Page 22 - Australian Defence Magazine April 2020

22 SEA POWER CONTEXT
APRIL 2020 | WWW.AUSTRALIANDEFENCE.COM.AU
It is not only the high-end surface combatant that will receive improved combat management system upgrades.
“The Government’s 2017 enterprise approach directed that other components of the surface fleet would also have the Saab Australia Combat System installed. This will en- able Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels, Supply Class Re- plenishment Ships, Canberra Class Amphibious vessels, and Romeo combat helicopters and unmanned
and motivated people in uniform – to maintain an effective force – has become a top priority for senior leadership. There has been a particularly strong focus on two of the fundamen- tal inputs to capability: Personnel and Organisation.
Leadership from the top has been felt at all levels of the organisation. Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Michael Noonan came to the job with a vision that extends far
systems to share their surveillance picture across the joint and allied forces over tac- tical data links. From a Navy perspective, this will be the realisation of the Fifth- Generation force, with many platforms, many sensors and many weapons combin- ing to form an integrated maritime fleet,” CDRE Mann said.
“KEEPING WELL TRAINED AND MOTIVATED PEOPLE IN UNIFORM – TO MAINTAIN AN EFFECTIVE FORCE – HAS BECOME A TOP PRIORITY FOR SENIOR LEADERSHIP.”
into the future and a clear understand- ing of what it will take to build a strong and resilient Navy. One example of this is Navy’s emphasis on its core values. These might seem anachronistic to young modern-day Australians, yet it continues to strike a chord with just the sort of people they wish to recruit. To quote their own value statement: “Hon- our is the fundamental value on which the Navy’s and each person’s reputa-
“This fleet integration aligns with Air
Force’s fifth-gen aspirations through cur-
rent data sharing capabilities and aligned future sensor and weapon procurements. The P-8A Poseidon, Triton and space capabilities, when integrated with the Navy’s Romeo combat helicopter and future UAVs, provide the joint force with extended surveillance and weapon coverage,” CDRE Mann concluded.
EMPHASISING NAVY’S CORE VALUES
Building a modern and progressive maritime force takes more than simply buying the latest ships and systems. Increasing sophistication is even more dependent upon highly trained and experienced crews to operate them. Keeping well trained
tion depends. To demonstrate honour demands honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty – and to consistently be- have in a way that is becoming and worthwhile.”
VADM Noonan has identified growth of Navy’s work- force as its highest priority. Plan Mercator 2036 is his stra- tegic guidance for the evolution of the RAN and transition to the Future Navy to 2036. Plan Pelorus 2022 (updated
ABOVE: Navy is also changing the way it trains to reflect its next generation platforms.
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