Questions on Australia

[Falkirion]

Shame that Sonny never heard of a satellite phone. You'll need one down here if you want constant coverage. 2/3rds of Aus is a desert after all.

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by Falkirion

Shame that Sonny never heard of a satellite phone. You'll need one down here if you want constant coverage. 2/3rds of Aus is a desert after all.

Even if your in normal phone range here in Australia it doesn't always help. There is an inquest into the the death of a kid backpacking in the bush, who got lost and died, despite calls to the emergency services.

[d@rk51d3]

Sonny didn't need a Sat-phone............... he had a gumleaf.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by d@rk51d3

Sonny didn't need a Sat-phone............... he had a gumleaf.

....and a camera crew in close proximity

[d@rk51d3]

You mean it wasn't real?

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by d@rk51d3

You mean it wasn't real?

The roo was! IT made a great meal after the show wrapped!

[JALU3]

For all you policy wonks out there Australian MoD has released a white paper as to the evolution of its defense capabilities, and planned purchases. And since we all know that we came here because we like submarines, the white paper talks about a submarine centric navy. I know this sounds hard to believe with it having difficulty maning its present vessels now, but ... well everyone take a gander.

defenseindustrydaily

Most significant announcement: Proposed 12 Air-Independent Propulsion diesel-electric submarines, with the ability to launch land attack cruise missiles, as the future Navy’s key platform.

12 non-nuclear Air-Independent Propulsion submarines, capable of launching land attack cruise missiles, to be assembled in South Australia. Design to be determined. ASC is not guaranteed the contract, however, something Fitzgibbon had pledged during the election. The subs could be upgraded versions of the existing Collins Class, or a foreign partnership around a sub like Spain’s S-80, which will already be designed to launch Tomahawk missiles.

A program is underway to fix Collins Class submarine staffing levels, which currently hover around 37%. The class will receive sonar and other upgrades during their lifetime.

Also, so much for pushing for a export variant of the F-22.

[Jimbuna]

I think the only way they'll address their staffing levels is if they go for this design

[bookworm_020]

You think you would get more for a couple of billion!

[baggygreen]

F22s - we have been soundly knocked back on them by the US, and basically told 'don't bother asking again'.

Interesting to note, a draft of the white paper was given to the Chinese before it was given to our own opposition party.

As for numbers, well, there will always be problems there unless this economic problem continues for another few years or more.

[TarJak]

Even in the depths of recession with unemployment running at all time highs, and we had 8 Oberon class boats we still struggled to get enough crew to keep more than a few operational. I'm buggered if I can see how they'll crew 12 of these things without massive incentives. Thinking about timing by the time we get delivery of these we'll probably be well out of the woods of this recession and into the next or maybe the one after that

[JALU3]

just out of curiosity what is the opinion of the australian people and military service? Is it held, overall, in a negative or a positive light? Is it seen as a positive employment choice, or seen as for only those who cannot get anything else? Is lip service played to the servicemembers, as is done in some circles here in the US, then snicked or talked down upon when not in front of the bright lights, more common or less common?

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by JALU3

just out of curiosity what is the opinion of the australian people and military service? Is it held, overall, in a negative or a positive light? Is it seen as a positive employment choice, or seen as for only those who cannot get anything else? Is lip service played to the servicemembers, as is done in some circles here in the US, then snicked or talked down upon when not in front of the bright lights, more common or less common?

It's held in a reasonably positive light, but the defense fores are a little behind the times coming to recruiting and keeping people. They still see it as people staying in for 20 years plus, not short to medium term.

There is a particular shortfall in the reserves, worse than the full time service. I guess it isn't seen as an attractive option compared to other offers out there.

[rubenandthejets]

The Ready Reserve scheme was a great idea, it just wasn't sold very well.

Unfortuntely most of the people who seem to go in for reserves are country lads down in the big smoke going to uni, so it's not a very diverse group of people, and that recruitment base is shrinking every year. No yeoman class anymore, same fate as Ancient Rome.....

After a couple of my mates were shortlisted for East Timor the reality of it all sank in and they got out ASAP. On the other end of the scale there are the SAS and DAMN they are hardcore, born to fight and winning Victoria Crosses in Afganistan....

We appreciate the services and the armed forces in general,(record turnout for ANZAC Day for example) but many Australains disagree with the deployment of troops where ever and whenever a certain major power snaps its fingers.

"HOW HIGH SIR?" is the usual response.

[bookworm_020]

Originally Posted by rubenandthejets

We appreciate the services and the armed forces in general,(record turnout for ANZAC Day for example) but many Australains disagree with the deployment of troops where ever and whenever a certain major power snaps its fingers.

"HOW HIGH SIR?" is the usual response.

It's more seen as getting into fights that we don't need to be involved in. The Australian military is heavily involved in the Asia-Pacific area, and it's already stretched doing that.