K9 from Korea proposed for AS-9 Land 17 project (photo : Raytheon)
The largest
single project to be cancelled in the budget – as opposed to deferred – were
Self-Propelled Howitzers (SPH) at a stated saving of $225 million. APDR has
been tracking this acquisition, designated LAND 17 Phase 1C, for years and has
smelt a rat for a long time. It has been clear that since at least 2008 that
Army and sections of the Defence bureaucracy did not like the outcome of their
competitive tender process and did everything in their power to avoid signing a
contract with the preferred bidder.
Even in
defending the announcement on Sky News, Stephen Smith continued a long
tradition of disinformation – some would say lies – about this matter. The
Minister explained:
“There were
issues with the self-propelled howitzer, including the type of ammunition that
we could use, but also it's 80 tonnes and it can't be moved other than by its
own propulsion.”
The first
and most absurd howler in this statement is the weight claim. The preferred
vehicle – the Raytheon Australia / Samsung Techwin AS/9 – comes in at just
under 50 tonnes. It is lighter than an M1A1 Main Battle Tank – of which
Australia has 59 – and can be moved by low loader, C-17 transport aircraft and
anything else that can shift an MBT. The Minister has either made up this
nonsense or he is simply parroting demonstrable rubbish produced by the
Department.
The second
matter he alludes to is ammunition compatibility. This seems to refer to a
Departmental internal study that has breathlessly concluded that ammunition for
an existing 39 calibre howitzer will not deliver adequate range when fired from
the AS/9. That is hardly a surprise because the AS/9 uses a longer 52 calibre
barrel and simply requires the ammunition to match. Again, either the Minister
or the Department seems to operate in isolation from inconvenient things called
facts.
In evidence
given to Senate Estimates, Chief of Army LT GEN David Morrison agreed with the
statement that the SPHs had been dropped because of financial cutbacks, saying
on May 29:
“I do not
believe that there is any need to prevaricate in answering. The simple answer
is yes.”
K-9 and K-10 (photo : Defense Industry Daily)
The General
then went on to explain that there were acceptable substitutes in the form of
the M-777 towed howitzer, currently being acquired from the US under a Foreign
Military Sales contract. The General alluded to changed circumstances but did
not explain in detail what they were. The true story is far murkier and does no
credit to Defence.
It is very
difficult to see what has changed since the process to acquire SPHs started in
2006 when this capability was deemed to be a vital element of the new doctrine
of Hardening and Networking the Army. What did change was Army’s thinking that
they wanted a tracked system rather than a wheeled solution, which had been
their original preference. After seeing a tracked, armoured Dutch PzH2000 based
at Tarin Kowt lobbying shells into the distance, the powers that be decided
they wanted one of those. Accordingly, the tender process was “tweaked” to
exclude anything other than tracked solutions.
But then
things went adrift. As APDR has amply reported on previous occasions, it seemed
that only the PzH 2000 would do. Once it became clear that the AS/9 was the
only product meeting Army’s own requirements, Defence slowed down the
acquisition to an extent that would have been comical if the matter was not so
serious. Process was added on to process, delay followed delay – all while the
Department continued to assert that everything was above board and in
accordance with Defence Capability Plan schedules. Defence itself has spent $11
million on this wasted process.
Rather like
a spoilt child in a toyshop, Defence only wanted one brand of ray gun or
tricycle and obstinately refused to accept any substitute. An AS/9 was brought
to Australia for firing trials at Port Wakefield, but to no avail. Local SMEs
contributed world-leading track technology and add-on armour. Prime contractor
Raytheon Australia demonstrated end-to-end functionality of firing the
Excalibur 155mm precision-guided round, produced by the company’s US parent.
None of
these things made the slightest bit of difference to the eventual outcome.
Defence has been prepared to drag out the process until eternity – waiting
until finally circumstances have enabled them to recommend to an obliging and
compliant Minister that he terminate the acquisition – to the eternal shame of
all those involved.
(ADPR)
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar