Quote:
Originally Posted by Targan
The Australian Government has announced plans for the Australian Army to create an Amphibious Ready Group, the equivalent of a single USMC Marine Expeditionary Unit. Our 2 landing dock ships are currently under construction in Spain and will come into service in 2013. They'll each carry a couple of Abrams MBTs, a couple of Eurotiger attack helos and a bunch of landing craft.
The unit being used to form the ARG will be 3 RAR, who were formerly the Australian Army's paratroopers. They'll start training for their new role when they return from their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. This obviously ties in nicely with the recent announcement of US Marines to be based in Darwin for dry season training. They'll be able to help 3 RAR prepare for their new, specialised role.
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I would say that any new Australian Marine Group would be drawn from a combination of selected units from the Special Operations Command and the three brigades of the 1st Division.
Tanks are likely to be assigned from the 1st Armoured Regiment, and the paratroops of the 3rd battalion and helicopters from the 16th Aviation Brigade are probably going to be used. Light armoured vehicles and mechanised infantry could be selected from any of the cavalry regiments and mechanised and motorised infantry battalions of the 1st Divisions three brigades. Special forces from the SAS and commando regiments are also probably going to be used.
Australian military expenditure seems to be on a bit of an upswing at the moment after years in the doldrums.
The army has got new heavy M1A1 tanks to replace the limited Leopard AS1's, a lot of new Bushmasters and new British field howitzers, and more Chinooks and new Tiger and MRH-90 helicopters. The RAAF has got a few squadrons of F/A-18F Super Hornets to keep them going until it gets the F-35, and whole load of new aircaft such as the Wedgetail, P-8 Posiedons, Airbus A330 tankers and C-17's are being delivered or are on order.
The RAN seems to be unergoing the greatest expansion with two new Canberra Class LHD's on order, as well as three Hobart Class AEGIS destroyers and six heavy landing craft, new helicopters and the recent purchase of the British Largs Bay LSD. The Collins Class submarines and the Adelaide Class Frigate are also undergoing significant upgrades, while the RAN also plan to buy new fleet replenishment ship. They also have announced future plans to buy 12 new submarines equipped with cruise missiles and mini-subs, 8 new destroyer sized frigates and 20 offshore patrol vessels and a new LPD.