The ANZACs in T2k

[Raellus]

Out of curiosity, I hit up Wikipedia and, apparently, Australia was a one-time user of the FIM-43 Redeye MANPAD. I guess it's better than nothing.

NOTE: I checked the entries for the Stinger and Blowpipe first. No dice.

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by Raellus

Out of curiosity, I hit up Wikipedia and, apparently, Australia was a one-time user of the FIM-43 Redeye MANPAD. I guess it's better than nothing.

Yes, had the Redeye from 1973 to 1987, Rapier from 1979 to 2005, and RBS-70 from 1987 to now (this was the weapon mounted on the navy's ships). The AIM-120 SLAMRAAM is due to be introduced next year.
Up until 1973 they were still equipped with the WWII 40mm Bofors.

[RN7]

The US supplied Australia with 260 FIM-43C Redeye SAM's between 1969 and 1970.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Yeah, it took about two years or so to get Army Air Defence trained, qualified and organized for the missile and then, from memory, they kept them based in South Australia. They were rarely part of deployed forces on field exercises for "reasons"...


As an aside but still on air defence, during the 1950s or 1960s the RAAF had the British Bloodhound SAM for protection of air bases. I don't know what mark they were but I think they decommissioned them in the 1970s.


EDIT: by way of explanation, when I said "reasons", I'm using it to imply that the head shed had some mysterious reason for not deploying the Air Defence units and that they never bothered to tell or explain that to anyone.

[Raellus]

I know that the Brits used tripod-mounted M2HB .50 caliber HMGs for impromptu air defense during the Falklands campaign. In a T2K scenario, especially a v1.0 continuation, it stands to reason that the Australians would supplement their Redeyes, Rapiers, RBF-70s, and Bofors guns with same.

I haven't checked my memory, but IIRC, Indonesian air power (both fixed wing and rotary) was not something to be particularly feared c.1996 (IRL), so it probably wouldn't give the RAAF and Australian army AAD forces too much trouble. I can't imagine that there are many- if any- airfields in western Papua that could accommodate modern jet fighter-bombers. Even if so, keeping said airfields supplied with fuel, parts, and advanced weaponry would be difficult to say the least.

[Legbreaker]

No 40mm bofors left in Australia in T2K - out of service nearly 30 years with most either scrapped, or deactivated (welded up and parts removed) and turned into memorials in parks and outside RSL (Returned Services League) clubs. There's a very good chance the old Redeye's would have been destroyed, although I can't find any details of their disposal (another question I have to ask of the relevant people I suppose).
The Indonesians don't really have a problem with airfields as the front is right on their doorstep. The Anzac forces have a bit further to go, but it's still well within range of the available aircraft with most probably based in either Darwin, Port Moresby, or RAAF Base Curtin at Derby.
Neither side has enough air power to gain air superiority (Australia's defence has always relied on the idea of a more powerful ally coming to their aid - initially Great Britain, and then the US from WWII onwards). It won't take long before both sides are either shot out of the sky, or simply unable to replace/repair aircraft with parts and replacements being sent to either Europe, Korea or the Middle East.

[RN7]

Might be of some use about the Bofors.

http://www.defence.gov.au/UXO/_Maste...oforsRev01.pdf