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Australia to form squadron of unmanned aircraft Australia will set up a squadron of unmanned aircraft under a A$50 billion ($38 billion) defense plan to protect its borders and boost military compatibility with the United States, the government said on Wednesday.
Defense Minister Robert Hill said the success of the U.S. Global Hawk drone in Iraq and Afghanistan demonstrated how pilotless aircraft could boost military capacity.
"This plan envisages investing in a squadron of pilotless aircraft to provide not only maritime patrol but also land surveillance and intelligence," Hill said at the launch of Australia's Defense Capability Plan 2004-2014.
"These aircraft would have the capacity to support operations ranging from border control to maritime and land operations in our region and beyond. They would also be able to assist with civil tasks such as bush fire detection and response."
Hill said Australia, a close U.S. ally, would spend up to A$1.0 billion ($770 million), up from A$150 million, on unmanned aircraft, with the latest generation of drones promising even greater potential for high-altitude, long-endurance operations.
He said no prime contractors had been identified for the new aircraft, which were expected to be in operation between 2009 and 2011, but the Global Hawk was currently the lead contender.
The Northrop Grumman Corp RQ-4 Global Hawkflew 1,500 hours during the U.S.-led wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, identifying targets and providing instant assessments on bombing strikes.
TIES U.S. LINKS
Australia more than most countries invests heavily in surveillance, stressing the information aspects of warfare that the U.S. military believes are increasingly decisive.
It has ordered airborne-radar planes and established big ground radars in the middle of the continent to watch ships and aircraft thousands of kilometers to the north.
Hill said the plan was drafted as the new global situation brought Australia's responsibilities as a U.S. alliance partner into "sharper focus," with Canberra accused by some Asian nations of playing "deputy sheriff" to the United States in the region.
Australia has already tightened security ties with the United States, joining a recent U.S.-led initiative to practice intercepting and searching ships suspected of carrying equipment and materials related to weapons of mass destruction.
The conservative government has also joined the U.S. Joint Strike Fighter program to develop a Lockheed Martin Corp new-generation fighter aircraft, and is in talks over a possible role in the controversial U.S. missile defense shield project although the plan did not earmark any funding for this.
The defense plan also confirmed a commitment to acquire three new air warfare destroyers, two new amphibious supply vessels and a fleet oiler ship. Australia's army is in the processes of acquiring a modern tank to replace its 40-year-old Leopard model.
Analysts said Australia's defense plan with 64 projects was not a radical departure from past plans, but a blow-out in some costs since the last review in 2000 was worrying and appeared linked with the bid for platforms with U.S. compatibility.
"You can get compatibility with the United States without buying American so it's concerning that there seems to be a buy-American mentality in the defense force," said Aldo Borgu, an analyst at think-tank Australian Strategic Policy Institute. ($1=A$1.30) |
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