Cavalry to the fore!
A recent proposal for a revised role for cavalry, stated that: “The role of cavalry is to locate, dislocate and disrupt the enemy through the conduct of offensive, defensive and security actions; both mounted or dismounted.”
Given that a separate role was being proposed for Light Cavalry, one wonders to what extent crews would actually dismount from their Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles (CRVs) and for what purpose?
It might sometimes be necessary, of course, to observe enemy activity from a position forward of the vehicle, but how often is this likely? Should it warrant the idea that dismounted operations might be commonplace?
(Note: 25 Boxers have been delivered and Block 2 deliveries are taking place progressively.)
It’s also puzzling that there is no reference to gathering intelligence. The role states, correctly, that one of cavalry’s tasks is to locate the enemy. Surely, however, a separate task is to gain information about enemy activities, or the absence of them, in a particular area.
Sadly, the proposed Vision for the RAAC refers to the Corps as “The Royal Australian Armour Corps” … something that we really should get right!
Interestingly, roles for armour, cavalry and tanks are all specified. Given that armoured units are either tank or cavalry, why is it necessary to create a separate role for ‘armour’? Is this not confusing?
Continuing the cavalry theme, Commanding Officer 2nd Cavalry Regiment Lieutenant Colonel Josh Higgins recently commented that while the 2 Cav role of reconnaissance, security, scouting and guarding hadn’t changed, its light-armoured vehicles were now armed with drones.
“It’s another tool in our war chest with drones, which are now so pervasive in the modern operating environment it’s become an all-corps skill,” he said.
“In yesteryear, a 2 Cav surveillance troop used to be an ASLAV with a mast and camera. Today we have evolved it to be this – a vehicle and a combination of drones with different payloads.
“It’s part of the ongoing modernisation of cavalry, which has already led to changes across frontline Army units.”
One can’t help wondering how often an airborne drone might jeopardise a covert operation? Could this be the other side of the coin?
Surprisingly, Lieutenant Colonel Higgins spoke at length about cavalry, but failed to mention the ‘other half’ of his unit … his two tank squadrons!
Maybe they’ve been assigned elsewhere, to let cavalry get on with reconnaissance?
Then again, maybe the Chief of Army has decided (but not yet announced) to create separate battlegroup headquarters for 1st Armoured Regiment and 2 Cav Regt?
Let’s hope so!
Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Cameron, MC, RAAC (Ret’d)
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