According to todays Australian (no link)the ADF have chosen the Abrams battle tank over the Brit Chieftan and the Kraut Tiger III. The Abrams, at 68 tonnes, has been criticised for being more tank than the ADF needs and difficult to transport aboard our existing navy ships. Lt Gen Leah earns my praise for this
Blackhawk Down
Eight survive chopper crash in Queensland. PILOT error is suspected as the cause of a Black Hawk helicopter crash which left six soldiers injured and the $25 million aircraft destroyed near Amberley RAAF base southwest of Brisbane yesterday. The army helicopter with eight on board was on a training exercise when it reportedly clipped trees
Defence Expenditure
‘Projects axed to fund spy planes’ is the spin at The Australian. Not hard to find a negative spin if you want but defence expenditure is a difficult game and like a battle plan must remain felxible when it comes in contact with the enemy (or reality). “The ground-based air defence system for the army
Clear Sailing
I’ve been to sea in yachts and ships of the ‘Grey Funnel Line’ (RAN) but I’ve never seen seas like this. Just goes to show it aint all beer and skittles. Photo courtesy of the Australian
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Indonesia’s confused
Under the banner ‘Downer grilled on missile plan’ Brisbanes Courier Mail reports INDONESIA’S top security minister has asked Australia to explain in writing its reasons for supporting US plans to build a long-range ballistic missile defence shield. Coordinating security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono met Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in Jakarta on Monday night. Mr Yudhoyono
Walter Mittys under seige
People fraudulently claiming to be a returned soldier, sailor or airman could face six months imprisonment under proposed laws passed through the House of Representatives today. Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence Mal Brough said anyone falsely claiming to be a returned service man or woman should face the force of the law. “It’s a
The Soldier of the Future
This from Defence Media Defence Minister Robert Hill today unveiled two innovative Defence industry proposals for equipment that will enhance the safety and fighting capability of the soldier of the future. The first is a miniature personal power generation system that can be used to power the combat systems used by soldiers on a modern
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Armistice Day
Today we remember the sacrifice of diggers from the Boxer Rebellion through to Afghanistan. We remember those who gave their lives for freedom and particularly the boys from Gallipoli, France and the Western Front. Michael Evans has a piece on Australian diggers, the new memorial in London to 100,000 plus Aussies who have died in
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Leader of NT Opposition Denis
Leader of NT Opposition Denis Burke gets offside with Gen Cosgrove by appearing to condone marijuana use in the military. Mr Burke had said recreational marijuana use by civilians had never bothered him. He had noticed while he was the leader of Second Cavalry Regiment that “there are many people that will not drink alcohol,
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Colonel Kelly
Most readers would be aware that I’m a retired Army officer and may be surprised when I say I agree with Carr in his criticism of ‘Colonel’ Kelly. When I first read of the ‘Colonel’ I was embarrased that a professional Officer would put aside his duty to be apolitical and publically critisize a politician.
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