Labor has highlighted the Spartan’s inability to land on battlefields as an example of mismanagement of Defence projects by the previous Liberal Federal Government.
The Albanese Government said it found that at least 28 projects are behind schedule by a cumulative 97 years, while 18 were also over budget.
It claimed the blowout in costs reached $6.5 billion and pledged a raft of reforms to stop future complications.
Australia currently has 10 Spartans operated by No. 35 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley, which now focuses on peacetime operations such as search and rescue and aeromedical operations.
The RAAF initially bought the aircraft as a replacement for the Caribou, to fit in between the Chinook and larger Hercules and C-17 Globemaster.
Despite the first arriving in 2015, problems with its electronic self-protection system, designed to keep it safe under fire, mean it still has not achieved Final Operational Capability (FOC).
Air Vice-Marshal Catherine Roberts, who previously headed air force capability, said in 2019, “The C-27J program has been challenging and… there have been significant delays in terms of achieving the capability outcomes that were originally determined.”
However, she argued that the aircraft would still play a “significant role” in Australia’s defence capabilities.
Last year, Defence acquired four more Chinooks to bolster its capability in battlefields.
Other programs of concern listed by Labor included:
- $44 billion Hunter Class Frigate program — construction delayed by four years and expected cost is $15 billion higher than initially anticipated;
- $3.7 billion Offshore Patrol Vessel project — running one year behind schedule;
- $356 million Evolved Cape Class patrol boats — running nearly a year behind schedule;
- $970 million Battlefield Command System — three years behind schedule.
According to the Albanese government, these “significant and systemic issues” are the result of mismanagement from the former Morrison government.
“Money was being flushed down the toilet while the former government regaled in how much they were spending on defence,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles said.
“We face the most challenging strategic circumstances since the Second World War — this, along with the serious pressures facing the economy mean we need to be more responsible about how we manage critical projects, particularly as we reach record spending within Defence as a per cent of GDP.
“It’s not as though we can go onto the battlefield and overwhelm our adversary by waving a copy of the budget papers in their face.”
To address these issues, the government has pledged to:
- Establish an independent projects and portfolio management office within Defence;
- Require monthly reports on projects of concern and projects of interest to the Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Industry;
- Establish formal processes and “early warning” criteria for placing projects on the projects of concern and projects of interest lists;
- Foster a culture in Defence of raising attention to emerging problems and encouraging and enabling early response;
- Provide troubled projects with extra resources and skills; and
- Convene regular ministerial summits to discuss remediation plans.
Deputy Prime Minister Marles has also committed to “prudent management of the defence budget” to ensure timely delivery of key next-generation capability, including the nuclear-powered submarine fleet promised under AUKUS.
“In doing so, we are building a potent and capable Defence Force which will keep our country safe in the future,” he said.
