Townsville’s Armoured Brigade: Why Isn’t it Ready?

The 2024 National Defence Strategy (and the Defence Strategic Review before it) changed the ADF’s readiness from a joint force to an integrated force; and from a balanced force to a focused force. While the concept of integration can be readily grasped, that of ‘focus’ is less intuitive. The concept of balance was a spread of capabilities to fit a force for a range of different tasks, whereas the plan now is to focus on the nation’s most significant strategic risks.

The land force capability specified is one in which “a combined arms land system can secure and control strategic land positions”. This is a tough assignment by any measure, as varied as the nature of differing strategic land positions. It calls for the highest levels of capability, particularly mobility, fire support, and logistic backup.

The strategic planners made it clear what they wanted based in Townsville: “an armoured combined-arms brigade, able to meet the most demanding land challenges in our region”. Given the strategic focus, there is no need to ask if the ADF really needs an armoured brigade in Townsville. The only question is, how ready is it? It is likely that this will be put to the test during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 in July.

Surprisingly, 19 months after the government directed that an armoured brigade was to be established in Townsville … it’s still not complete. An armoured brigade comprises three units: a tank regiment; a cavalry regiment and a mechanised infantry regiment. Only the last, 3RAR, can be described as ‘ready’ (equipped with M113AS4s, awaiting arrival of its Redback infantry fighting vehicles). This seems particularly surprising, given that “Australia is facing its most challenging security environment since the Second World War”.

The reason behind this situation, is bizarre. The Chief of Army decided to strip 1st Armoured Regiment of its tanks and employ it on other duties (completely outside the role of the RAAC). This left 2nd Cavalry Regiment as the only armoured unit in Townsville; resulting in 3 Brigade having only two tank squadrons and two cavalry squadrons available to it, rather than three of each as normal. Another limitation is that the brigade can only deploy two, rather than three, battlegroup headquarters. The combat power of 3 Brigade is weakened considerably in these circumstances.

In order for it to be brought up to strength as an armoured brigade, 1st Armoured Regiment would have to be reformed as a combat unit in Townsville. Although this is something that has been strongly called for by veterans, there is no indication that it is likely to happen (at least not in the near term). The CA seems fixated in his desire to have 1st Armoured Regiment, after 75 years-service to the nation operating tanks, remain a non-combatant.

If the CA can do as he wishes in this way, contrary to strategic imperatives, it seems as if the whole strategic planning process was a waste of time (and money).

Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Cameron, MC, RAAC (Ret’d)

 

FILE PHOTO: An M1A2 Abrams Tank arrives at Lavarack Barracks, Townsville on 14 November 2024. Photo by Corporal Guy Sadler.

.

.


.


.