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Originally Posted by StainlessSteelCynic
Just a few points (and note, I am opposed to the this idea).
The Commando Regiments have long been considered part of the special forces along with the Regional Force Surveillance Units. The only difference with them now is that they are grouped under the same higher command as SASR. They would be wasted as an amphibious assault force as their skills cover covert infiltration of enemy sealanes, harbours etc. etc.
As Targan indicated, 3 RAR will lose its paratroop role and will be tasked as the Amphibious Ready Group.
We don't have any real need for an amphibious assault force and to be brutal, in this day and age unless we actually had the numbers that the USMC has, this group will get slaughtered trying to conduct any sort of opposed beach landing. We'd probably be okay as long as we just attack beaches belonging to Third World nations
When's the last time a real opposed amphibious action was carried out? How many personnel did they need to achieve it? How many naval vessels were required to support the action?
This concept sounds good and even looks good on paper but it's unrealistic in Australia's current condition.
The reason for that is glaringly simple - we have just 9 surface combatants in the fleet, 3 air warfare destroyers and 6 frigates.
We don't have the navy to support the current Australian governments fantasy of having an Australian Marine Corps
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I don't know why Australia wants a marine force if its own and it probably won't create one in the real sense of the word other than assigning army units to support and amphibous operation if they need to. More likely Australia sees itself as being able to contribute to part of a wider Western or allied deployment force in the Asia and Pacific region alongside American, NZ and possibly British and some friendly Asian forces such as Singapore, Japan or South Korea.