ADF Army Vehicles (Armour, Artillery and Support)

Army equipment comprises current and future vehicle acquisitions for 1st (Frontline), 2nd (Reserve) and 3rd (Irregular) Divisions of the Australian Army. Only core warfighting equipment is covered. All vehicles must incorporate high magnification day/night optical sighting equipment with IR capability. Armoured vehicles must be equipped with Active Protection Systems, ERA for the heavier platforms, and guns of 105mm-120mm will have missile firing capability. Note: The retention of heavy armour is necessary to provide additional firepower where required. Greatly increased numbers of anti-air (drone) systems, plus artillery and mortar equipped vehicles are 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 further details on the Australian Army plus the ADF Combined Arms Battlegroup page at this site. 

Frontline Equipment:

(120+) Leopard 2A7 or K2 Black Panther or future 130-140mm MBTs. 

(480+) Lynx KF41s in support of Main Battle Tanks with twin ATGW pods for use in anti-tank, anti-IFV, and infantry carrier roles. Additional numbers of KF41s with 105mm/120mm turrets should be considered as fire support and anti-armour platforms, plus 120mm Mortar vehicles (at least 80 in number). Anti-air variants should also be developed using the K30 Biho system.

(650+) Boxer CRVs to act as the leading rapid reaction force vehicle, functioning as IFVs (fitted with twin ATGW launchers), 105mm/120mm turret Fire Support/Anti-Tank, 120mm Mortar (100+ vehicles), Anti-Air (K30 Biho), Command, plus Evac roles.

 

(180) Jaguar EBRC 6x6 reconnaissance vehicles will be introduced when they become available. More than sixty should be equipped with a 105mm gun. The current ASLAVs will be refurbished with upgraded optical sights and placed in storage or converted into UGVs.

(1100) Bushmaster PMVs - to be kept in their current role, with some being part of a rapid reaction force equipped with 12.7mm gun/40mm grenade remote weapon stations and ATGW variants. This rapid reaction force element, of more than 350 vehicles, should eventually be replaced with the Textron TAPV or VBMR Griffon. A number of these vehicles will form part of the NASAMS mobile air defense system with Hawkei LPMVs. Other variants will act as battlefield UAV support platforms to include recon drones and significant numbers of loitering munitions.

(1100) Hawkei LPMVs for scouting & light utility, upgraded with engine compartment protection against 7.62mm rounds, and featuring weapons options available to the VBL or L-ATV (with 30mm RWS). A number of these vehicles will form part of a NASAMS mobile air defense system with Bushmaster PMVs. 

(120) AS9 Huntsman Self Propelled 155mm/52 Calibre Artillery system with support vehicle based on the K9-K10 combination.

(220) G6 Rhino Self Propelled 155mm/52 Calibre Artillery introduced with a wheeled automatic resupply vehicle (such as the K9-K10 tracked artillery combination).

(120) CAESAR Self Propelled 155mm/52 Calibre Artillery - transportable via C-130 with a potentially modified mine resistant truck component.

(180+) EVO 105 Truck Mounted Howitzer - 105mm mobile artillery.

(44) M777 Ultra lightweight 155mm Towed Artillery

Unmanned Ground Vehicles:
Wheeled and tracked unmanned ground vehicles will be acquired for use in detecting enemy positions, in mine detection, and to aid in urban combat.

(200) M113AS4 UGVs - reequipped with a 30mm gun and ATGW system with IR and night vision systems.

(100+) Wheeled Autonomous Robotic Vehicles - to be used as convoy lead vehicles in the anti-mine role and as gun platforms using 12.7mm to 30mm weapons and ATGW. Stored ASLAVs may also be used in this role.

(50+) Uran-9 tracked UGVs - will be trailer mounted for transport and equipped with a 30-40mm gun and ATGW.

Reserve Force and Waterborne Vehicles:
Reserve Army units (2nd Division) are to be strengthened considerably from their present state with new and upgraded existing equipment. A dedicated amphibious commando force, well armed, will be established to add a level of flexibility in low threat regional operations. Additionally, a mobile irregular defence force element (3rd Division) is to be established using modified technical vehicles led by regular army Hawkei PMVs.

(350+) CV90 MkIV Infantry Fighting Vehicles - equipped with a 30/40mm gun, ATGW or 105mm gun. These vehicles will also be employed by 1st Division in a tracked recon role and to act as a security force for the artillery.  

(230+) M113AS4 Multi-role APCs - retained as infantry carriers with an increased number configured in the fire-support mortar role.

 

 

(5000+) Hilux Technical Vehicles - will be fitted with armoured windscreens and ballistic protection inserts around the cab and engine to protect against 7.62mm rounds. They will be armed with 12.7mm guns and ATGWs with (standard) high magnification sights, plus some vehicles will carry 81mm mortars.

(80) Arisgator M113s - fielding 12.7mm guns, 40mm grenade launchers, with mortar and ATGW variants.

 

 (60+) ACVs - armed with the same weapons as the Arisgators but with a 105mm gun variant.

Air Support:

(44) AH-64E - If possible block 2 compound Apaches will be acquired rather than conventional helos. These aircraft replace the current Tiger ARHs. 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. These aircraft will be replaced by the S-97 Raider compound helo.

(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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Note: The original ADF Army Vehicles post has been ARCHIVED at this Link.


For further information see: ADF Combined Arms Battlegroup