2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

Capability priorities 107
4.92 The long distances over which the ADF is required to operate means
capable, flexible and high endurance air lift and sea lift capabilities to
lift, move, and sustain the ADF are an essential force element. The ADF
also needs to have the lift capacity to be highly mobile within any area
of operations.
4.93 The ADF’s air lift capability will comprise eight heavy lift C-17A
Globemasters with additional heavy lift aircraft to be acquired later,
12 upgraded C-130J Hercules, 10 C-27J Spartans, and 10 CH-47F
Chinook helicopters (involving the acquisition of an additional three
Chinooks in the near term) which will complement the Army’s MRH-90
battlefield lift capability. The future acquisition of two additional KC-30A
air-to-air refuellers, for a total of nine, will provide substantial additional
air lift support.
4.94 Currently, the ADF does not have a dedicated capability for combat
search and rescue, and has limited battlefield aero-medical evacuation
capabilities. The Government will acquire enhanced aero-medical
evacuation and search and rescue capabilities, commencing with
upgrades to Chinook helicopters to improve their ability to conduct
aero-medical evacuation. In the longer-term, the Government will
investigate options to enable the ADF to undertake combat search and
rescue tasks more speedily and at longer range.
SECTION TWO CAPABILITY
4.95 Sea lift capability will be strengthened by upgrading the logistics
support ship HMAS Choules, including improved command and
communications equipment and new self-defence systems for
protection against torpedoes, anti-ship missiles and fast attack craft.
HMAS Choules and the two Canberra Class amphibious ships will offer
flexible options to conduct sea lift and support amphibious operations.
We have also acquired a new large-hulled multi-purpose patrol vessel,
the Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Protector, in support of border
protection and resource security operations.
2016 DEFENCE WHITE PAPER