Safety increase for Afghanistan diggers

Australian troops in Afghanistan will be armed with increased fire power and vital
rocket detecting technology as they wage an increasingly bitter conflict against
Taliban insurgents.¶
The government is committing an extra $487.1 million for enhanced protection for the
1550 Australian soldiers, most operating in the dangerous Oruzgan province, during
2010/11.¶
That includes improved technology to clear roads of dangerous improvised explosive
devices, better armour and increased firepower for Bushmaster vehicles, improved
body armour for soldiers, new night vision equipment, additional explosives
detection dogs and better intelligence, sensor and reconnaissance capabilities.¶
The key measure is a new radar system called C-RAM to detect rockets, artillery and
mortar rounds fired at the Australian base at Tarin Kowt.¶
Defence department chief finance officer Ian Prior said this was all in response to
calls from troops on the ground in Afghanistan.¶
"There is quite a suite of things the troops said that they needed," he said.¶
The government is providing an overall defence budget of $25.7 billion with $1.1
billion to meet the cost of operations in Afghanistan, the Middle East, East Timor
and the Solomon Islands.¶
Defence Minister John Faulkner said improved security in East Timor meant more and
more reservists could be deployed there, as was already the case with the Solomons
mission.¶
This year's defence budget includes three per cent real growth but in line with past
years, the government has moved to reprogram some spending, returning a modest $4
million this year and greater sums in the next two years, but subtracting a whopping
$657 million in 2013/14. That's mostly returned in 2016/17.¶
Senator Faulkner said the Strategic Reform Program would deliver more than $1
million in savings which would be reinvested in defence capability.¶
"This will give Australia a stronger, more agile and harder hitting defence force,"
he said. "This builds on the cost reduction of $797 million defence will achieve in
2009/10."¶
Following a thwarted terror attack on Holsworthy army base, defence conducted a
review of security with defence now allocating $329 million for base security
enhancements out to 2013/14. That features a range of measures including more
rigorous entry checks and contingency plans in event of attack.¶
Senator Faulkner said defence was doing very well at attracting and retaining
personnel, achieving 94 per cent of the permanent force recruiting target. The
defence budget features $6.3 billion for personnel costs.¶
The budget also features $1.7 billion to upgrade, maintain and construct new
facilities. Queensland is the big winner with $601 million to be spent on a variety
of projects.