2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

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CHAPTER FOUR: THE FUTURE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE
4.60 Australia’s Special Forces will draw on a range of new capabilities
from across the capability streams. Special Forces will be provided
with new weapons and situational awareness, communications and
target acquisition equipment for combat operations. A new capability
for the ADF will be introduced with the acquisition of dedicated light
helicopters to support Special Forces operations. These light helicopters
can be rapidly deployed in C-17s, and can insert, extract and provide
fire support for small teams of Special Forces undertaking tasks ranging
from tactical observation through to counter-terrorism missions, or
hostage recovery.
SECTION TWO CAPABILITY
Key Enablers
4.61 Enabling capabilities include critical infrastructure (such as bases,
training ranges, ports and airfields), information and communications
technology, logistics, science and technology and health services.
These capabilities are fundamentally essential to the effective operation
of the ADF’s most potent and capable combat systems, including its
ships, aircraft, land forces and other systems.
4.62 Funding cuts in recent years have led to under-investment in the enablers
essential to building a joint and networked force. The Government’s
decisions in this Defence White Paper recognise the importance of
balanced investment in modern advanced technology warfighting
systems and the enablers needed to operate and sustain them.
Defence Bases
4.63 Reliable access to essential military bases, wharves, ports, airbases,
training ranges and fuel and explosive ordnance infrastructure underpins
the ADF’s ability to conduct and sustain operations in Australia and
into the region. Defence also requires secure facilities to support the
development of sensitive new technologies and capabilities, such as the
Woomera Prohibited Area, the largest weapons testing land range in the