Labor’s analysis of the latest Defence Budget papers reveals major declines in the availability of ships, helicopters and planes since the release of the 2016 Defence White Paper.
During this same period, sustainment costs have blown out by almost $5 billion.
Sustainment of our weapons systems has been a basket case for far too long.
As reported today, all of the Navy’s major combatant ships have been out of action for more than half of every year since 2016.
Defence’s poster child, the Joint Strike Fighter, continues to be a major concern, flying only 64 per cent of its planned hours.
This is our newest aircraft and therefore should be our most reliable, so it’s concerning that it is already significantly underperforming.
Our critical platforms continue to be out of action far more than Defence and the Morrison Government plan and budget for.
This underperformance predates the COVID-19 pandemic and has continued in the last year.
Some of the lack of availability and cost blowouts are undoubtedly related to the long list of new equipment that is delayed under this Government, forcing older weapon systems to run longer than planned.
However, just as concerning is the fact that some of the Australian Defence Force’s newest equipment is nowhere close to meeting the required availability.
How can Minister Dutton claim that he and the Government have our troops’ backs when they cannot even ensure that our planes, helicopters and ships are available to the level deemed necessary?
Minister Dutton must explain what steps he is taking to fix this situation, otherwise taxpayers’ money will continue to be wasted and the Australian Defence Force will suffer from a lack of availability of critical platforms.
|
Defence capability |
Cumulative hours (2016-2021) planned |
Cumulative hours (2016-2021) achieved |
Shortfall |
|
C-27J Spartan |
36,129 |
12,475 |
-65.5% |
|
ARH Tiger |
30,208 |
18,499 |
-38.8% |
|
AP-3C Orion |
20,123 |
13,418 |
-33.3% |
|
KA350 King Air |
46,299 |
31,600 |
-31.7% |
|
F-35A Lightning Joint Strike Fighter |
16,558 |
11,490 |
-30.6% |
|
MRH-90 Taipan |
42,840 |
30,510 |
-28.8% |
|
Hawk 127 |
36,500 |
26,759 |
-26.7% |
|
Amphibious and Afloat Support (Oil Tanker, Landing Ship Dock, and Canberra Class Landing Helicopter Docks) |
6,887 |
5,331 |
-22.6% |
|
Anzac frigates, air warfare destroyers, and Collins submarines |
17,563 |
15,635 |
-11% |