FED:Major army restructure announced

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2011
FED:Major army restructure announced

PERTH, Dec 12 AAP - In a shake-up of Australia's defence force, the army will undergo
a major restructure aimed at strengthening its capabilities.

Announcing the changes in Perth on Monday, Defence Minister Stephen Smith said Plan
Beersheba would be progressively implemented over the next 10 years and would make the
army more efficient.

Under the plan, the first, third and seventh brigades will be restructured to form
three new multi-role manoeuvre brigades, while 10 battle group manoeuvre units will also
be established.

Mr Smith said the multi-role manoeuvre brigades would enable more effective training
in Australia and rapid deployment overseas.

The brigades will include armour, artillery, communication, engineering, infantry and
logistic elements, he said.

The Army Reserve will also be integrated with the regular army and will assume a greater
focus on operations.

The second battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment will also form the core of the
army's contribution to the future amphibious force, which will be capable of conducting
humanitarian and disaster relief.

Chief of Army Lieutenant General David Morrison welcomed the plan.

"Our modern army is moving into the future with a new perspective and a smarter way
of doing business and delivering capability within the resources we have," he said.

Other announcements made on Monday included the next step in the $7.5 billion Project
Overlander that will provide the defence force with about 7500 new vehicles over the next
10 years.

It will replace the current fleet of Land Rovers, Unimog, Mack and S-Liner trucks,
and their associated trailers and modules.

The minister also announced further measures to better protect troops in Afghanistan
against improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

The government will purchase four route clearance systems to safely clear roads for
troops at a cost of $70 million.

About 200 Bushmaster vehicles will also be upgraded, while the Chinook fleet will be
bolstered by two helicopters from the US, following the loss of one aircraft on operations
in Afghanistan.

Mr Smith said all the initiatives would set the army up for the future.

"This is a very big day for army, a very big day for defence," he said.

AAP anr/afr/goc/

KEYWORD: ARMY

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