image-1 = images/HMAS-Adelaide-waits-for-US-Marine-amphibious-assault-vehicles-to-embark-during-RIMPAC-18.jpg
title-1 =
description-1 = The Australian Amphibious Force (AAF) is a scalable joint force comprising personnel and equipment from the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army to form a task-organised landing force that can conduct specified exercises or operations. (Source Dept of Defence)
status-1 = 1
image-2 = images/RoS-Resolution-and-HMAS-Adelaide.jpg
title-2 =
description-2 = The AAF is commanded by the Commander Amphibious Task Force (CATF), in close co-operation with the Commander Landing Force (CLF), to provide a range of amphibious response options to operational crises and disasters.(Source Dept of Defence)
status-2 = 1
image-3 = images/AmphibiousOperations/Amphibious-Operations-16-dc.jpg
title-3 =
description-3 = Australia's two Canberra Class amphibious warfare ships (LHD), HMAS Canberra and HMAS Adelaide, serve as the backbone of Australia's amphibious warfare capability.
The LHD's flight deck is 202.3 metres long and 32 metres wide (4750m2), allowing the ship to operate a range of ADF rotary wing aircraft, including MRH-90 Taipan, CH-47 Chinook, Blackhawk, ARH Tiger and MH-60R Romeo.
(Source Dept of Defence)
status-3 = 1
image-4 = images/AmphibiousOperations/Amphibious-Operations-9-dc.jpg
title-4 =
description-4 = Weighing in at 27,000 tonnes - HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide are the largest vessels ever operated by the RAN and are capable of transporting 1,000 personnel by helicopter and water craft, along with all their weapons, ammunition, vehicles and stores.
(Source Dept of Defence)
status-4 = 1
image-5 = images/HMAS-Choules.jpg
title-5 =
description-5 = HMAS Choules - the former Royal Fleet Auxilliary Landing Ship Dock Largs Bay was acquired from the Royal Navy's Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 2011 for $100 million.
The ex-RFA Largs Bay was commissioned into the RAN as HMAS Choules and it entered service with the RAN in early 2012.
(Source Dept of Defence)
status-5 = 1
image-6 = images/HMAS-Choules-Vanuatu-Indo-Pacific-Endeavour-19.jpg
title-6 =
description-6 = HMAS Choules provides a military lift capability including the capacity to load and transport up to 32 Abrams tanks, or 150 light trucks. They can carry a normal load of 356 troops, or overloaded with 700. They are designed to operate over the horizon using helicopters and landing craft to get personnel and equipment ashore. (Source Dept of Defence)
status-6 = 1
image-7 = images/AmphibiousOperations/Amphibious-Operations-5-dc.jpg
title-7 =
description-7 = Typically travelling in a supporting task group made up of other Navy assets - including Anzac Class frigates, Hobart Class destroyers and Adelaide Class frigates.
Vessels like the Canberra Class are largely vulnerable, requiring extensive task group support.
(Source Dept of Defence)
status-7 = 1
image-8 = images/AmphibiousOperations/Amphibious-Operations-14-dc.jpg
title-8 =
description-8 = Townsville-based 2RAR is the basis of Australia's Amphibious Task Group and is designated as a amphibious light infantry battalion part of the 1st Division Amphibious Task Group (ATG).
(Source Dept of Defence)
status-8 = 1
image-9 = images/2nd-Battalion-soldiers.jpg
title-9 =
description-9 = 2RAR was formed originally as the 66th Battalion at the end of World War II on 16 October 1945 as a regular infantry force raised from volunteers from the 9th Division for service with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan.
In October 2001, 2RAR returned to East Timor as part of UNTAET, taking over from 4RAR and serving a relatively uneventful tour, handing over to 3RAR in April 2002. (Source Dept of Defence)
status-9 = 1
image-10 = images/2RAR-Amphibious-Landings.jpg
title-10 =
description-10 = Under a restructuring program known as Plan Beersheba announced in late 2011, 2RAR will form the core of the Army's amphibious force.
On 15 October 2017, 2RAR transferred from the 3rd Brigade to report directly to the headquarters of the 1st Division. The unit will remain based at Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, and become the division's specialist amphibious warfare unit. (Source Dept of Defence)
status-10 = 1
image-11 = images/AmphibiousOperations/Amphibious-Operations-13-dc.jpg
title-11 =
description-11 = 2RAR transitioned to a new structure in January 201,8 which comprises a Battalion Headquarters, a Security Company with four infantry platoons, a Support Company and an Administration Company.
The battalion is planned to generally deploy as the main element of the AAF's Pre-Landing Force (PLF). (Source Dept of Defence)
status-11 = 1
image-12 = images/AmphibiousOperations/Amphibious-Operations-11-dc.jpg
title-12 =
description-12 = It is planned that the 2RAR elements generally assigned to the PLF will be a command and control node, elements from the Reconnaissance and Sniper and Small Boat Platoons, two infantry platoons, a joint fires team and a signals detachment.
The PLF will also comprise Army geospacial and survey teams, electronic warfare teams, amphibious beach teams, Royal Australian Navy clearance divers and other specialist elements. (Source Dept of Defence)
status-12 = 1
image-13 = images/AmphibiousOperations/Amphibious-Operations-17-dc.jpg
title-13 =
description-13 = Other elements of the Army, including an infantry battalion, form the Amphibious Ready Group's ground combat element, and rotate through this role on an annual basis.
The battalion's main function will be to collect information for the commander of the ADF's Amphibious Task Group and other decision-makers. (Source Dept of Defence)
status-13 = 1
image-14 = images/AmphibiousOperations/Amphibious-Operations-7-dc.jpg
title-14 =
description-14 = It is to be responsible for reconnoitring and seizing beaches, helicopter landing zones and airfields for the AAF's main ground combat element.
Following the completion of amphibious operations, the battalion will either re-embark or remain ashore as a reconnaissance unit. In the latter role, it is to be capable of conducting reconnaissance patrols well behind enemy lines and providing information to other units. (Source Dept of Defence)
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Photo Essay: Australia’s growing amphibious capabilities
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Australia’s geo-strategic reality has seen the Australian Defence Force shift its focus towards developing a credible amphibious ‘joint force’ combining key platforms and traditional Australian strengths to develop a uniquely Australian response to the changing power dynamics of the Indo-Pacific.
Australia’s geo-strategic reality has seen the Australian Defence Force shift its focus towards developing a credible amphibious ‘joint force’ combining key platforms and traditional Australian strengths to develop a uniquely Australian response to the changing power dynamics of the Indo-Pacific.
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The nation's pursuit of a dedicated amphibious force as part of Plan Beersheba is a step in the right direction down a long-path towards developing a robust power projection force – combining key capability developments, platform acquisition and modernisation programs to enhance the power projection capabilities and full-spectrum response of both the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Navy.
Traditionally more cumbersome then deploying fleets of warships or forward deploying strategic fighter and bombing forces, which form the offensive tip of both power projection and strategic deterrence spears, ground-based quick reaction forces (QRF) serve a distinct role within the tactical and strategic calculations for policy makers and strategic leaders.
While the development and introduction of powerful defensive technologies, namely the introduction of advanced anti-access, area denial (A2/AD) systems like those introduced in the South China Sea by the People's Liberation Army and supporting branches, poses a threat to the use of ground-based power projection forces, force structure and doctrine is, like technology, in a state of constant evolution to overcome these tactical and strategic challenges.
Forming the core of Australia's future amphibious force, the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2RAR) will leverage the sealift and amphibious warfare capabilities of key Navy platforms including the Canberra Class amphibious warfare ships, HMA Ships Canberra and Adelaide, and HMAS Choules to provide Australian decision makers with a credible amphibious force.
Steve has an extensive career across government, defence industry and advocacy, having previously worked for cabinet ministers at both Federal and State levels.
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