Army equipment comprises current and future vehicle acquisitions. Only core warfighting equipment is covered. All vehicles must incorporate high magnification day/night optical sighting equipment. Note: The retention of a heavy armour element is seen as necessary to provide additional firepower where required. Increased numbers of artillery and mortar equipped vehicles are also seen as an essential requirement. All new equipment types must be tested over a period of at least 18-24 months in select units before being accepted or rejected. See wikipedia for more basic details on the Australian Army.
Frontline Equipment:
(94+) M1A1(AIM) Abrams Main Battle Tanks or Leopard 2A7 or K2 Black Panthers.
(200+) K21 IFVs - in support of Main Battle Tanks (in anti-tank, anti-IFV, and infantry carrier roles). Additional numbers of K21s with 105mm/120mm turrets should be considered as (indirect and direct) fire support and anti-armour platforms. Puma IFVs and CV90 IFVs, equipped with ATGWs should also be considered and tested.
(350+) Patria AMVs - to act as the leading rapid reaction force vehicle, functioning as Armoured Scouts, IFVs (a number equipped with 40mm cannons and ATGWs), 105mm/120mm turret Fire Support/Anti-Tank, 120mm Mortar, AAA, Command, plus Evac roles.
(1000) Bushmaster PMVs - to be kept in their current role, with some being part of a rapid reaction force equipped with upgraded 12.7mm remote weapon stations and ATGW variants. This rapid reaction force element, of more than 350 vehicles, should eventually be replaced with the Textron TAPV.
(900+) Hawkei LPMVs for scouting & light utility, featuring weapons options available to the VBL.
(50+) CAESAR Self Propelled 155mm/52 Calibre Artillery - transportable via C-130 with a potentially modified mine resistant truck component.
(38) EVO 105 Truck Mounted Howitzer - 105mm mobile artillery.
(54) M777 Ultra lightweight 155mm Towed Artillery
(36) M198 155mm Towed Artillery (current reserve)
Reserve (and light reconnaissance):
This equipment is to be retained for recon, support and reserve forces, or placed in storage. Reserve Army units are to be strengthened considerably from their present state.
ASLAVs - with upgraded optical sights and some featuring ATGW systems. The ASLAVs should be replaced with the Jaguar EBRC 6x6 reconnaissance vehicle, which will be operated in a frontline capacity, when it becomes available.
M113AS4 Multi-role APCs - retained as infantry carriers with an increased number configured in the fire-support mortar role.
Air Support:
(30+) Tiger ARHs - increased from the present 22 helos. See here for more on the ARH.
(27) OH-58Ds (or F models) - An upgrade of the existing Kiowa fleet to also perform light attack duties. Some or all of these aircraft will be further upgraded with AVX coaxial rotors and thrust fans.
(20+) MQ-9 Reapers - UAV tactical recon and light attack squadron(s). The main Army entry recommends extensive use of varying types of UAVs, including small commercial drones, in order to improve situational awareness on the battlefield.
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