Improving defence capability and promoting stability

Capability building to support future force structure

The Government is continuing to upgrade Australian Defence Force (ADF) capabilities to ensure Australia remains well‑equipped to meet our military commitments. This includes:

• investing $177 million in a Bay Class amphibious ship, Largs Bay, to significantly enhance the ADF's capacity to provide operational and humanitarian support in our region.
• acquiring a new C‑17 Globemaster aircraft at a cost of $252 million to strengthen Australia's military long‑range heavy airlift capability, including to support Australian forces in Afghanistan.

International security efforts

The 2011‑12 Budget is providing $1.5 billion to support our troops in their stabilisation and capacity building efforts overseas. This includes:

• contributing to international efforts to deny terrorists a safe haven and training ground in Afghanistan.
• supporting regional security through our operations in East Timor and the Solomon Islands.

The Government is also continuing to commit Australian Federal Police in capacity building roles as part of the United Nations Mission in Sudan.

This Budget is also establishing an Australian Civilian Corps Rapid

Deployment Fund with funding of $32 million to support the quick deployment of civilian specialists as part of Australian responses to post conflict and post disaster efforts.

Ongoing Defence reform

As part of ongoing reforms, $1.2 billion in new Defence efficiencies have been found. These savings will add to those already identified under the existing Defence Strategic Reform Program.

The Defence capital budget will also be reprogrammed to match funding with the development of capability projects. These decisions will not adversely affect the future force structure set out in the 2009 Defence White Paper.