US Navy Destroyer Visit to Cape Town Curtailed: A Coronavirus Concern Impact

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03/17/2020

by Dean Wingrin

The US Navy’s Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Carney (DDG64) arrived in Cape Town for a planned port visit on Sunday 15 March, but all activities have been curtailed to minimize the spread of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus).

Planned as the US Naval Forces Africa’s effort to build global maritime partnerships with African nations in order to improve maritime safety and security in the region, its arrival was ahead of the ship’s participation in Exercise Obangame Express off Africa’s West coast later this week.

However, as a result of global efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19, Spokesperson for US Navy Sixth Fleet, Commander Kyle Raines, told defenceWeb that all public tours and crew outreach events that were previously planned for the port call had been cancelled.

“The health and safety of our crew and host nation is our top priority,” he explained. “No one on the ship has visited any high-risk areas or has shown any symptoms to indicate that they should be tested for COVID-19.

“Medical personnel aboard the ship are monitoring all crew members and visitors daily for any COVID-19 symptoms and are prepared to take appropriate actions as necessary.”

Before leaving port on Tuesday 17 March, the ship was still able to refuel and replenish ship stores. Whilst most planned activities whilst in port were halted, the crew did experience “the local culture in vicinity of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.” The ship also had the opportunity to host US Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, Lana Marks.

Whilst USS Carney was in port, the US military’s Africa Command (Africom) announced that Exercise Obangame Express 2020 had been cancelled in response to the global effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

Obangame Express is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, information-sharing practices, and tactical interdiction expertise to enhance the collective capabilities of participating nations to counter sea-based illicit activity.

With no further requirement to participate in Obangame Express, USS Carney will continue on its seventh patrol in the European and African theatre in support of US national security interests.

The USS Carney, operating in the US 5th Fleet Area of Operations, recently supported maritime security operations and ensured freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce while assigned to the USS Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group and the USS Bataan Amphibious Ready Group before conducting a port visit in Port Victoria, Seychelles.

Following Carney’s patrol, the ship will return to its homeport in Rota, Spain where it will make preparations to homeport shift back to Mayport, Florida later this year.

Published by defenceWeb on March 17, 2020.

 

 

Australia’s Medicine Supply Chain Is Vulnerable

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03/16/2020

By Air Vice-Marshal John Blackburn AO (Retd) & Anne Borzycki, IIER-A

In February 2020, the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported that Australia is dangerously dependent on imported medicine.

The report referenced by the AFR was published last month by the Institute for Integrated Economic Research – Australia(IIER-A).

The report highlighted that Australia imports over 90% of its’ medicines and is at the end of a very long global supply chain making the nation vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has acknowledged these supply chain risks and have noted that at times there may not be enough of a specific medicine in the Australian marketplace, leading to potential weaknesses in supply.

Australia is particularly vulnerable to medicine shortages arising from factors outside our control.

These factors can include manufacturing problems, political instability, pandemics, another global economic crisis and natural disasters.

The COVID-19 ‘pandemic’ has seen a significant increase in public discussion about supply chains and exposure to shortages of critical items because of long, complex and global supply chains.

The pandemic could significantly impact the global medicine supply chain given the global dependencies on China’s pharmaceutical industry. 

In February European Union health ministers raised concerns over the potential for drug shortages if the COVID-19 outbreak continued to keep China in a near lockdown.

Last week, concerns over supply chain shortages led the Indian government to place limits on the export of 26 pharmaceutical ingredients and the medicines and vitamins made from them.  India is one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of drugs, with the US and Europe heavily reliant on the supply.

A 2019 United States Congress Commission hearing regarding the US dependence on China for medicines highlighted that even the US, our largest individual source of imported medicines, does not have a robust understanding of its own supply chains.

The Commission concluded that an over reliance on foreign production for critical medication is a national security risk.

We would be foolhardy to think that our situation is any less risky.

The Australian national strategic stockpile of medicines and protective equipment has also been in the headlines.

The stockpile was established in 2002 as a part of the Government’s anti-terrorism strategy and is intended for use in public health emergencies such as pandemics and biological attacks.   Images of the health minister in a huge warehouse can be vaguely reassuring to a population fearing the virus.

However, the IIER-A report concluded that while the national stockpile will be essential to protect Australians during a national health emergency, it will do little to help on a day-by-day basis if supply chains break down, if national distribution networks falter, if pharmaceuticals are contaminated or if the local pharmacy or hospital run out of something.

Last week, Australia’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly said his department was “very actively looking, both internationally and locally” at sourcing key products, including drugs, protective masks and medical devices, in response to the disrupted supply of medicines and ingredients out of China.

Professor Kelly said that the two most crucial medicines the government would need to stockpile were antibiotics and antivirals.

This action does support the conclusion that the strategic stockpile is not adequate to address both a health and a supply chain crisis concurrently. 

Of particular concern is the just-in-time nature of Australia’s supply chains.

While just-in-time makes sound business sense, it makes Australians vulnerable to disruptions in the supply chain, be they inadvertent or deliberate.  The Sigma Healthcare boss, Mark Hooper, was reported in the AFR as saying that our three national wholesalers hold six weeks of products … If [the coronavirus] turns into a six-month exercise, then there are potential issues [with supply].”

So how do other countries address this issue?  

Finland, for example, mandates stockholding levels on pharmaceutical companies, importers and health care units.  Stockholdings vary from 3 to 10 months depending on the medicine; there are 1457 medicinal products in the list of mandatory reserve supplies that are visible to the public.  Companies are compensated yearly by the Finnish Government for the cost of maintaining these reserves.

Australians have no such visibility of the details of their national strategic stockpile nor of stock levels in our commercial supply chain. 

Photos of Health Minister Greg Hunt in a warehouse are not as reassuring as actual information.   While it is not practical for Australia to become fully self-reliant, the resilience that would be provided by an increased level of indigenous, or more appropriately called ‘sovereign’, capability needs to be determined.

Clearly Finland takes a much more comprehensive approach to mitigating its exposure to supply chain risk and vulnerability that we do in Australia.

We need to have a robust analysis of our medicine supply chains and the Government needs to address any shortfalls in our national resilience before another crisis occurs.  

Sadly, we may already be too late.

The featured photo shows Health Minister Greg Hunt touring one of the National Medical Stockpile warehouses in January.

 

SPMAGTF-CR

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U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC) 19.2, work together, in Kuwait.

The SPMAGTF-CR-CC is a multiple force provider designed to employ ground, logistics and air capabilities throughout the Central Command area of responsibility.

KUWAIT

02.07.2020

Video by Sgt. Robert Gavaldon

Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response – Central Command

Working Amphibiosity with Japan at Iron Fist

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03/15/2020

As the Japanese focus on strengthening the perimeter of their defenses of Japan, new systems are being procured and modifications to platforms being made.

The purchase of Ospreys and F-35s both As and Bs, along with the modification of Japanese helicopter landing ships are entailed as Japan looks to its enhanced island defense.

At Iron Fist, the Japanese and USMC have worked closely together in evolving the skill sets involved in amphibiosity.

In an article published on February 19, 2020 by Gidget Fuentes the working relationship between Japan and the USMC was highlighted:

This year’s Iron Fist exercise marked the first time this group of 310 Japanese soldiers – 3rd Company with 2nd Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment Landing Team – launched from a ship and landed ashore in a coordinated mission alongside Marines, who earlier had launched their AAVs from the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD-27).

“We wanted to pursue the concept with them of ‘separate but synchronized,’ so headquarters and staffs working together and synchronizing,” Capt. Coleman Fuquea, an artillery officer and exercise planner with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, told USNI News. “But on the tactical level, U.S. and our Japanese allies would fight in separate battle spaces.”

While a platoon of Marines and Japanese soldiers wouldn’t clear a building together, they would operate together with “separate objectives, separate battle spaces,” Fuquea said. Planners designed the scenarios with two main battle spaces – one Marine, one JGSDF – but with “a synchronized mission and synchronized staffs to facilitate that.”

The JGSDF light-infantry troops spent several weeks training with various I Marine Expeditionary Force units at Camp Pendleton’s ranges. Then they embarked their AAVs and trucks onto Portland and Pearl Harbor at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., and trained and rehearsed beach landings at the offshore training range on San Clemente Island before the Camp Pendleton beach landing….

The Japanese force wasn’t training to seize an island – Japan’s constitution prohibits offensive military operations – but rather is building and strengthening its capabilities for maritime security, including defending islands from an invading force. The scenario is a real and ongoing threat to Japan, an island-nation whose 3,000-plus islands include contested claims by China and other countries, including the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea.

Island defense is critically important, JGSDF officials said at the Jan. 21 opening ceremony, as activities along other fronts including North Korea and Russia threatens Japan’s security. Senior military leaders have been vocal, especially in recent years, over the seriousness of the threats that Japan faces, and particularly from China’s recent expansive operations across the region that have rattled its neighbors….

Like in prior years, San Diego-based Expeditionary Strike Group 3 is providing the logistical L-class ship lift for the soldiers, since no Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels have participated in Iron Fist, although several JMSDF officials observed the exercise.

“It would be great in the future if we could get a Japanese L-class ship here,” Fuquea said, adding “what we’d really like to see in the future is force-on-force training and have the U.S. and the Japanese more of a sparring-partner relationship. That allows unit leaders… to get a thinking adversary.”

Incorporating that into Iron Fist training in coming years as the Japan continues to build and strengthen its ARDB working with the U.S., he added, “I think it would have radical benefits to us both.”

For the complete article, see the following:

Iron Fist Teaching Japanese Amphib Force to Synch with U.S. Marines

 

 

 

From Marine to Artist and Poet: The Journey of the Life of Ted Pellegatta, Jr.

Posted on | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment on From Marine to Artist and Poet: The Journey of the Life of Ted Pellegatta, Jr.
03/14/2020

By Ed Timperlake

In 1958 the Marines went ashore in Lebanon to save lives.

In backing up that Presidential mission a young Marine, Ted Pellegatta, was part of the security detachment for Admiral Holloway who served as the Commander-in-Chief Eastern Atlantic and Med Forces.

“Land the landing party” was ordered by President Eisenhower to bring some stability in the formerly peaceful nation of Lebanon.

Ike who retired as a five star General of the Army as President knew how to marshal the appropriate forces to bring regional stability.

The operation was called Blue Bat

President Eisenhower of the United States answered Camille’s request by forming Operation Blue Bat to intervene in the crisis.

The aim of the operation was to protect the regime against the Muslim rebellion and any intended threats from Lebanese rivals.

The strategy was to take charge of the Beirut International Airport, the port of Beirut and the areas surrounding the city.

Operation Blue Bat included about 14,000 men made up of 8,500 US Army forces and 5,670 US Marine Corps

Ted Pellegatta in leaving the Corps and becoming a civilian watched a generation of American wars that flowed through our history; Vietnam, Desert Storm, and US combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

All during that march of history, Pellegatta demonstrated and shaped his artistic photographic and poetic gifts in order to bring beauty and prophetic insights into the world.

He can be considered as “A warrior poet”

In his life’s journey, he has highlighted the beauty of Rappahannock County Virginia. It is a land of remarkable beauty on the eastern  side of the mountains known as “the sunny side”  of the Blue Ride.

He has produced two books of note which celebrate the beauty of the region.

The first is a collection of photographs reproduced in his book Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

The second is a recently published volume of poetry.

This book is entitled: Lyrics on a Page.

Ted Pellegatta, using his exceptional eye, has captured the beautiful visual images one of the most serene and scenic locales in America in his book, Virginia’s Blue Ridge.

From the introduction to his book, he highlights the focus of the book:

We Look but do not see

Here are a few glimpses

I would like to share with you.

His photographs have local captains like town roads, rivers and hollows: Woodville, Shade, Fodderstack Road, Jordon River, Jenkins Hollow, “Tally-Ho” (Hunt),  Sperryville, and several shots of  the most visual physical land mark “Old Rag” Mountain.

They are thoughtful insightful depictions of nature and of human endeavors: farms, cabins, cattle fences, and horse riders and hounds.

These images are symbolically connected to the dignity of being committed to the land.

The power of his work is lasting such that generations yet to come will have a pictorial legacy of what to always protect.

As inevitable development encroaches on the sunny side of  the Blue Ridge perhaps someone someday will use Ted’s images in Virginia’s Blue Ridge and say please pause to  think a little and do not destroy such beauty.

The young Marine who very early made a commitment to stand for something greater then himself in his most recent work is also a talented poet and song writer.

As mentioned above, his book of poetry Lyrics On A Page has just been published and some of the poems will be set to music.

One example of his poem being set to music is a profound almost Shelly’s “Ozymandias” warning set to his  voice and poetry:

“Place to Be Rappahannock”

“Old Rag Mountain

“Here a Billion years hike to the top look around

“See what’s here

Before it’s gone”

America is blessed to have such people like Lance Corporal Pellegatta USMC 0311 (rifleman) who made his life’s journey from being part of a Presidential mission bringing peace and stability to the Middle East to sitting at the Headmasters Pub in the town of Sperryville, Virginia holding court on the pure joy of life.

 

 

 

 

Visiting HMAS Rankin: The Collins Class Shapes a Way Ahead for the Next Generation Australian Submarine

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By Robbin Laird

On March 12, 2020 I had a chance to visit HMAS Sterling and to visit the HMAS Rankin, one of the Collins class submarines homeported at HMAS Sterling on Garden Island. When I informed a senior U.S. Navy Admiral that I was going to visit the Royal Australian Navy at Garden Island, he wrote:

“Awesome, say hello to the fellas down south, incredible team!   And absolutely critical in/out of a fight.”

That kind of joint respect can be found throughout the submarine community which the US Navy has with the Aussies, the Brits, the French and the Japanese navies. In fact, cross learning among the key navies is a key path to driving innovation as new threats are faced and new technologies provide opportunities for significant innovation.

I was privileged to have as the host one of Australia’s most experienced submariners and the CO of HMAS Rankin, CDR Robin Dainty. And that kind of mutual respect and cross learning was highlighted throughout our time together.

We discussed a wide range of issues, but I am going to focus on a core one facing the transition in the Australian submarine force: how will the “living” and “evolving” legacy of the Collins class shape the new attack submarine coming a decade out into the Royal Australian Navy?

It is important to realize that the demand side and the concepts of operations side of innovation affecting the naval forces will be very significant in the decade ahead. This will be a very innovative decade, one which I have characterized as building the distributed integrated force or the integrated distributed force.

What this means for the submarine side of the house and for ASW is working new ways to cooperate both within national navies and across the air-naval-land enterprise of the allied forces. The decade will see new ways to link up distributed assets to deliver appropriate effects at the point of interest in a crisis.  It will involve working new weapon and targeting solution sets; it will see an expansion of the multi-mission responsibilities for platforms working in the distributed force.

And the Collins class will be participating in this path of innovation and lessons learned as well as technologies evolved both on the ship or the extended battlespace enabling the evolution of an integrated distributed force.

I asked CDR Dainty how he looked at this period ahead and he highlighted the importance of the innovation which Collins was going through for shaping the capabilities which the new class of submarines would be expected to continue and to extend.

He noted throughout the tour, how technology had evolved onboard the Collins class and his expectation that a considerable amount of the ship’s digital and electronic infrastructure would be refreshed on the new build submarine, but that the core competencies being demonstrated in the evolution of Collins would remain central to the new build submarine.

The evolution between platforms and systems can clearly be seen onboard Collins. The Collins which was originally procured is vastly different from the Collins class today.

A key part of this is the Australian submarine sharing common combat systems with the US Navy, and having state of the art sonar systems onboard and demonstrated skill sets by the crew in key naval combat areas.

Because the US Navy is a nuclear navy, the diesel class submarines like Collins have very complimentary capabilities to those of the US Navy. A diesel submarine like Collins can maneuver rapidly in ways a nuclear attack submarine will not. It can operate in littorals in ways a nuclear attack submarine will not.

And of course, the nuclear attack submarine’s concepts of operations being quite different from that of a diesel submarine provides complimentary capabilities to those of a diesel fleet as well.

These complimentary skills will be enhanced as the evolution of the combat systems, notably the communications capabilities, evolve and allow for greater transparency for air and sea assets to work together in distributed operations.

The collaboration with the U.S. in weapons is another key aspect of cross-learning as well. The rapid evolution of the strike weapons and the evolving capabilities to support special forces or to envisage the coming of TLAMS to the Australian navy is part of the innovation which can be anticipated in the decade ahead.

CDR Dainty highlighted throughout our discussion a wide variety of ways innovation was ongoing with regard to the Collins class and how important he saw this innovation as shaping the way ahead for the new build submarine.

The Collins class may become a legacy class with the introduction of the new build submarine; but its legacy will be a living one as the concepts of operations, the collaborative skill sets, and the combat innovations of the decade ahead shape the legacy going forward.

In effect, as the shaping and evolution of the distributed integrated force matures, the concept of a submarine wolfpack will emerge but very differently from the World War II concept. That wolfpack will include a variety of task force assets being directed at the point of concern the crisis management or combat area. And will include not simply maritime assets, but air and land assets, such as ADA as well.

The integrated distributed force is being driven initialty with a reshaping the wolfpack for the air combat force driven by fifth generation aircraft but over time will encompass the entire joint and coalition force.

CDR Robin Dainty

Robin Dainty was born in Grimsby, England in 1967. His father had previously served in the Royal Navy on Minesweepers and Submarines from 1953-1963 and it had always been Dainty’s intention to follow his father’s lead. Towards the end of his schooling, Dainty applied to join the RN as an Able Seaman.

He joined HMS RALEIGH, the recruit training school in June 1983 and whilst there applied for submarine training as a direct entry submariner. Having completed his submarine training the following year, his first posting was to HMS Hermes (Aircraft Carrier) which came as a shock to both he and his family.

Shortly afterwards he joined his first submarine, HMS Revenge (SSBN) and was awarded his Dolphins in November 1984. Promoted to Leading Seaman in 1987 and then Petty Officer in 1990, Dainty served in HMS Ocelot (SSK), HMS Torbay (SSN) and HMS Talent (SSN). Having been promoted to Chief Petty Officer in 1998 he was then selected for Commissioned Rank and joined Britannia Naval College in 1999.

Dainty returned to the submarine service after a short period in HMS Leeds Castle (FPV), enjoying periods in HMS Triumph (SSGN) and two tours in HMS Turbulent (SSGN), the first as the Navigating Officer and the second as the Operations Officer. These postings allowed him to witness the full range of submarine operations, including service during both Gulf War One and Gulf War Two.

He successfully completed Submarine Command Course (Perisher) in 2007 and then joined HMS Vengeance(SSBN) as the Executive Officer. He had the honour to Command Vengeance for a short period and Vengeance was to be his last appointment in the Royal Navy, joining the Royal Australian Navy in May 2011.

Initial service was in HMAS Dechaineux, followed by two years as the Executive Officer of HMAS Waller. He returned to HMAS Dechaineux in November 2014 as the Commanding Officer, departing her in January 2017 for an overseas posting at COMSUBPAC, Hawaii. Having returned to WA in February 2019, Dainty was selected to Command HMAS Collins.

Commander Dainty assumed command of HMAS Rankin in January 2020.

HMAS Rankin

Based at Fleet Base West in Western Australia, HMAS Rankin is the final of the six Collins class submarines to enter service in the Royal Australian Navy. These submarines are a formidable element in Australia’s defence capability.

Rankin was launched in Adelaide, South Australia by Lieutenant Commander Robert Rankin’s daughter, Ms Patricia Rankin (on behalf of her mother, Mrs Molly McLean) on 7 November 2001 and commissioned at Fleet Base West, Western Australia on 29 March 2003.

HMAS Rankin’s operational characteristics and range have been tailored specifically for its defence and two-ocean surveillance role in the Royal Australian Navy. Designed to be as quiet as advanced technology can achieve, Collins class submarines have been developed from five generations of submarines designed and built by the Swedish Navy.

One of the first submarines to be totally designed by computers, HMAS Rankin boasts a vast range of features. They include a high-performance hull form, highly automated controls, low indiscretion rates, high shock resistance, optimal noise suppression and an efficient weapons handling and discharge system.

The submarine moves silently on electric power supplied to the propulsion motor by banks of new technology lead-free batteries. The batteries are charged by three onboard diesel generator sets.

The sophisticated combat system gathers its intelligence from its sensors, computes the input and then launches and directs weapons.

Since commissioning, HMAS Rankin has successfully conducted a range of activities throughout the region in support of Australian Defence Force exercises, operations and the government’s strategic directives.

HMAS Rankin is named after Lieutenant Commander Robert William ‘Oscar’ Rankin, RAN who distinguished himself in action during World War II. He commanded the sloop HMAS Yarra (II) and was conducting convoy escort duties in the Northern Indian Ocean when attacked by a Japanese force in February 1942. Facing a far superior force of three heavy cruisers and two destroyers, Rankin gallantly positioned his ship between the Japanese and the scattering convoy vessels. Rankin fought his ship to the very last in an intense exchange. He was killed when an eight inch salvo hit the bridge shortly after passing the order to abandon ship.

HMAS Rankin’s motto “Defend The Weak” is testimony to Lieutenant Commander Rankin and Yarra’s determination to defend the unarmed convoy ships.

The featured photo: Submariners pass berthing lines as HMAS Rankin comes alongside Diamantina Pier, Fleet Base West, returning home after the submarine completed a nine month deployment.

HMAS_Rankin_datasheet

Also, see the following:

The USAF Thinks About the Wolfpack: The Renorming of Airpower

Commander Robin Dainty, Royal Australian Navy
HMAS Rankin at sea.
HMAS Rankin at the completion of the formation exercise in Cockburn Sound.
725 Squadron's MH-60R 'Romeo' helicopter conducts an Anti-Submarine exercise with HMAS Rankin in the Eastern Australian Exercise Area.
A 723 Squadron Bell 429 helicopter transferring personnel to HMAS Rankin in Jervis Bay.
A HMAS Stirling Port Services member assists in bringing HMAS Rankin alongside Diamantina Pier after being away on deployment for four months.

New Government: New Defense Industrial Review of the UK

Posted on | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment on New Government: New Defense Industrial Review of the UK

In a March 5, 2020 article published on the UK Ministry of Defence website, it was announced that “a review that will revitalize the UK’s defence and security industrial sectors and improve productivity has been launched.”

The review will identify how the government can take a more strategic approach to ensure competitive, innovative and world-class defence and security industries. It will also suggest how defence in particular might better drive investment and prosperity across the UK.

The Ministry of Defence will lead a cross-government team, engaging closely with industry, Parliament, and other stakeholders over the course of the review. The findings will feed into the broader Integrated review of foreign policy, defence, security and international development that the government is currently conducting.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said:

“Our relationship with industry is crucial to maintaining the UK’s position as a Tier 1 military power. The review will ensure we are in the best position to support industry whilst guaranteeing the most advanced, world-leading capabilities for our armed forces.”

Many of the UK’s defence and security companies are going from strength to strength, but there are a range of challenges for the future. The review will examine the way industry is being impacted by the pace of technological change, the need for innovation and partnership, and increased competition from abroad, alongside the difficulty of ensuring that we have the necessary skills. The review will then consider how these challenges are addressed and how the government can maximise potential opportunities.

The defence and security industry employs hundreds of thousands of people, including thousands of apprentices, across the UK. From building warships in Scotland and armoured vehicles in Wales, to manufacturing aircraft in England and satellites in Northern Ireland. The MOD invested £19.2-billion into industry, commerce and employment in the last year.

Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said:

“The UK defence and security industries play a crucial role in maintaining our global influence and relationships with allies, as well as supporting employment and economic growth across the country.

“The review will explore the role of the defence and security sectors in ensuring that we have the right capabilities for safeguarding our national security whilst driving prosperity and innovation across all parts of the United Kingdom.

“Our industries are also at the forefront of technology development in creating new ways to prevent and defend against terrorism and serious organised crime. On the international stage, UK defence and security companies play a crucial role in maintaining the UK’s global influence, underpinning our strategic partnerships with key allies.”

The analysis undertaken as part of the review will inform findings of the broader Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy which will be taking place in parallel.

This review will face a number of challenges, including Brexit and its impact on its relationships with European industries, notably for Thales, Airbus, Leonardo and MBDA.

And with non-European states, the relationships with Canada, Australia and the United States are crucial as well with key challenges facing those various partnerships as seen in the F-35, new frigate, loyal wingman and other key programs.

A recent piece published by RUSI by three former senior UK defense officials raised their concerns about the review.

Dominic Cummings, the Prime Minister’s Chief Special Adviser, is planning a full review of defence procurement. This is welcome if, unlike recent reviews, it is thorough and does not shirk politically embarrassing issues. Over 90 percent of defence programmes are brought in on time and budget, and many by excellent agile small and medium-sized enterprises, so Cummings – or more appropriately those who will execute the review – will need to focus on large, high-risk programmes.

Almost all major public sector procurement is bedevilled by cost escalation. Just look at the Hinkley Point nuclear reactor programme (up from an estimate of £16 to over £20 billion), Crossrail (up 1½ times to £18 billion) or the HS2 high speed railway project, which was initially estimated to cost £34 billion, but may yet end up costing £88 billion). Cost overruns, serious delay, poor delivery and lack of political consistency are not problems confined to the Ministry of Defence. So a thorough review could yield benefits right across government.

The principal procurement failings include over-specification, over-optimistic initial cost forecasting (which our bidding process encourages), poor contracting, political and ideological interference, inappropriate use of public–private partnerships, delay and change in specification, inadequate examination of through-life costs, lack of adequate programme control, and political reprogramming caused by budget cuts. All these lead to avoidable cost increases.  

In a recent letter to the Times, David Gould, a much respected senior civil servant, contrasted his experience in defence procurement in UK with his new employer in Australia: ‘Striving to execute UK strategic programmes without knowing how much money would be available in any year (sometimes monthly) [compared] with Australia where I was given clear and simple objectives by a Government willing consistently to fund them’.

For the complete RUSI article, see the following:

https://rusi.org/commentary/spotlight-britain’s-impending-defence-procurement-review

 

HMAS Toowoomba Operating in the Middle East

Posted on | by Robbin Laird | Leave a Comment on HMAS Toowoomba Operating in the Middle East

HMAS Toowoomba is currently providing support to the United States led International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) in the Middle East Region as part of the ship’s six month deployment on Operation MANITOU.

Toowoomba’s Ship’s Company of 190 will support both the IMSC and the Combined Maritime Force 150 as part of the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to support international efforts to promote security, stability and prosperity in the region.

This is the 68th rotation of a Royal Australian Navy unit in the Middle East Region since 1990 and is Toowoomba’s sixth deployment to the region and second as part of Operation MANITOU.

Credit: Australian Department of Defence

March 4, 2020.