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http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200512/s1531994.htm
BATTALION RESTRUCTURE
A leading think-tank for Australian Defence Force (ADF) issues says Australia will be able to make larger overseas deployments through a plan to set up a second mechanised battalion.
Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill have launched two reports on the future of Australia's security and the Army.
The Federal Government will spend $1.5 billion over the next decade to increase armaments and restructure the Army to carry out larger operations.
The modified Army structure will aim to produce a more mobile force with greater firepower that is able to stay longer in lethal situations.
The Federal Government says the second mechanised battalion will be operating by 2011.
It will be formed by moving moving the third battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, from Sydney to Adelaide and reforming 1,200 people from the parachute battalion.
MORE RECRUITING
Senator Hill says the ADF plan requires the recruitment of 1,500 new soldiers.
He says Reserves will be retrained to be effectively part of the front line.
Mr James says the recruitment target will be a challenge.
"We've got reasonably full-on employment and a reasonably buoyant economy and there's less young people around and the Defence Force is disproportionately made up of young people," he said.
"In a competitive economic environment, it's harder for the Defence Force to recruit, particularly when their conditions of service and salaries tend to lag behind community norms."
These are good signs for the Army. Things are on the up for the Australian army, with the AW destroyers, the new Abrams, the ARH Tigers etc etc etc we are rapidly becoming a better army, hopefully it will encourage more recruiting and a bigger budget slice.
BATTALION RESTRUCTURE
A leading think-tank for Australian Defence Force (ADF) issues says Australia will be able to make larger overseas deployments through a plan to set up a second mechanised battalion.
Prime Minister John Howard and Defence Minister Senator Robert Hill have launched two reports on the future of Australia's security and the Army.
The Federal Government will spend $1.5 billion over the next decade to increase armaments and restructure the Army to carry out larger operations.
The modified Army structure will aim to produce a more mobile force with greater firepower that is able to stay longer in lethal situations.
The Federal Government says the second mechanised battalion will be operating by 2011.
It will be formed by moving moving the third battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment, from Sydney to Adelaide and reforming 1,200 people from the parachute battalion.
MORE RECRUITING
Senator Hill says the ADF plan requires the recruitment of 1,500 new soldiers.
He says Reserves will be retrained to be effectively part of the front line.
Mr James says the recruitment target will be a challenge.
"We've got reasonably full-on employment and a reasonably buoyant economy and there's less young people around and the Defence Force is disproportionately made up of young people," he said.
"In a competitive economic environment, it's harder for the Defence Force to recruit, particularly when their conditions of service and salaries tend to lag behind community norms."
These are good signs for the Army. Things are on the up for the Australian army, with the AW destroyers, the new Abrams, the ARH Tigers etc etc etc we are rapidly becoming a better army, hopefully it will encourage more recruiting and a bigger budget slice.