ADF, defence industry meet business leaders at Northern Australia Defence Summit

ADF and defence industry leaders are appealing to local businesses in a bid to fast-track the progress of Darwin’s ‘littoral’ brigade.

The issues facing Darwin’s littoral brigade has been discussed at a summit.

ADF and defence industry leaders are appealing to local businesses in a bid to fast-track the progress of Darwin’s ‘littoral’ brigade.

The pitch comes after retired US commander Lieutenant General John Wissler warned a 300-strong audience that Australia’s industrial base needed to rapidly expand to curb Chinese influence.

At the Northern Australia Defence Summit, General Wissler said China was ahead of western world in military production and sustainment.

“None of our countries, independently, have an industrial base right now that will defeat that of China.”

On Wednesday, defence, government and industry leaders returned to the Darwin Convention Centre to meet business representatives interested to learn whether their services could be of use.

In a military context, littoral refers to the ability for a land-based combat unit to effect a target at sea and vice-versa

With the bulk of the ADF’s combat experience orientated around urban, desert or alpine environments due to the War on Terror, 1st Brigade’s pivot to water-based operations has been a significant transformation.

Brigadier Doug Pashley provided insight into some of the challenges encountered by his littoral brigade. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

To illustrate the complications posed in a littoral environment, Brigadier Doug Pashley gave a candid account of the challenges his troops experienced on Exercise Predator’s Run 2024 - an activity involving more than 5000 troops and spanning the entirety of the Top End coastline.

“It tested us to breaking point,” he said.

“It tested our (command), our health support, logistics, our fires, our communications over significant distances - but we did it to learn.”

In an attempt to tackle the tyranny of distance and rugged region, Brigadier Pashley revealed his troops turned to inventive methods.

“We tried giving our personnel money to procure things locally, we tried seaplanes for (transporting blood), we had medical experts in Gove Hospital.”

Brigadier Pashley said his troops would experience further strain this season.

“This year, we will start at a reduced (operational viability period) so we force the (logisticians) to do their job and resupply.”

An artist’s impression of the Darwin Ship LIft, which is expected to support littoral operations into the future.

In time, it is expected 1st Brigade will inherit more than a dozen medium landing craft under Land Project 8710.

Heavy landing craft, capable of transporting up to 600 tonnes of equipment over long distances, will also be delivered.

Locally, assets such as the NT government-owned ship lift facility will also play a role in supporting littoral operations.

Retired Lieutenant General John Frewen said Darwin presented both a “critical launch pad” and “refuelling point” for the ADF and its allies.

“Unfortunately in peacetime, the nature of logistics is often forgotten and subject to under investment,” he said.

“The (Defence Strategic Review) and (National Defence Strategy) identified the urgent need to upgrade our logistical networks, particularly in Northern Australia, and, despite other substantial pressures on the defence budget such as nuclear submarines, pleasingly money has been allocated to expand, diversify and harden logistics, infrastructure and contracts supporting northern force projection.”

Troops boarding a landing craft during an exercise.

Businesses now have the opportunity to directly get involved in the expansion, with a public tender for Land Project 8710 launched this month.

Valued between $5bn and $7bn, the project’s scope includes both maritime and landside facilities concerning the project.

Senior defence consultant Aaron McMahon encouraged locals to be bold and pitch their case to defence superiors.

“Go to their events, talk to them, and make sure you’ve done everything to tick the boxes to be in their supply chain,” he said.