호주 육군, 상륙/연안 작전으로 우선순위를 전환

[위종민]

호주 육군이 2023 국방 전략 검토(2023 Defence Strategic Review)를 발표했는데, 여기서 호주 육군이 북부의 육상 및 해상에서의 연안작전 및 장거리 타격능력을 제공해야 하며, 구체적으로 보병전투차량 및 자주포의 조달을 줄이고 HIMARS와 상륙함의 숫자를 늘리도록 권고했다고 합니다. 

이에 따라 지난 주 새로운 재배치안을 발표했는데 1여단은 경전투여단으로 편제돼 연안환경에서 신속/유연하게 배치되 지상배치 장거리 화력을 제공할 수 있게 할 예정입니다. 이 용도로 이미 호주가 주문한 HIMARS 외에 NSM으로 무장한 부시마스터(미해병대의 NMESIS와 유사한)인 스트라이크마스터와 HIMARS에서 발사되는 LRASM 등을 검토중입니다. 

7여단과 3여단은 차량화여단 및 기갑여단으로 편제될 예정이나, 1여단과 같이 연안 및 상륙작전이 주임무가 될 예정입니다. 상륙작전 지원을 위해 연안양륙군을 창설해 새로이 조달될 중형 및 대형 상륙정을 포함한 육군 소속 상륙정을 운영할 예정이라고 합니다. 

현재는 호주 왕립연대 2대대가 유일한 상륙작전 중심 부대입니다. 

https://news.usni.org/2023/10/02/australian-army-shifting-priorities-to-amphibious-littoral-operations

Australian Army Shifting Priorities to Amphibious, Littoral Operations

By: Aaron-Matthew Lariosa

October 2, 2023 1:03 PM

Australian Army soldiers from the 1st Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment during a combined amphibious assault exercise on Exercise Alon as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 in the Philippines on Aug. 25, 2023. Australian MoD Photo

The Australian Army is slated to shift its focus to the littorals after announcing last week several major changes, which include the redeploying a sizable portion of soldiers and equipment across the country and optimizing several brigades for littoral and amphibious missions.

“These changes will deliver world-class, relevant and credible combat capabilities that are focused and optimized for operating in the littoral environments of our region, on land, at sea and in the air,” said Acting Chief of Army Maj. Gen. Richard Vagg.

The Australian Department of Defence announced these changes in response to the 2023 Defence Strategic Review, which was written to address the changing strategic environment across the Indo-Pacific. The review found that the Australian Defence Force’s current structure and capabilities were “not fully fit” for addressing the nation’s security concerns.

The DSR recommended it to be “optimized for littoral operations in our northern land and maritime spaces and provide a long-range strike capability.” Aside from reducing the procurement of infantry fighting vehicles and self-propelled howitzers, some of the top recommendations for the Australian Army were to speed up the procurement and increase the quantity of HIMARS, land-based maritime Strike systems and amphibious vessels.

Last week’s announcement highlighted significant changes to the mission sets of the 1st, 7th and 3rd multirole combat brigades, which will become more specialized.

The 1st Brigade will be transformed into a light combat brigade, which will allow it to be “light, agile and quick to deploy in the littoral environment” and “support land-based long-range fires.” While Australia has ordered HIMARS, under LAND 4100 Phase 2 the Australian Army is looking to procure a land-based maritime strike capability. Contenders for the program include StrikeMaster, a Naval Strike Missile (NSM)–armed Bushmaster – similar in concept to the U.S. Marine Corps NMESIS – and long-range antiship missiles (LRASMs) surface launched from HIMARS.

An Australian Army M1A1 Abrams Main Battle Tank from the 2nd Cavalry Regiment during an amphibious assault exercise on Exercise Alon as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023 in the Philippines on Aug. 25, 2023. Australian MoD Photo

The 7th and 3rd will become motorized and armored combat brigades, respectively. However, like 1st Brigade, the two also will focus on littoral and amphibious operations. To address these littoral missions, brand-new littoral lift groups are also slated to be created and collocated with the brigades in their respective basing locations. Littoral lift groups will host Army Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels, including both landing craft medium and heavy, which will be procured in Phases 1 and 2 LAND 8710. In July during the 33rd Australia-U.S. Ministerial Consultations, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that the U.S. Army will begin deploying watercraft to Australia, describing the move as “critical” for logistical missions between the two countries.

At the moment, 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, is Australia’s premier and only amphibious-focused unit. With the changes announced last week, all three of the Australian Army’s active brigades will have either littoral or amphibious focuses.

“Our Army has always played a vital role in the defence of our nation and will continue to do so as it adapts to the challenges of our times,” Richard Marles, Australian Minister for Defence stated in a press release.

Last month, Australian troops deployed to the Philippines via HMAS Canberra for Exercise Alon, the first-ever bilateral amphibious exercise between the Philippines and Australia. The exercise culminated with an amphibious drill on Luzon, which saw Australian troops hit the beach with an M1A1 Abrams tank. Australian troops also deployed to Indonesia, where they participated in Super Garuda Shield 2023. This year’s U.S.-Indonesian–led military exercise involved almost 5,000 troops and observers from 19 different countries.

These changes come amid Canberra’s increased focus on defense and cooperation in the face of a changing security environment around Australia and across the Indo-Pacific, specifically regarding China and its actions in the region, with one 2022 incident involving a Chinese warship reportedly harassing a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon with a laser. One of Australia’s more well-known efforts in strengthening its deterrence is AUKUS – a trilateral pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, which aims to deliver nuclear submarines to the Royal Australian Navy by the 2030s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Army#Organisation

Australian Army - Wikipedia

[백선호]

중국이 솔로몬 제도에 군사 기지를 둘 경우에 가서 막기 위한 것이랍니다. 1차대전 때는 전쟁 시작하자마자 독일령 뉴기니를 점령했지요.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_occupation_of_German_New_Guinea

[백선호]

[위종민]

https://www.army-technology.com/news/australian-army-to-u-turn-on-multi-role-brigade-restructure/?cf-view

이전에 기계화 여단(1여단), 경보병 여단(3여단), 차량화 여단(7여단)으로 편성돼 있던 걸 개편해 비슷한 멀티롤 기동여단으로 바꾼 지 10년만에 되돌아가는 거라고 하네요.