ADF Combined Arms Battlegroup

The following selection of vehicles is intended to demonstrate the fighting force component of a 1st Division Combined Arms Battlegroup. It is intended that multiple battlegroups almost always act together on campaign. There are two variations. The first is focused on a tracked force while the second is focused on a rapid response wheeled force. Both elements are set up to fight in defense of the Australian mainland but can be deployed overseas. All vehicles should be APS equipped. Note: Many of the images used below are stand ins for actual equipment that is yet to be produced.

Heavy Tracked Force

(6) Jaguar EBRC Armoured Recon Vehicles (with drone launcher)/105mm Fire Support variants *

(5) M113 Unmanned Combat Vehicles as lead vehicle mine detectors, enemy detection units, and combat (Gun/ATGW) platforms

(5+) M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks (current equipment) *

(12-20) KF41 Linx IFVs *

(4+) KF41 Linx/BIHO Short Range Anti Aircraft/Drone Artillery (guns/missiles)

(1+) KF41 Linx/CV90 NASAMS Medium Range Anti Aircraft/Drone Artillery

(4) KF41 Linx 120mm Mortar units

(6) AS9 Huntsman 155mm Artillery

(5) CV90 IFVs acting as tracked recon and artillery security vehicles 

(4) CV90 Drone Carriers with UAVs and killer UAVs *

(1) CV90 Electronic Warfare vehicle

* Note: Vehicles with the asterisk are to be equipped with a 'miniaturized' future Radar/IR sensing anti-air RWS that uses either a 12.7mm or 20mm gun for use against drones. Turrets on the IFVs are to be large enough to accommodate this RWS system.


Rapid Reaction Wheeled Force

(6) Jaguar EBRC Armoured Recon Vehicles (with drone launcher)/105mm Fire Support variants *

(5) Wheeled Unmanned Ground Vehicles as lead vehicle mine detectors, enemy detection units, and combat (Gun/ATGW) platforms: either modified ASLAVs or a new vehicle.

(6) Boxer Fire Support 105mm/120mm

(12-20) Boxer IFVs *

(4+) Boxer BIHO Short Range Anti Aircraft/Drone Artillery (Guns/Missiles)

(1+) Bushmaster NASAMS Medium Range Anti Aircraft/Drone Artillery

(4) Boxer 120mm Mortar units

(6) G6 Rhino 155mm Artillery

(3) CAESAR 155mm Artillery

(5) Hawkei 30mm/ATGW PMV acting as artillery security vehicles

(4) Bushmaster Drone Carriers with UAVs and killer UAVs *

(1) Bushmaster Electronic Warfare vehicle

* Note: Vehicles with the asterisk are to be equipped with a 'miniaturized' future Radar/IR sensing anti-air RWS that uses either a 12.7mm or 20mm gun for use against drones. Turrets on the IFVs are to be large enough to accommodate this RWS system. 


Support equipment:

HIMARS Rocket Artillery (future)

Huntsman/Rhino/CAESAR 155mm Artillery Systems
EVO105 Artillery
MEADS Anti Air System

Addendum:

To streamline the logistics footprint another option, that diverts from current mix and match selection, is to produce, or buy, exclusively Korean tracked vehicles, and for the wheeled equipment, opt for French designed vehicles. However, it may be better to only streamline the tracked force in this way rather than the wheeled force that might do better to retain the Boxer IFVs. In that situation you would have a Tracked Force of:

K2 Black Panther MBTs
AS21 Redback IFVs filling all roles, with BIHO variants, 120mm mortar, EW, Drone carriers, and as the reserve force equipment (and no CV90s)
AS9 Huntsman 155mm Artillery
... with M113 Unmanned Ground Vehicles using the existing logistical train the keep them functioning.

The Wheeled Force would comprise:

Jaguar EBRC Armoured Recon
VBCI II or Boxer IFVs with BIHO variants, 120mm mortar, 105/120mm fire support 
VBMR Griffon APCs with EW and Drone carriers
VBMR-L Serval APCs
CAESAR 155mm Artillery 
G6 Rhino 155mm Artillery (South African)

... with Bushmasters and Hawkei PMVs retained in 1st Division and for reserve forces, supported by EVO105 Artillery

For related information on this alternative equipment selection see:

KEY CAPABILITY OBJECTIVES AND MISSION STATEMENT FOR THE AUSTRALIAN DEFENCE FORCE - 2022 Defence Strategic Review Submission