons, and extended range
surface-to-air missiles, to give Defence more options to deter
aggression against Australia’s interests;

37•

Acquire advanced anti-submarine torpedos for air and surface
assets, to build collaborative anti-submarine capability among
Australia’s partners;•

Participate in the development of directed energy weapons forthe close range defence of naval vessels against advanced andemerging weapon systems;•

Expand and rationalise the support and logistics helicopter fleet
consistent with the expectations for larger naval operations;•

Upgrade maritime tactical remotely piloted aerial systems to ensure
they are equipped with the latest intelligence, surveillance andreconnaissance capabilities to support the fleet;•

Upgrade the Hunter class frigates throughout their service life toensure tactical superiority and commonality across the fleet; and•Build a replacement for the Hobart class destroyer following thecompletion of the Hunter class frigate build, to sustain the Navy’s
air warfare capability while also supporting the Government’s
continuous Australian shipbuilding model.

Undersea warfare
4.7

Under the 2016 Defence White Paper, Government set out extensive plansfor investments in Australia’s undersea warfare capability to safeguard
Australia’s maritime approaches and sea lines of communication. The
Government remains committed to the delivery of a regionally superior
submarine capability. This submarine will be fully interoperable with theUnited States to enhance Australia’s own deterrent, and contribute toregional anti-submarine warfare. Further priorities for investment in theundersea domain include persistent undersea surveillance; undersea
combat; command, control, communications; support; sustainment; andtraining sub-systems.

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38

39
4.8

4.9

In addition to the acquisition and sustainment of 12 Australian-built Attack
class submarines, the Government intends to continue with:•

Sustainment, capability enhancements, and life of type extensions
to the Collins class submarines, which are halfway through theirlife, to maintain a capability advantage until the transition to the
Attack class;•Continued upgrades to the submarine combat system andheavyweight torpedo; and•Facility and infrastructure upgrades to support the expanding
submarine fleet.

To further safeguard Australia’s undersea capability, the Government
will also invest in an integrated undersea surveillance system (including
exploration of optionally crewed and/or un-crewed surface systems andun-crewed undersea systems), an undersea signature management
range, and expanded undersea warfare facilities and infrastructure.

Maritime mine warfare, patrol and geospatial
4.10 Protecting Australia’s large exclusive economic zone requires
understanding of the maritime environment under our control, sustained
presence, and adapting to new technological developments that could
increasingly complicate our ability to keep Australian interests safe in the
Maritime domain.
4.11 Government will continue with its investment in:•

The acquisition and sustainment of 12 Arafura class offshore
patrol vessels, to enhance Australia’s capacity to patrol its maritime
territory and near region;

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

40•

Support for the HydroScheme Industry Partnership Program to boost
Australia’s commercial hydrographic industry;•

A replacement for the sail training ship Young Endeavour, tocontinue the Government’s commitment to national youth
development; and•The procurement of six evolved Cape class patrol boats to de-risk
the transition to the new Arafura class from the Navy’s ageing
Armidale class patrol boats. This provides better value for money
than a planned life extension, lowers operational and transition risk,
and supports Australian shipbuilding industry.

4.12 To support further advanced operations throughout the ADF’s strategic
operating environment, the Government will improve its capability
options through:•Mine warfare capabilities to secure Australia’s maritime approaches,
focused on modern, smart sea mine systems.

•

Enhancements to mine countermeasures and hydrographic
capabilities through the acquisition of up to eight additional vessels,
built in Australia – potentially based on the Arafura class Offshore
Patrol Vessel design.

•

Clearance diving and therapeutic hyperbaric systems to support
ship and clearance diving capabilities across the spectrum ofoperations.

41
Maritime combat support and amphibious
4.13 Amphibious operations, sea lift and maritime combat logistics are
essential for Australia to be able to project power, and to provide Defencewith the flexibility to support a broad range of responses to national crises
and regional humanitarian assistance requirements.
4.14 The acquisition of two new Supply class replenishment ships is
progressing alongside sustainment and capability enhancements tothe two Canberra class and HMAS Choules amphibious vessels, as
announced in the 2016 Defence White Paper.
4.15 To further expand the ADF’s ability to support an increased presence inthe region, Government’s plans include:•

Design, development and acquisition of two Australian-built
multi-role sealift and replenishment vessels to replace HMAS
Choules. This will greatly extend Navy’s ability to project and sustain
the joint force;•Life extension of Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Protector and theacquisition of a replacement vessel with an ice-rated hull capableof operating in the Southern Ocean, as well as the acquisitionof another vessel built in Australia to support the AustralianGovernment’s Pacific Step-up initiatives; and•The acquisition of a support and salvage vessel to enable therecovery and at-sea repair of large warships.

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42
Maritime command and control,
communications, computers, cyber, intelligence,
surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic
warfare (C5ISREW)
4.16 The ADF’s maritime strategy requires naval and maritime forces to behighly capable, adaptable and versatile to respond across a range ofcontingencies within Australia’s region.
4.17 To enable decision superiority in the Maritime domain, the Government isinvesting in systems that provide high-quality situational awareness andimproved identification of threats.
4.18 This investment will see the delivery of enhanced secure satellite
communications, advanced tactical networks, mission data support forsurface combatants, and new acoustic analysis capabilities.
4.19 These enhancements build on existing 2016 Defence White Paper
investments in maritime communications, the Nulka missile decoy andelectronic warfare systems for the surface fleet.

43
SHIPBUILDING PLAN UPDATE
Building on the 2016 Defence White Paper, in 2017 the Government
launched the Naval Shipbuilding Plan, setting out a long-term vision
for a strong, sustainable and innovative naval shipbuilding industry inAustralia. The three years since launching the Plan have seen solid
progress in the delivery of this vision and, in light of this progress
and the additional shipbuilding programs flagged in the 2020 Force
Structure Pan, the Government will update the Naval Shipbuilding
Plan at the end of the year.
The two largest programs in the 2017 Plan – the Attack classsubmarines and Hunter class frigates – are now both on contract
and well into the design phase. The Arafura class offshore patrol
vessel program is in production, with the first two vessels underconstruction in South Australia and the third under construction
in Western Australia. The fast-tracking of the Arafura and Hunter
programs have saved naval construction jobs in South Australia.
The Government has also prioritised developing a sustainable,
continuous shipbuilding industry to end the ‘boom and bust’ cycle ofnaval shipbuilding, delivering sovereign capability and certainty forindustry. In its decision to approve the Hunter class frigate program,the Government allocated additional funding to enable constructionof ships at a deliberate drumbeat over a longer period of time thanoriginally planned to achieve a continuous shipbuilding program.
In South Australia the Government has built a new world-class naval
shipyard at Osborne South to support the Hunter build program andwork on the new Attack submarine construction yard at Osborne
North is underway. The Government funded Naval Shipbuilding
College is working with industry and the education and training

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44
sector Australia-wide to ensure a pipeline of job-ready workers isavailable to feed the naval shipbuilding workforce as it grows overthe coming decade.
The 2020 Force Structure Plan includes plans for the acquisition
or upgrade of up to 23 different classes of Navy and Army vessels
representing a total investment of $168 billion to $183 billon. Whilemost of this investment is planned over the next two decades,
the scope of some projects including the Hunter and Attack classprograms will carry into the 2040s and beyond. The updated
Naval Shipbuilding Plan will provide further detail on the critical roleof Australian industry in delivering this enterprise.

.

45
Chart 3 –Chart
Key Maritime
DomainInvestments
3 - Maritime
DomainAttack Class ($89.7b1)**
Hunter Class ($45.6b2)**
Arafura Class ($4.7b)
Hunter Class Assurance ($4.9 - $7.4b)*

Guardian Class PacificPatrol Boat ($513m)

Future Destroyer Design($1.6 - $2.4b)

Cape Class Patrol Boats($350m)Improved Sea Lift Capability ($500 - $800m)
Hydroscheme Industry Partnership Program ($1.5 - $2.2b)*
Sea Lift and Replenishment Vessels ($4 - $6b)
Pacific SPT Vessel($180-$280m)

Replacement LHD Landing
Craft ($300 - $500m)
Ocean Protector
Replacement ($300 - $500m)

Young Endeavour
Replacement ($30 - $50m)

Future Mine Warfare and Hydrographic Vessels ($3.3 - $5b)
MH-60R Sea Hawk ($0.4 - $0.6b)
MH-60R Assurance ($1.5 - $2.3b)*
Logistics Helicopter($1 - $1.5b)
Maritime Uncrewed Aerial System ($0.9 - $1.3b)
Anzac Class Assurance ($1.4 - $2.0b)*
Hobart Class Upgrade ($2.9 - $4.4b)

Hobart Class Assurance ($1.1 - $1.7b)*

Maritime Guided Weapons ($16.1 - $24.2b)Land Based Maritime Strike Missiles($400 - $500m)
Collins Class Life of Type Extension ($3.5 - $6.0b)*
Integrated Undersea Surveillance System ($5 - $7.4b)

2020

2025

2030

2035

2040

Note:
* Denotes capabilities which include future sustainment** Denotes capability acquisition forecasts extending beyond FY2039/40
1. Additional information on Hunter and Attack class is in the FSP* Denotes capabilities which include future sustainment** Denotes capability acquisition forecasts extending beyond FY2039/40
1.
Additional information on Attack class costs can be found on page.22
2.
Additional information on Hunter class costs can be found on page.43

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

47

5

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

48

49
` Chapter Five: Air Domain
5.1

The Air domain is critical to situational awareness during peace time
operations and rapid response in times of disaster or conflict.
Throughout our region, countries are acquiring advanced aerial
capabilities, including networked fifth-generation combat aircraft andhigh-speed, long-range weapons.

5.2

The 2016 Defence White Paper outlined the requirement for apotent and technologically advanced strike and air combat capability,
supported by airborne early warning and control aircraft and sustainedby air-to-air refuelling. The 2016 Defence White Paper also set out
planned investments in sophisticated air intelligence, surveillance andreconnaissance systems and air lift.

5.3

The 2020 Force Structure Plan sets out the Government’s plans forfurther enhancements to some existing capabilities and investment in new
systems, including remotely piloted and autonomous aerial systems. This
will ensure Australia continues to have a potent, networked force able toundertake a wide range of activities across huge distances.

5.4

The Government also intends to build on previous commitments withplans for new sophisticated command, control, communications,computers and intelligence systems to fuse information from multiple
sources. This, coupled with an expanded Jindalee Operational Radar
Network, will enhance Australia’s situational awareness.

5.5

Government capability investment in the Air domain will total around$65 billion over the next decade. Improved weapon systems, with longer
range and greater survivability, will give Defence the capability to deter or
defeat attacks as far from Australia as possible. New and existing aircraft
will combine with remotely piloted and autonomous systems to provide
increased lethality and survivability. An expansion of the air mobility fleet

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

50
will improve Defence’s ability to support and project our forces acrossAustralia, the Indo-Pacific and further afield, when required.

Air combat
5.6

Air combat power is a critical capability, both in protecting Australia anddeployed forces from adversary threats, and giving Australia a credible
capability to hold at risk an adversary’s forces and infrastructure at
distance from Australia.

5.7

The Government is committed to the procurement and introductionof the F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft, support of the
F/A-18F Super Hornet strike aircraft and acquiring enhanced
air-launched munitions.

5.8

The Government’s commitment to the ADF’s air combat capability includes
the development of options to invest in:

51•

A fully integrated air combat management system to meet future air
combat and air control management needs, and assure the ADF’s
ability to deter or defeat threats to Australia’s interests amid rapid
modernisation of air combat capability in the Indo-Pacific;•

A development, test and evaluation program for high-speed
long-range strike and missile defence, including hypersonic
weapons, leading to prototypes to inform future investments;•

Acquisition of remotely piloted and/or autonomous combat aircraft,including teaming air vehicles, to complement existing aircraft andincrease the capacity of the air combat fleet;•

Procurement and integration of advanced longer-range strikeweapon systems onto combat aircraft to allow the Air Force tooperate at greater range and avoid increasingly sophisticated air
defences;•

The acquisition of advanced loitering munitions to give the ADF
more options for persistent presence and strike in an increasingly
complex environment;•

The installation and integration of improved self-protection systems
on a range of aircraft to enhance the survivability of aircrew andaircraft against modern weapons; and•Enhanced Joint Terminal Attack Controller training throughenhancements to the fleet of training aircraft that allow dedicatedair-to-ground attack controller training.

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Air intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissanceand electronic warfare
5.9

To ensure Australia retains an effective air intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance and electronic warfare capability, Government has
invested in support and upgrades to the EA-18G Growler electronic attack
aircraft, and to the Jindalee Operational Radar Network. Defence will also
bring into service the MQ-9B Sky Guardian remotely piloted aerial systemand the MC-55A Peregrine airborne electronic warfare aircraft.

5.10 Building on these capabilities, the Government is planning investments
to further strengthen our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissancecapabilities to support the ADF’s awareness of our region through:•Expansion of the Jindalee Operational Radar Network’s site inLongreach, Queensland, to provide wide area surveillance ofAustralia’s eastern approaches and enhance Australia’s strategic
situational awareness;•

Development and acquisition of additional crewed and remotely
piloted intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, toincrease both the numbers and sophistication of the ADF’s tacticaland strategic situational awareness;•

Replacement and expansion of the airborne electronic attack
capability upon the retirement of the EA-18G Growler to ensure
Australia retains an advanced electronic attack capability; and•Ground control systems to enable situational awareness in heavily
defended environments and/or where the electromagnetic system iscontested by adversaries.

53

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54
Air mobility
5.11 Air mobility is a core air power role, and its availability underpins mostDefence Force activities and Australia’s ability to project power. As a resultof previous significant Government investment, Australia has a robust
air mobility capability. Government will maintain this through continued
investment in support and upgrades to the C-130J Hercules medium
mobility aircraft, the C-17A Globemaster III heavy mobility aircraft, theexisting KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, and the C-27J
Spartan light mobility aircraft.
5.12 Government intends to further strengthen the ADF’s air mobility capability
to project and sustain the ADF’s presence in the strategic operating
environment, including through:•Procurement and integration of a Large Aircraft Countermeasures
System across the Air Mobility Group to enhance the survivability ofaircrew and aircraft against modern threats;•

An expanded replacement fleet for the C-130J Hercules aircraft toimprove the lift capacity of the ADF in response to growing demand
for these assets; and•An expanded replacement fleet for the KC-30A air-to-air refuelling
aircraft, including crewed and/or remotely piloted platforms, toenhance the capacity of the Air Force to operate at long range andsustain operations.

Combat air support
5.13 Ongoing investment will be required in a range of projects and activities
to enable air operations, including air base operations, air traffic
management and air crew training activities. This includes the continued
development of the Woomera Range facility; the upgrade of Defence air

55
traffic management systems; and upgrades to Air Force training systems
such as the PC-21 fleet, simulators and training aids.
5.14 The Government’s plans include the following investments to better
sustain operations and strengthen the resilience of Australia’s air power:•

Three deployable hangars to cater for Boeing 737-sized aircraft andeight fighter aircraft or troop-lift helicopter-sized airframes, to better
sustain operations when deployed away from bases;•

Training and deployable kits for repairing damaged aircraft, to better
sustain aircraft deployed on operations;•

Acquisition of equipment to decontaminate aircraft or an
airbase in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or
nuclear attack; and•Infrastructure enhancements to improve the capability, capacity, andsurvivability of Northern Australian air bases, to boost the resilienceof Australian air power.

Integrated air and missile defence
5.15 To protect the joint force, the Government will continue to invest in supportand upgrades for the E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control
aircraft, as well as the development and support of a joint air battle
management system to better coordinate and synchronise ADF operations.
In addition, plans for the E-7A replacement will now involve increasing
the fleet to provide greater coverage of the highly-complex future air andjoint-battlefield environment that will include a proliferation of autonomous
systems and long-range and high-speed weapons.

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56
5.16 The proliferation of ballistic and very high-speed missiles means our
deployed forces require enhanced deployable air and anti-missile defence
when on operations. In addition to investment in defensive systems,
the Government will continue to work closely with the United States on
countering ballistic missile threats.

Maritime patrol and response
5.17 To complement the investment being made in the maritime intelligencesurveillance and reconnaissance program, Defence will continue with theprocurement and introduction into service of the MQ-4C Triton remotely
piloted system, and support and upgrades to the P-8A Poseidon maritime
patrol aircraft. Compared to legacy systems, these provide a significant
enhancement in Defence’s ability to maintain situational awareness ofAustralia’s maritime approaches.
5.18 In addition, Government will keep under review the future balance
between the MQ-4C Triton, the P-8A Poseidon, and other capabilities inlight of emerging technological and strategic change.
5.19 To balance its investments in future initiatives, Defence will not proceedwith plans for:•

Two additional KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports, with increased
funding directed towards sustainment and spares to allow for
greater availability of current aircraft;•

Additional C-17 heavy-lift aircraft, as the C-17 is no longer
produced. Funding for the C130J replacement program has been
increased to provide for an expanded replacement fleet; and•A dedicated long-range search and rescue capability, with this role
to be managed by introducing search and rescue capability intoplanning for future air mobility platforms.

57
Chart 4 – Air Domain

Chart 4 – Key Air Domain Investments
F-35 Replacement
Evaluation and Design($300 – $400m)

F-35 Lightning II ($9.9 – $17b)
Additional Air Combat
Capability($4.5 - $6.7b)

EA-18G Growler Replacement ($7.6 - $11.4b)
Air Control Enhancements ($2.2 - $3.2b)
Air to Ground Weapons ($1.2 - $1.7b)
Air to Air Weapons ($1.7 - $2.5b)
Air Launched Strike Capability ($3.4 - $5.2b)
High-Speed Long-Range Strike, including Hypersonic Research ($6.2 - $9.3b)
Teaming Air Vehicles ($7.4 - $11b)
MQ-4C Triton ($1.8 - $2.7b)
MC-55A Peregrine ($1.1 - $1.7b)
Armed Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System ($1.6 - $2.4b)Distributed Ground Station Australia($1.2 - $1.8b)
Additional ISR Capability ($4.1 - $6.1b)Operational Radar Network Expansion ($0.7 - $1b)
P-8A Poseidon Assurance ($2.4 - $3.6b)
E-7A Wedgetail Capability Upgrade($2.3 – $3.5b)
E-7A Wedgetail Replacement ($14 - $21.1b)
Air Mobility Assurance ($1.8 - $2.7b)
C-130J Hercules Replacement ($8.8 - $13.2b)
KC-30A Replacement ($17.5 - 26.2b)
Joint Air Battle Management System($1.8 – $2.8b)
Medium Range Ground Based Air Defence($4.9 – $7.3b)
Deployed Ballistic & High-Speed Missile Defence ($15.8 - $23.7b)

2020

2025

2030

2035

2040

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

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59

6

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

60

61
` Chapter Six: Space Domain
6.1

Australia is increasingly reliant on satellite-based capability and services,
particularly where digital data and information drives decision-making.
At the same time, low-Earth space orbits are becoming congested withincreasing numbers of satellites being launched around the world every
year. The combination of an increasing reliance on space capabilities withthe capacity limitations of Australia’s legacy systems must be addressed.

6.2

Defence is working closely with the United States and other Combined
Space Operations Initiative partners, the Australian Space Agency andindustry to transform the way the ADF operates in space, including in
relation to satellite communications, space domain awareness, precisionnavigation and timing, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

6.3

Our space services and space control programs, along with the Geospatial
Information and Intelligence program, contribute to Defence operations
by providing assured access to space capabilities, enabling situationalawareness and delivering real-time communications and position,navigation and timing information.

6.4

Continued investment and development of space capabilities will
be required to further improve Defence’s resilience and enhance alarge number of space-dependant capabilities across the Joint Force.
Investment of around $7 billion in space capabilities over the next decade,which includes investment in sovereign-controlled satellites, will provide
assured access to these services when needed.

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62Space services
6.5

Satellite communications and position, navigation and timing data areessential for the command and control of deployed forces. These systems
enable the sharing of real-time operational and logistical information andfor the placement, navigation and synchronisation of Defence assets. This
does not include geospatial-intelligence capabilities which are included inEnterprise Programs.

6.6

The Government’s plans include a rolling upgrade program to assure
position, navigation and timing information in a contested environment.
Defence is also exploring cutting edge research into additional precision
timing means.

6.7

The Government will also continue to invest in upgrades and support toexisting and future satellite communications systems. This investment
seeks to increase our worldwide capacity through enhanced allied andcommercial arrangements and includes the provision for network growth
if the Government deems this desirable in the future. The Government’splans include communications satellites and ground control stations thatwill be under sovereign Australian control, increasing our self-relianceand resilience.

Space control
6.8

Australia holds a unique geographical position to contribute significantly
to collective space domain awareness with our allies and partners. Space
domain awareness enables better tracking and identification of space
objects and threats, such as space debris, as well as predicting andavoiding potential collisions. Defence currently hosts a United States
C-Band Radar and Space Surveillance Telescope and will continue to build
our space domain awareness capabilities with the United States and other63
key partners into the future. To ensure that we can take full advantage ofthe large volumes of information that will be developed, the Government isalso investing in growing the intelligence and supporting workforce.
6.9

In addition, Defence will need capabilities that directly contribute to war
fighting outcomes in the space domain using terrestrial and/or space
based systems. The Government’s plans include the development of
options to enhance ADF space control through capabilities to counteremerging
threats
to Australia’s
free use of the space domain andChart 5 space- Space
DomainOverviewthat assure our continued access to space-based intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance.

Chart 5 – Key Space Domain Investments
Satellite Communications ($4.6b - $6.9b)
Satellite Communications Assurance($1.7b - $2.5b)
Terrestrial Operations in Contested Space($1.4 - $2b)Space Situational Awareness ($1.3 - $2b)

2020

2025

2030

2035

2040

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

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65

7

FORCE STRUCTURE PLAN 2020

66

67
` Chapter Seven: Land Domain
7.1

Throughout its history, Australia’s land forces have responded to a wide
variety of tasks from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, topeacekeeping and, ultimately, to combat operations. To equip the land
forces to meet these challenges into the future, new investments areplanned in strike weapons, watercraft, helicopters, information effects,
logistics resilience and emerging robotics and autonomous systems.

7.2

These capabilities will increase the land force’s combat power, and give
the Government more options to deploy the ADF in the more competitiveenvironment Australia now faces, and is expected to face into the future.
Australia’s land forces will be connected, protected, potent and enabled.
Enhanced mobility, firepower, protection, and situational awarenesswill allow them to rapidly deploy where they are needed, achieve their
missions, and return home safely. They will be better able to operate
independently and to integrate with Australia’s partners and allies.

7.3

The programs outlined here will also enhance the ADF’s ability to support
the nation in times of domestic crisis and to respond into the region forhumanitarian assistance or stability operations. Enhancements to mobility,
intelligence and reconnaissance, and special operations forces, among
others, will give the Government more options to deploy the ADF acrossthe full spectrum of national interests. This total package of capability
investment in the land forces will be worth around $55 billion over the
next decade.

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68Land combat vehicles
7.4

7.5

The Government has made significant investments in the ADF’s amoured
fighting vehicle capability. Australia has the capability to conduct sustained
close combat in the land domain, which is critical to ensuring the ADF
provides a credible deterrent to any threats to our interests. To build the
ADF’s capability in this regard, the Government’s plans include:•

Procurement of the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle, to bebuilt in Queensland, which will enhance the survivability of mounted
land intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance elements of thecombat force;•

Selection and procurement of infantry fighting vehicles to replace
the M113AS4 armoured personnel carrier and provide soldiers witha modern close combat vehicle with improved survivability;•

Procurement of a new armoured combat engineering capability toensure the survivability of engineers while supporting land force
vehicles to bypass or penetrate obstacles during combat; and•Upgrades to ensure the M1 Abrams fleet remains a regionallysuperior main battle tank, and measures to improve thesustainability of the tank fleet.

Defence will also develop options for a system to replace the current tankcapability when it reaches its end of life. This new system will integratewith reconnaissance and infantry fighting vehicles to ensure the land force
retains a decisive land combat capability into the future.

69
Land combat support
7.6

To enable joint land operations, particularly in high-intensity conflicts,
Defence will require protected capabilities that give land forces the ability
to shape the battlefield and strike adversaries at a distance. Land forces
will also require expanded combat engineering capabilities to enablemobility and provide survivability and sustainment support.

7.7

Within this program the Government has existing plans for the
procurement of a long-range rocket artillery and missile system and newengineering vehicles.

7.8

To further strengthen capability to shape the battlefield and strikein contested environments, enhancements to land combat areplanned, including:•

Two regiments of Self-Propelled Howitzers (the core of theProtected Mobile Fires capability), to be built in Geelong, Victoria tocomplement existing land-based strike capabilities. This includes
a future program of upgrades to hardware and software to ensure
these systems retain their potency over time;•

The enhancement or replacement of the M777 155mm lightweight
towed howitzer with a rapidly-deployable and lightweight artillery to
maximise the flexibility of the ADF’s suite of artillery capabilities;•

The procurement of a battery of long-range rocket artillery andmissile systems, upgrades to the range of these systems to enable
a land based operational strike capability, and the purchase ofadditional units to enable the capability to be expanded into a full
regiment of three batteries;•

A future program to develop a directed energy weapon system able
to be integrated onto ADF protected and armoured vehicles, andcapable of defeating armoured vehicles up to and including main

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71
battle tanks. The eventual deployment of directed energy weapons
may also improve land force resilience by reducing the force’s
dependence an ammunition stocks and supply lines;•

Introduction of smart anti-tank mines, which will strengthen the
ADF’s ability to shape the battlefield;•

Provision of additional protective equipment, sensors andmedical supplies for the ADF in operations in chemical, biological,
radiological and nuclear contaminated environments; and•The establishment of a coordination office for the implementation ofrobotics and autonomous systems across the land force to enable,enhance and protect platforms and personnel in combat.

Land combat mobility
7.9

To provide land forces with the mobility, protection and sustainment theyrequire, a range of investments are being made by the Government in land
mobility and support capabilities, including:•

The continued construction and maintenance of the Australian built
Bushmaster and Hawkei protected mobility vehicles in Victoria toensure ADF personnel are protected against explosive and ballistic
threats on the battlefield;•

Replacing the ageing fleet of medium and heavy fleet trucks withmodern, high-capacity vehicles that will protect crews, carry greaterloads and ensure continuous logistic support to land forces;•

A bulk fuel storage and distribution system to sustain deployed
forces across the spectrum of operations; and•An ADF Deployable Health System to ensure the best medical carefor ADF personnel, and to provide a flexible capability for use in
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

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7.10 To enhance the ADF’s ability to respond to a range of circumstancesacross the region, further enhancement will be made to land mobility andsupport through planned investment in:•

New Army watercraft basing in Northern Australia to support an
expansion of the Army’s watercraft fleet.

•

Several large amphibious vessels to enhance the amphibious lift
capacity of the ADF, especially in Australia’s territorial waters andnear region;•

A fleet of inshore patrol craft able to expand the Army’s capability topatrol and operate in the riverine environment;•

Additional medical equipment for vehicles and helicopters to ensure
the safe evacuation of casualties from the battlefield to suitable
medical facilities;•

An active protection system for Bushmaster, Hawkei and heavy
truck protected vehicles and landing craft able to defeat modern
anti-armour weapons and protect vehicle crews;•

Acquisition of a fleet, up to a brigade in size, of un-crewed systems,
to include vehicles, to support operations by land forces. This will
enhance the war-fighting capability of the ADF while also protecting
Australian personnel; and•Upgrades to the ADF’s current Bushmaster protected mobility
vehicles to a common standard, incorporating lessons fromAfghanistan and recent disaster relief operations.

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Battlefield aviation
7.11 Crewed and remotely piloted airborne platforms and capabilities are
critical for land manoeuvre, by providing transport, battlefield supportand intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The Government
will continue with its investments in key battlefield aviation capabilities
including:•

Replacement of the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter fromthe mid-2020s;•

Procurement of a special operations rotary wing capability to meetthe niche demands of special operations;•Continued operation of a multi-role troop lift helicopter and theCH-47F Chinook multi-mission heavy-lift transport helicopter for theprovision of mobility, logistic support and aeromedical evacuation ofland forces; and•Continued operation of tactical remotely piloted aerial vehicles toprovide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in support ofland forces.

7.12 Investment is also planned in future aviation capabilities to ensure theland force maintains flexibility in movement and superiority in battlefieldsurveillance and reconnaissance networks, including:•

Small remotely piloted aerial systems to support the land force’s
surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities;•

The acquisition of long-range rotorcraft to enable land force
projection and support at greater ranges; and•In the longer term, the acquisition of a Next Generation
Rotorcraft will replace elements of battlefield aviation withenhanced capabilities.

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Dismounted systems
7.13 The ADF must have the ability to have a persistent ground presence,
operate in complex terrain, and defeat adversaries through close combat.
7.14 Government will continue to invest in enhanced equipment to enable
and protect soldiers on the modern battlefield. This includes small arms
and heavy weapons systems, night vision equipment, personal ballistic
protection and load carrying equipment. To support these programs,
Defence plans to establish a contested urban environment research office
to coordinate research into, and the rapid fielding of, constantly evolving
combat equipment.

Special operations
7.15 The Defence special operations capability provides Government withresponse options for irregular and conventional threats beyond thecapability of general-purpose forces or other government agencies. This
capability will be increasingly important to countering the grey-zone
threats Australia is likely to face in the future.
7.16 The Government is committed to maintaining Australia’s special forces
capability, and is planning investments in the Special Operations
Continuous Development Program and a deployable special operations
engineering capability. The Government’s plans also include investment ina replacement fleet of medium/heavy special operations vehicles and theacquisition of small submersible and surface boat capabilities to support
maritime counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance and warfare, andprecision strike missions.

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76Land intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissanceand electronic warfare
7.17 Defence requires technologically advanced, networked and integrated
systems – including land intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissanceand electronic warfare capabilities – for joint and coalition operations.
The protection of land forces also requires cyber and counter improvised
explosive device (CIED) capabilities. To provide these capabilities, theGovernment will continue its investment in the enhancement of CIED
protection, geospatial support to land forces, and a land tactical electronic
warfare capability.
7.18 The Government also plans to acquire a next-generation counter remotely
piloted aerial system to help counter the proliferation of these systems,
and to raise a new Army unit dedicated to information warfare activities.

Land command, control, communications
and computers (C4)
7.19 Land C4 will need to be enabled through technologically advanced,
networked and integrated systems that support joint and coalition
operations. The Government will continue investments in battlefieldcommand, control and communications systems; battle management
systems; and deployable computer networks. Investment is also plannedin new satellite communication terminals to support the land forces.
17.20 To align the future land force structure with the strategic objectives in
the 2020 Defence Strategic Update, Government has agreed to minor
scope and timing adjustments to several Land domain projects thatwill not impact on the ADF’s land force capability. Notably, Defence
will substantially reduce the planned modernisation and consequent
replacement of the G-Wagon vehicle fleet. Due to a lack of protection,these vehicles will not be deployable to future battlefields and their role

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Chart 6 – Land Domain
will be accommodated by other vehicles such as the Bushmaster, Hawkei
and heavy truck protected mobility fleets.

Chart 6 – Key Land Domain Investments
Protected Mobile Fires(Self-Propelled Howitzers)($0.9 – $1.3b)
Additional Protected Mobile
Fires (Self-Propelled
Howitzers) ($1.5 – $2.3b)
Protected Mobile Fires Assurance(Self-Propelled Howitzers)($2.1 – $3.2b)Long Range Rocket andMissile Systems Fires($0.6 – $0.9b)Long Range Rocket and Missile Systems Fires Upgrades($1.6 – $2.4b)
Additional Long Range Rocket and Missile
Systems Fires ($1 – $1.5b)
Battlefield Command Systems($1.8 – 2.7b)
Battlefield Communications ($3.2 – $4.8b)
Combat Engineering
Vehicle ($0.9 – $1.3b)
Boxer Combat Reconnaissance
Vehicle ($5b)
Integrated Soldier Systems ($3.6 – $5.5b)
Infantry Fighting Vehicle ($18.1 – $27.1b)
Tank Assurance ($0.6 – $1b)
Tank Replacement Evaluation and
Design ($8 – $11.9b)
Tactical UAV ($400 – $700m)
Future Autonomous Vehicles($7.4 – $11.1b)
Army watercraft ($1.4 – $2.1b)
Hawkei($0.9 – $1.4b)
Heavy Trucks($1.3 – $2b)
Next Gen Rotorcraft($1.1 – $1.6b)

Tiger Replacement ($3.4 – $5.1b)Long-range Rotorcraft ($1.4 – $2.1b)

2020

2025

2030

2035

2040

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8

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` Chapter Eight: DefenceEnterprise Programs
8.1

In a strategic environment that is more complex and contested than in thepast, it will be more important for Defence to have the ability to sustain
a wider range of missions for longer periods of time. It is also important
to manage the risk of relying on highly efficient global supply chains forcritical capabilities that would be in high demand in times of crisis.

8.2

The Government will invest around $15 billion over the next decade in
Defence capabilities critical to the generation of military power. This does
not include the investments in Enterprise Information and Communications
Technology; Estate and Infrastructure; or Innovation, Science andTechnology, which are detailed in the following chapters.

Geospatial information and intelligence
8.3

This program covers those major capabilities that are used by theAustralian Geospatial-Intelligence Organisation to deliver geospatialintelligence, data and services (collectively known as ‘GEOINT’) to the ADF,
the National Intelligence Community and broader whole-of-Government
partners. GEOINT can range from a simple map through to complex,
highly-accurate three dimensional models of an urban area that assist in
the deployment of precision-guided weapons.

8.4

The Defence GEOINT capability has been the subject of significant
investment by Government, as a component of improving Defence’s
sovereign capacity to maintain awareness of a rapidly-changing strategic
environment. The Government will also continue to build Australia’s self
reliant geospatial-information and intelligence capability, both to support
strategic intelligence requirements and support precision guided weapons.
This will include acquisition of a sovereign space-based imagery capability
to enhance coverage of the Indo-Pacific region.

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8.5

The Government is also planning enhancements to:•

GEOINT satellite data acquisition from commercial and sovereignsources; and•Specialist GEOINT exploitation and dissemination systems to ensurethat the ADF and other national security customers have reliable
access to GEOINT.

Guided weapons and explosive ordnance
8.6

One of the most consistent and important lessons from previous conflicts
around the world has been how quickly supplies of precision munitions
can come under stress, especially for those nations that possess little
domestic capacity to manufacture them. In a world that is becoming more
contested and where supply chains have been shown to be fragile inmoments of crisis, it is important for Defence to re-evaluate its capacity tosustain the ADF on operations.

8.7

The Government has directed Defence to develop options to increase
supplies of munitions through:•An increase in weapon inventory across the ADF to ensure weapons
stock holdings are adequate to sustain combat operations if global
supply chains are at risk or disrupted;•

The redevelopment of the Mulwala explosives and propellant facility
to expand its capacity for munitions production, thus enhancing theresilience of ADF ammunition supply; and•Exploring the potential for a new sovereign guided weapons andexplosive ordnance production capability to mitigate supply risks,
especially for those munitions with long lead-times.

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Defence training and simulation
8.8

Training and simulation is critical to prepare Defence for the rangeof missions it will face now and in the future, and the cutting-edge
technology it will need to maintain its competitive advantage. The ADF isworld-class in the quality of its training, and the Government is investing
to keep it that way through enhancements to Defence training areas
and facilities, live and simulated, and through simulation software andtechnology refreshes.

8.9

The Government will also consider future investment in a joint forces
battle laboratory, the use of simulation to support operations, simulationinteroperability with allies and Defence simulation support to whole-ofGovernment activities.

Recapitalisation of Reserves
8.10 The Government plans further investment in the Reserves in the longer
term to equip and enhance the ADF Reserves to a level commensuratewith the ADF in important warfighting and operational support capabilities.
This will allow a more rapid and sustainable mobilisation of Defence
Reserves for a broad range of tasks.

Defence business enterprise architecture
and transformation
8.11 For Defence to function effectively and adapt to a strategic environmentthat will be changing more quickly, the way Defence functions to
support its frontline capabilities, including its people in uniform, will be
as important as the capabilities themselves. Driving improved businessprocesses, enterprise information management, enterprise resource
management and broader transformational reforms across Defence will be

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critical to future Defence effectiveness. The Government is committed to
improving enterprise business processes by implementing reform across
Defence to maximise business commonality and effectiveness.
8.12 Upgrades and improvements to these critical support functions will becomprehensive in their scope and include human resource management
systems, including health, Defence’s information management systems
and technology, and resource planning.

Joint logistics
8.13 Strengthening the logistics supply chain, and optimisation of key enablers– such as the supply of fuel and the movement and storage of explosive
ordnance – are vital to the future operational capability of Defence.
Developing more durable supply chain arrangements and strengthened
sovereign industrial capabilities will be critical to the ADF’s self reliance,
including in the context of high-intensity operations.
8.14 To build Defence’s joint logistics capacity, the Government is continuing
the Defence Fuel Transformation Program and is planning further joint
logistics investments in:•

Improved fuel resilience through the acquisition of a deployable fuelstorage capability of increased scale and capacity to assure longer
or larger-scale ADF deployed operations;•

Additional fuel storage infrastructure across a number of Defence
sites to enhance the capacity, survivability and redundancy of
the integral fuel supply system, and ensure the ADF can conduct
operations when global supply chains may be disrupted;•

Digitalisation and modularisation of the existing supply system
to increase its responsiveness and the agility of the ADF supply
chain; and85•

Development of a Defence mobilisation plan to increase the
ADF’s ability to support a range of scenarios, including in
response to future large-scale domestic natural disasters andnational
emergencies.
Chart
7 – Key
Defence EnterpriseChart 7 – Key Defence Enterprise Program Investments
Satellite Imagery Capability (Access) ($0.4 – $0.5b)*
Additional Sovereign Satellites(imagery) ($1.2 – $1.8b)
Sovereign Satellite Imagery Capability ($3.2 – $4.8b)
Recapitalisation of the Reserves ($6.3 – $9.4b)
Weapon Inventory Surety ($20.3 – $30.4b)
Supply Chain Upgrades ($2.3 – $3.5b)
Improved Fuel Resilience ($1– $1.5b)
Enhanced KC-30
Logistics in Northern
Australia ($1.6b)
Sovereign Weapons Manufacturing($0.8 – $1.1b)
Increased Airbase Resilience ($2.9 - $4.3b)

2020

2025

2030

2035

2040

* Denotes capabilities which include future sustainment
Note:* includes future sustainment.

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9

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` Chapter Nine: Australia’s
Defence Industry
9.1

The 2020 Force Structure Plan outlines the Government’s commitment
to a program of future investment and opportunity for defence industry,
further cementing the role of Australian industry as a fundamental input
to capability. The plan reinforces the Government’s commitment to build aresilient and internationally competitive defence sovereign industrial base.
Over the next decade, the Government’s vision is for an Australian defence
industry with the capacity, posture and resilience to help meet the ADF’s
acquisition and sustainment needs.

9.2

Australia’s defence industry has delivered key elements of the 2016
Defence White Paper, including:•

The introduction into service and export of the most advanced
phased array radar in the world;•

Critical parts for the worldwide in-service F-35A Lightning II fifth
generation stealth aircraft;•

Implementation of the 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan, including
the Government’s commitment to nine Hunter class frigates; 12
Offshore Patrol Vessels and 12 regionally superior conventional
submarines – all to be built in Australia;•

The design, production and introduction into service of protectedvehicles; and•New industries to produce the next generation of combat
reconnaissance vehicle and advanced armoured vehicles.

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9.3

Global strategic trends, the increasing rate of technological and militarymodernisation, and sharper awareness of supply chain resilience mean
Defence requires strong partnerships with Australian industry. Thispartnership continues to grow, with this Government maximising defence
industry opportunity to further build a sovereign industrial base on which
the ADF can rely.

9.4

The Government recognises that building Australia’s sovereign defence
industrial base is a long-term body of work that requires coordinatedeffort. Through the Australian Industry Capability (AIC) Program,the Government will ensure Australian companies can participate inhigh value, high-tech projects that will support the development ofAustralia’s sovereign defence industrial base. Large companies competingfor Defence contracts are expected to transparently build Australiancompanies into their supply chains, particularly where those contracts
include identified sovereign defence industrial capability priorities.

9.5

The AIC Program supports Australian industry involvement in Defence
procurement and projects. The program requires that prime companies
competing for Defence contracts demonstrate how they will maximise
Australian industry involvement. Examples include the acquisition
contract for 211 Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles, involving an
AIC commitment of $1.3 billion in the acquisition contract, and the morethan 300 Australian companies that are currently associated with theconstruction of the Offshore Patrol Vessels.

9.6

Analysis of spending flowing from the 2016 Defence White Paper
indicates that Australia’s defence industry is growing, with over 4,000
businesses employing approximately 30,000 staff. An additional 11,000
Australian companies directly benefit from Defence investment, andwhen further downstream suppliers are included the benefits flow toapproximately 70,000 workers in total. Investments set out in this Plan
will support continued growth of Australia’s defence industry. Further
economic benefit analysis is under way to provide greater understandingof the effects of Defence spending.

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9.7

The Government acknowledges that investment in Defence capabilities
supports Australia’s economy by creating and sustaining Australianjobs and growth in industry, and builds on links with other sectors
in the economy, including mining, the space industry and advanced
manufacturing. The 2020 Force Structure Plan continues theGovernment’s investment in Australian industry and builds on existing
Defence initiatives to maximise defence industry opportunity.

9.8

The strengthened AIC Program requires tenderers to provide a proposed
approach to supporting innovation, technology transfer, research anddevelopment, veteran employment and indigenous businesses as they
develop their AIC plan. To ensure support for Australian industry, theGovernment is establishing an independent AIC audit program in 2020.
The audit program will investigate and report on prime contractors’
performance in delivering their contracted Australian industry obligations.
The Government proposes to enhance the AIC contractual framework togive greater prominence to AIC terms and increase enforceability using
contractual and non-contractual mechanisms. The AIC Program was
expanded in 2019 to include non-materiel and infrastructure procurement.

9.9

Local Industry Capability Plans (LICP), set out in the Defence Policy for
Industry Participation in 2019, are an initiative to maximise the opportunity
for local business to be involved in Defence infrastructure projects. Allconstruction-related procurements above $7.5 million require tenderers todevelop a LICP to outline how local industry has been, or will be, engaged
in the development and delivery of the proposed solution, and the work
proposed to be undertaken by local industry.

9.10 Work is under way to strengthen the consideration of Australian industry
in the Capability Life Cycle. This formalises the requirements on Defence
officials to consider Australian industry involvement at the early stagesof capability development and at each stage of the life cycle, including
conducting early engagement with industry and updating Ministers
on actions taken to maximise opportunities for Australian industry.

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Engagement with partners in industry and academia also occurs via
the Force Exploration Hub which supports Defence to better matchthe development of future capability needs with industry’s ability todeliver them.
9.11 An initial list of ten Sovereign Industrial Capability Priorities (Priorities),
set out in the 2018 Defence Industrial Capability Plan provides a focal
point for the industrial capabilities we need access to, or control over, inAustralia. The first two implementation plans were released in December
2019 and the remaining plans will be available by the end of 2020.
9.12 The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grant Program provides
funding support to small and medium businesses that contribute to one
or more of the Priorities. The Sovereign Industrial Capability Priority Grants
program is currently funded up to $17 million per year. Since the program
began in December 2018, 50 businesses have been awarded a total of$24.5 million.
9.13 The Australian Defence Export Office, a key initiative of the Defence
Export Strategy, provides advice and support to Australia’s defence
industry to increase its presence at international and domestic tradeshows and trade missions, which is facilitating increased exports andgovernment-to-government arrangements. The office also coordinateswith the Global Supply Chain Program to maximise the number ofAustralian businesses in the supply chain of global defence companies.
9.14 The Defence Global Competitiveness Grants Program provides support
to businesses that are investing in projects that build export capability
and a stronger, more sustainable and globally competitive Australian
defence industry. The Global Competitiveness Grants are currently funded
up to $4.1 million per year out to 2028-29. Since the program began in
January 2019, 27 businesses have been awarded over $3.1 million.
9.15 The National Defence Industry Skills Office, a key initiative of the
Defence Industry Skilling and Science, Technology, Engineering and93
Mathematics (STEM) Strategy, oversees the delivery of skilling grants,
the Schools Pathways Program and the Defence Industry Internship
Program. The Office also coordinated the National Defence Industry
Skilling and Workforce Summit in November 2019. Complementing thiseffort is the work of the Naval Shipbuilding College, which is focused on
creating the shipbuilding workforce of the future.
9.16 The Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC) assists Australianbusinesses to navigate the defence sector landscape and prepare to meetcurrent and future Defence requirements. Since December 2016, thecentre has provided over 830 advisory services to Australian organisations
and awarded over 220 grants to the value of $27.9 million.
9.17 The Government is reviewing the operational model of the CDIC to ensure
it is appropriately equipped to deliver a robust defence industry that issustainable and internationally competitive. The review will assess how the
CDIC can continue supporting the growth of Australian defence industry
now and into the future. The investments outlined in the 2020 Force
Structure Plan will enhance the CDIC’s programs to stimulate defence
industry through providing more opportunities for Australian businesses tobecome involved in major Defence projects.
Australia’s growing defence industry now has more than 4,000
businesses that employ approximately 30,000 staff. An additional
11,000 Australian companies directly benefit from Defence
investment, and when further downstream suppliers are included thebenefits flow to approximately 70,000 workers in total.
Conservative estimates place the Defence industry’s contribution
at $3.45 billion in value-add to Australia’s Gross Domestic Product(GDP) (2017-18).

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Maximising industry opportunities
9.18 The 2020 Force Structure Plan provides Australian industry with insight
into future Defence procurement plans. A close partnership between
Defence and industry is required across the full spectrum of capability
requirements. This ranges from high-end technology to deliver the edge
to the war-fighter through to enabling capabilities, such as logistics,
information and communications technology (ICT), and health support.
9.19 Defence will facilitate an ongoing dialogue with industry that builds on
existing programs and networks to ensure Defence provides industry
with a sufficient level of fidelity on capabilities to inform industry planningand choices for investment, including through Defence Environmental
Working Groups and major conferences. Through the ongoing force
design process, industry will be provided regular updates on the planningof individual capability proposals, aligned with Government’s strategic
priorities.
9.20 New investments outlined in the 2020 Force Structure Plan demonstrate
the potential for increased involvement of Australian industry.
Investments in cyber, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, radar,
communications and space-based capabilities and sensors offer theopportunity for Defence to work with industry to strengthen the Australianindustrial base in these advanced technological areas.
9.21 The 2020 Force Structure Plan also includes a number of significant
investments in infrastructure and the supply of critical commodities
such as deployable fuel, spare parts and stocks of advanced guided
weapons and explosive ordnance. Currently, Australia has a munitions
manufacturing capability at Benalla which ensures the supply of
ammunition in times of need. Defence will explore options to assure thesupply of larger, critical munitions including propellants and missiles. This
will present opportunities for Australian industry.

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9.22 The ongoing production of the Hawkei vehicle, and the decision tobuild the new Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle, the self-propelled
howitzers, and the new infantry fighting vehicles in Australia create
significant long-term opportunities, including the potential for export.
Defence will work with industry to ensure work is sequenced to manage
peaks and troughs in demand, to harness as much as possible thebenefits of steady-state work.
9.23 The 2020 Force Structure Plan provides Australian companies withinformation on new and emerging projects, as well as projects that aredelayed or no longer required. Changes in the strategic environment or
technology means some investments previously foreshadowed in 2016
have been prioritised to adapt to an ADF structured for a new era ofstrategic challenges. The overall impact on Australian industry of removing
or delaying projects will not have an immediate impact, as most of theseprioritisation decisions relate to investments that had not been approved
and were not due to start for many years.

Driving innovation
9.24 The 2020 Force Structure Plan delivers increased funding to innovationand capability acceleration programs to generate and deliver on Australianindustry’s innovative solutions for Defence capability.
9.25 Sustained investment in innovation is necessary to enable Defence tomaintain a capability advantage over potential adversaries. The rapid paceof technological change and shifting geopolitical dynamics make it morechallenging for Defence to maintain this advantage and it is increasingly
important that Defence is able to leverage the best innovation on offer
within Australia.

979.26 Central to this mission is the Defence Science and Technology Group. The
second largest publicly funded research and development organisation inAustralia, Defence Science and Technology Group works in partnershipwith academia, industry and other government departments to provide
specialist advice and solutions across the spectrum of Defence activity– from ground-breaking technologies through to research that enhances
operational readiness and sustainability, and support of Australian
personnel on operations.
9.27 The Defence innovation ecosystem has grown significantly since therelease of the 2016 Defence White Paper. The Government will further
invest in this sector to rapidly develop technology into capability andfeed the innovation pipeline through the exploration and development
of disruptive, leap-ahead technologies and technological adaptations
and innovation emerging from Australian industry. The Government has
committed around $3 billion of capability investment across Defence
innovation, science and technology over the next decade.

Defence’s current innovation system
9.28 The release of the 2016 Defence Industry Policy Statement wasan important step forward in improving coherence and reducing
fragmentation across the Defence innovation system. The two innovation
funding mechanisms announced in the 2016 Defence Industry Policy
Statement were the Next Generation Technologies Fund and the Defence
Innovation Hub.
9.29 These programs have been supported by the CDIC through the Defence
Innovation Portal. The Portal has facilitated engagement between Defence
and innovative research across Australia, and provides another avenue forinnovative small to medium enterprises to connect with Defence.

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The future Defence innovation system
9.30 Further work is needed to develop a more comprehensive, coherent andagile innovation system able to bridge the divide between technology
development and acquisition. The 2020 Force Structure Plan aims to
do so by strengthening the link between Defence’s capability plans withindustry policy initiatives, Defence’s reform program, the 2030 More
Together: Defence Science and Technology Strategy for innovation andclear resourcing plans.
9.31 The Next Generation Technologies Fund engages Australian industry,
universities and research organisations to research emerging and futuretechnologies with the potential to deliver game-changing capabilities for
Defence. It has invested more than $164 million in 204 research activities
and will make further investments worth approximately $1.2 billion overthe next decade.
9.32 The Defence Innovation Hub funds Australian and New Zealand entities
to develop innovative technologies with the potential to enhance Defence
capabilities. It has invested $237 million to Australian businesses todevelop innovative technology and over $800 million of further investment
is planned over the decade.
9.33 The Innovation Hub will continue to enable investment in potentially highpayoff research and in relatively lower risk incremental innovation throughtechnology prototyping and development by industry and the researchsector. This reinforces Defence’s commitment to stability and continued
growth in the innovation sector.

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9.34 To ensure Defence’s innovation system has the capacity to meet thedemands of future technological development, a new Capability
Acceleration Fund will also be introduced from the middle of thisdecade. Through this fund the Government will invest over $130 million
this decade to support the intensive development of key disruptive
technologies with industry beyond the early-stage research anddemonstration stages, taking promising technologies all the way throughto acquisition. This is intended to bring together industry participants,
Defence personnel and technical subject-matter experts to provide thesupport needed to build prototypes to demonstrate capability and set
requirements for future projects.

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10

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` Chapter Ten: Defence Workforce
10.1 The military and civilian personnel of the Defence and Australian Signals
Directorate workforce are the most important capability for the defenceof Australia and its national interests, and the investments outlined inthis document will require a highly-skilled workforce to deliver them. The
Government will implement an initial increase in ADF and Australian PublicService (APS) personnel over the next four years, and longer term growthacross the next two decades. Defence will undertake further planning andreturn to Government in 2021 with a detailed proposal for this growth.

People are key to Defence capability
10.2 Defence continues to implement the comprehensive program ofmodernisation identified in the 2016 Defence White Paper. However, thedemands on the Defence workforce are changing. A larger number ofmore-complex capabilities requires growth in the size of the workforce,both ADF and APS personnel. Defence must also reshape and reskill its
workforce to transition to new platforms and build capacity in emerging
capabilities such as cyber, intelligence, electronic warfare and space. An
increased operational tempo, rapid technological advancement within our
region and increasing commitments to international engagement are also
placing considerable pressure on the workforce.

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Defence is transforming its workforce
10.3 Since 2016, Defence has been delivering on planned workforce growth,with a strong focus on workforce modernisation through the ADF Total
Workforce System, recruitment in the ADF and improving recruitment
and retention in the APS. Defence operates as an integrated workforce,in which the APS workforce and ADF workforce deliver specialised andinterrelated contributions. The total workforce currently stands at around59,200 permanent ADF personnel, which includes 550 Australians
undertaking a gap year. There are around 40,000 Reserve personnel,
including around 29,000 personnel who are available to render service
and an additional 11,000 contingent workforce personnel who may becalled on as required. The APS has around 16,400 full-time equivalent
employees. These workforce numbers do not include personnel in theAustralian Signals Directorate, which became a statutory authority in
July 2018.

A skilled and professional workforce to meetchanging requirements
10.4 Defence will continue to optimise and embed its Total Workforce System,
implemented in 2016, to provide enhanced flexibility and agility to address
current and emerging workforce demands. The Total Workforce Systemenables different types of employment including full time, part-time, adual employment option where skills are shared between Defence andIndustry; and the use of contingent workforces providing new approaches
to delivering capability.
10.5 Based on detailed analysis of a range of military scenarios, fromhumanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations to combat, theGovernment has identified a need to grow the ADF and the APS beyond
the size approved under the 2016 Defence White Paper.

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10.6 A detailed proposal for this longer term growth will be considered byGovernment in 2021. As an initial step, Government has committed
to grow the ADF by around 800 and the APS by approximately 250
personnel in the short term. Additional growth is also planned for theAustralian Signals Directorate.

The Australian Defence Force
10.7 The investment in leading edge maritime capabilities requires significant
Navy workforce growth by the end of the decade. Under the 2020 Force
Structure Plan, Navy will initially grow by around 650 personnel by 2024.
This larger workforce will support increasing maritime commitments in theregion, including increased presence and engagement in the Pacific, andenhanced border security. Government will consider options for workforce
growth beyond this level to support the full crewing of an expanded
naval fleet and workforce reforms to reintroduce a sustainable sea-shorebalance for Navy personnel to promote stronger recruitment and retention.
10.8 Army is entering a period of significant modernisation, while alsobalancing an expanding commitment to regional partnerships. Under the2020 Force Structure Plan, Army will initially experience modest growth ofaround 50 personnel to 2024. Government will consider additional growth
beyond 2024 to strengthen a wide range of Army capabilities including
intelligence, cyber and electronic warfare; aviation and land combat
capabilities; special operations; and vital health, engineering and logistics
support functions.
10.9 Air Force is upgrading to a fifth-generation, networked force of crewed
and remotely piloted platforms. These systems bring unprecedented
capabilities and demand a comprehensive reshaping of workforce andskills to take full advantage of them. As a result, Air Force will grow by

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around 100 personnel by 2024. Government will consider additional
options for workforce growth beyond 2024 to strengthen a wide range ofcapabilities including space control, and additional aircrew to generateincreased flying hours for greater responsiveness, presence andpersistence. Workforce growth will also enhance intelligence, cyber andessential airbase support capabilities.
10.10 Joint Capabilities Group was established in 2017 to elevate the priority
of designated joint capabilities such as logistic support, information
warfare, health, and education and professional development. The
establishment of the Joint Capabilities Group has improved the ADF’s
capacity to conduct increasingly self-reliant and complex operations
across multiple domains. Joint Capabilities Group will experience modest
personnel growth by 2024, and Government will consider additional
options for workforce growth beyond 2024 to strengthen joint information
warfare capabilities in intelligence, cyber, electronic warfare and satellite
communications; and joint support functions of health, logistics, training
and youth development programs.

Australian Public Service
10.11 The APS has an essential role in delivering Defence capability, such as
strategy and planning; intelligence; capability acquisition and sustainment;
health support; and critical enabling functions such as financial,
workforce, and information technology management.
10.12 Defence relies on an integrated workforce model in which the APS is key
to Defence capability modernisation and future force posture. Additional
workforce growth will strengthen capacity to:•

Meet commitments under the Pacific Step-up;•

Acquire and sustain new and increasingly complex militaryplatforms and networks;•

Support the Naval Shipbuilding Plan;

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Continue research and innovation to ensure the ADF maintains atechnological advantage in the region; and•Strengthen the intelligence and cyber capabilities of the Australian
Signals Directorate.

Enabling functions
10.13 Growth in the Defence workforce also requires new investments insupporting estate and infrastructure, and services. The 2020 Force
Structure Plan includes investments to enlarge or update training facilities
and associated support infrastructure such as accommodation; increased
provisions for health care for ADF members; facilities and garrison
services on Defence bases; and increased capacity for ICT support andpersonnel enabling services. These improvements will be delivered to the
Defence presence in all states and territories.

Delivering the future workforce
10.14 In 2016, Defence developed a Strategic Workforce Plan to address key
workforce risks, support future growth in the workforce and provide thereshaping and reskilling necessary to deliver new Defence capabilities.
This Plan comprises ten action areas targeting recruitment, retention,
training, education and development; career and talent management; andworkforce planning.
10.15 Significant progress has been made in these areas, and work is now
underway on a major revision to produce a new strategic plan looking out
to 2040. The 2020 Force Structure Plan workforce outcomes will form thefoundation of this update, driving adjustments to existing action areas andpossible new initiatives. The new Defence Strategic Workforce Plan, to bereleased in late 2021, will provide further detail on Defence’s strategy toachieve workforce growth and plans for further growth beyond 2024.

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` Chapter 11: Defence Information
And Communications Technology
11.1 Modern, secure, sustainable and scalable information andcommunications technology (ICT) is critical to enable current and future
military and business operations. Defence operates one of the largest
and most complex information environments in Australia. It is required
to collect, process, store, and transmit information that underpins the
ADF’s capabilities. Ensuring information is secure and gets to where it isneeded, at the right time, is crucial to enabling a competitive warfighting
advantage over Australia’s adversaries.
11.2 The ADF’s increased investment in capabilities to respond to grey-zone
activities, including improved situational awareness, cyber capabilities,
electronic warfare and information operations is dependent on an
information environment that is modern, secure and highly effective.
Recognising the critical role of Defence’s information environment,
Government will invest around $5 billion over the next decade to meetthese requirements.

Defence ICT transformation
11.3 Defence has undertaken significant investment in ICT in the wake ofthe 2016 Defence White Paper, including provision of a new Defence
terrestrial communications network and the modernisation of desktop
computing and infrastructure.
11.4 The current and emerging technologies Defence will consider overthe next five years include next generation wireless networks, cloudcomputing, artificial intelligence, augmented analytics, and edge
computing. Over the next six to ten years, Defence ICT capability is likely

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to need to include robotics, block chain, immersive technologies, artificial
intelligence and quantum computing. These technologies will informDefence’s approach to ICT investment and technology pathways.
11.5 An ICT Capability Assurance Program will maintain existing ICT
capabilities; ensure systems and applications continuously updated andpatched; extend life-of-type; and upgrade capacity. It will reduce therequirement for concurrent complex, disruptive and expensive technology
transformations across the enterprise, and provide a continuous program
to ensure ICT capabilities remain modern and secure.
11.6 The Government plans further investments in new ICT capabilitiesaligned to security, information access and management, applications,connectivity, and processing and storage. These will allow Defence
to harness opportunities from emerging technology, including for the
upgrade of the Defence secure networks, and capabilities enabling better
information sharing with Australia’s allies and partners.

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` Chapter 12: Defence Estate
12.1 Critical infrastructure and facilities such as military bases, wharves, ports,
airbases, training ranges, and fuel and explosive ordnance infrastructure
are vital enabling capabilities for the ADF to conduct and sustain military
operations. The 2016 Defence White Paper identified the need for greater
investment in enablers essential to the delivery of capability, including
estate and infrastructure, and funded measures to remediate them.
12.2 Defence undertakes frequent reviews to ensure that all estate andinfrastructure projects are prioritised to reduce risks that may adversely
impact on capability. The Government has committed to strengthening the
Defence estate and infrastructure portfolio with capability investment ofaround $30 billion over the next decade.
12.3 To ensure this investment benefits local industry, Defence has introduced
Local Industry Capability Plans. Under these Plans, Defence has let
approximately 76 per cent of sub-contractor work packages to local
industry, representing a $1.0 billion investment into local economies todate. Even projects that commenced prior to the introduction of Local
Industry Capability Plans are now achieving approximately 61 per centlocal participation, representing a $2.4 billion investment into local
economies to date.
12.4 As a result of the policy, a clear trend can be seen in tender submissionsof more robust Local Industry Capability Plans and increasing local
content targets. Prime contractors are also demonstrating an increased
commitment to engaging with local industry.

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Defence estate investments
12.5 To support the generation and sustainment of current and futurecapability, the Government will continue with implementation of 2016
Defence White Paper estate investment plans in the following areas:•

HMAS Stirling in Western Australia will continue to be enhanced
through wharf upgrades and new training and support facilities;•

Garden Island in New South Wales will continue to be upgradedto support the expanded fleet and to better accommodate larger
vessels such as the Canberra class amphibious ships and Hobart
class destroyers;•

New and upgraded facilities will be constructed at RAAF Bases
Richmond, Williamtown, Tindal, Townsville, Darwin, Curtin, Scherger,
Learmonth, Pearce and Edinburgh; Defence Establishment
Myambat; and the airfield at Cocos (Keeling) Island;•Base infrastructure measures to remediate and expand Defence’s
fuel storage capacity and distribution installations as part of
improved fuel resilience plans; and•Provision of additional investment in the Woomera Range Complex
to support leading-edge systems development.

12.6 The Government is also planning to introduce new facilities and enhancethe existing estate to accommodate new capabilities proposed under the2020 Force Structure Plan, including workforce growth. This will include:•

The development of a new Army watercraft base in Northern
Australia to support the expansion of the Army’s watercraft fleet.
Defence will seek to establish a new base in Northern Australia
to consolidate all Army watercraft, enhancing amphibious shiploading capacity, and allowing the docking of patrol vessels
and minehunters;

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Upgrades to key ports and infrastructure to better support
Australia’s larger fleet of amphibious vessels, to enable loading oftroops and equipment, cargo, and supplies;•

An additional docking facility to complement the Captain Cookgraving dock to support the anticipated build and sustainment of
new and larger vessels;•

Increased investment in infrastructure to support and maintain the
Collins class submarines and the expanded Attack class fleets;•

Enhancements to airbases around Australia, including RAAF Bases
Edinburgh, Tindal, Amberley, Richmond, and Williamtown. Storage
facilities at Hobart Airport will also be upgraded to enable longrange operations to Antarctica;•

Infrastructure upgrades to key headquarters facilities, such as ADF
Headquarters in the Australian Capital Territory and Joint Operations
Command in New South Wales;•

Facility upgrades to Army bases in south-east Queensland andTownsville, and Robertson Barracks in the Northern Territory; and•The upgrade of training facilities and logistics infrastructure in South
Australia and Northern Territory.

12.7 As a result of evolving requirements and subsequent investmentsthat will deliver the required capability, the 2020 Force Structure Plan
identifies a small number of proposed 2016 Defence White Paper
projects that are no longer required, including a Darwin roll-on/roll-off
wharf and a new Northern Advanced Joint Training Area. While these
proposed investments will not go ahead, planned capability investments,
and commensurate workforce increases, combined with the US Force
Posture Initiative commitments, will match the 2016 Defence White
Paper’s $8 billion Northern Australia investment commitment in this

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Chart 8 – Key Defence Estate Investments

decade. These capability investments are also expected to result insignificant further investments and opportunities in the subsequent
decade. There have also been some adjustments to otherestate projects.

Chart 8 – Key Defence Estate Investments
Australian Port Infrastructure Upgrades ($1 – $1.5b)
Increased Fuel Storage Capacity ($0.9 – $1.3b)
Undersea Warfare Support Facilities and Infrastructure ($6.8 – $10.2b)
Enabling facilities and support for Navy workforce growth ($2.6– $3.9b)*
New Army Watercraft Base ($2.6 – $3.9b)
Enabling facilities and support for Army workforce growth ($5.6 – $8.5b)
Woomera Redevelopment and Refresh($600 – $900m)
Northern Air Base Resilience ($4.3 – $6.5b)
Northern Australia
EO Rail Link($0.2– $0.3b)
Enabling facilities and support for Air Force workforce growth ($3.5 – $5.2b)

2020

2025

2030

2035

*Denotes workforce growth related forecasts out to 2040 subject to future
Government approval.

2040

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