Australian Defence Force
| Australian Defence Force |
|---|
|
| Military manpower |
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| Military age | 16 years of age for selection process, 17 years of age is actual serving age (As of 2005) |
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| Availability | males age 16-49: 4,943,676 (2005 est.) |
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| Fit for military service | males age 16-49: 4,092,717 (2005 est.) |
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| Reaching military age annually | males: 142,158 (2005 est.) |
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| Military expenditures |
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| Amount | US$17.8 billion (2005) |
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| Percent of GDP | 1.9% (2005) |
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The
Australian Defence Force numbers about 53,000 full-time active duty personnel plus another 20,700 reservists. This exceeds the current target of 50,000 full-time personnel because of short-term increases necessary to fulfill Australia's commitment in
East Timor. The ADF, although small numerically, is technologically sophisticated. It is the largest force in
Oceania, and plays a significant role in peacekeeping operations around the world. The ADF's main strategic rivals are within the
Asia-Pacific region.
|
Current command and control structure for ADF operations |
The ADF comprises the
Australian Army, the
Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and the
Special Operations Command. Operational command was exercised by Headquarters Australian Theatre (HQ AST) initially established in 1995 at
Potts Point in Sydney, led by a two-star equivalent officer. HQ AST was re-designated Joint Operations Command in 2004 which will move in the next three years to a new facility to be built at Bungendore, NSW, near Canberra. The Vice-Chief of Defence Force now has the additional responsibility of Chief of Joint Operations, directing the JOC.
Australia's
Department of Defence administers the Australian Defence Organisation (ADO) consisting of the ADF and the civilian personnel supporting the ADF. The civilian support consists of activities such as the
Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO), the
Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) that purchases and maintains defence equipment, and the
Defence Science and Technology Organisation (DSTO) that provides science and technology support to the defence forces. Military academies include the Royal Military College - Duntroon for the Army; HMAS Creswell for the Navy, and the Officer Training School - RAAF Base Williams for the Air Force. The
Australian Defence Force Academy is a Tri-Service university for officer cadets of all services wishing to attain a university degree through the Australian Defence Force.
The ADF is constituted under the Executive Government sections of the
Australian Constitution, Section 68, that says, "The command in chief of the naval and military forces of the Commonwealth is vested in the
Governor-General as the Queen's representative." (The Queen referred to in this Act of
9th July 1900 was
Victoria. No mention of the air force is made, as aircraft were not then invented. Subsidiary and subsequent legislation handles these matters.)
In practice, the control of the ADF is, politically, vested in the
Minister for Defence and several subordinate ministers. The Minister acts on most matters alone, however, important matters are considered by the National Security Committee of
Cabinet. The Minister then advises the Governor-General who acts as advised in the normal form of executive government.
Officers of the ADF are
commissioned by a document personally signed by the Governor-General, which is considered as a "Queen's Commission."
These are the current overseas operations of the
Australian Defence Force.
Operation Astute
*May 2006 - ADF deployment of 2600 personnel (including 1900 ground troops) to stabilise the situation in
East Timor. The
Australian Army has deployed 200 commandos, 8 Blackhawk helicopters and an infantry battalion. The
Royal Australian Air Force has contributed two C-130 Hercules transport aircraft and an Airfied Defence Guard detachment. The
Royal Australian Navy has assigned two Amphibious Landing Ships, three Landing Craft Heavy and two Sea King helicopters to the operation. The AFP has provided a contingent of 45 officers.
Operation Catalyst
*July 2003 - ADF contribution of 1400 personnel to the rehabilitation of
Iraq which includes two C-130 Hercules and 40
ASLAV armoured vehicles.
Operation Anode
*June 2003 - Contribution to the Australian-led
Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands currently standing at 400 troops, two Iroquois helicopters, and two
Armidale class patrol boats. The AFP also have a contingent of police in the Solomons.
Operation Slipper
*October 2001 - ADF contribution to the International coalition against terrorism. Currently deploys 310 personnel to
Afghanistan, including a 200-strong Special Forces Task Group and two Chinook helicopters. They will be joined by a 240-strong Reconstruction Task Force in the second half of the year. An
Anzac class frigate and two AP-3C Orion aircraft are deployed in the
Persian Gulf for maritime interdiction duties.
Chief of the Defence Force (CDF)
The position of Chief of the Defence Force was created after amending Defence legislation and came into effect on
25 October 1984.
*Air Chief Marshal
Angus Houston,
AO from
4 July 2005*General
Peter Cosgrove,
AC,
MC 4 July 2002 to
3 July 2005*Admiral
Chris Barrie,
AC,
RAN 4 July 1998 to
3 July 2002 *General
John Baker,
AC,
DSM 7 July 1995 to
3 July 1998 *Admiral
Alan Beaumont,
AC,
RAN 17 July 1993 to
6 July 1995 *General
Peter Gration,
AC,
OBE 13 April 1987 to
16 April 1993 *General Sir
Phillip Bennett,
AC,
KBE,
DSO 25 October 1984 to
12 April 1987Chief of Defence Force Staff (CDFS)
The position of Chief of Defence Force Staff was created after amending Defence legislation and came into effect on
9 February 1976.
*General Sir
Phillip Bennett, KBE, AO, DSO
13 April 1984 to
25 October 1984 *Air Chief Marshal Sir
Neville McNamara, KBE, AO, AFC, AE
21 April 1982 to
12 April 1984*Admiral Sir
Anthony Synnot, KBE, AO
21 April 1979 to
20 April 1982 *General Sir
Arthur MacDonald, KBE, CB
21 April 1977 to
20 April 1979*General Sir
Francis Hassett, AC, KBE, CB, DSO, MVO
9 February 1976 to
20 April 1977Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee
*General Sir
Francis Hassett, AC, CB, CBE, DSO, MVO
24 November 1975 to
8 February 1976 *Admiral Sir
Victor Smith, AC, KBE, CB, DSC
23 November 1970 to
23 November 1975 *General Sir
John Wilton, KBE, CB, DSO
19 May 1966 to
22 November 1970 *Air Chief Marshal Sir
Frederick Scherger, KBE, CB, DSO, AFC
28 May 1961 to
18 May 1966 *Vice Admiral Sir
Roy Dowling, KBE, CB, DSO
23 March 1959 to
27 May 1961 *Lieutenant General Sir
Henry Wells, KBE, CB, DSO
23 March 1958 to
22 March 1959*http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Latestproducts/E4C6925EA8471D95CA2570DE0005C656?opendocument
*
''Your Defence Dollar: The 2004/05 Defence Budget (Australian Strategic Policy Institute, 2004)
*
Military of Australia*
Defence Force Site*
Australian Defence Community at AusSpecialForces.com
