The Army will use the Darwin-Adelaide railway to move 35 armored vehicles to Port Augusta for a training exercise to be conducted this month, Defence Minister Robert Hill announced today.
“This is the first time in Australia’s history that large quantities of equipment and logistics can be moved in all weather conditions from Defence’s important northern bases to southern Australia,” Senator Hill said.
“The railway is a vital part of our national security, improving the mobility of the Australian Defence Force and helping us to overcome the strategic isolation of our northern military bases.”
Tanks, armored personnel carriers and light armored vehicles from the Darwin-based 1st Brigade will be loaded on to the train today, depart the Berrimah rail yards on Friday and arrive at Port Augusta on Sunday.
It will be the first time tanks have been moved by train since the late 1980s.
Senator Hill said Exercise Southern Leopard to be held at the Cultana Training Area would provide soldiers with the opportunity to conduct low level maneuver and combined arms training within a combat team environment. There will also be some limited live firing during the exercise.
“Historically, the 1st Brigade’s training has been restricted to the dry season due to road and weather conditions in the Northern Territory during the wet season,” Senator Hill said.
“The opening of the railway will allow the Army to conduct training in an alternative location at the existing Cultana training area during the wet season, providing a vital link for moving soldiers and vehicles to exercises. Previously, valuable training time was often spent waiting for the road from Darwin to be re-opened before Army could move its vehicles.
“In the past two years 1st Brigade and 9th Brigade, from South Australia, had used the Cultana training area for some live firing exercises and light armored vehicle operations.
“The 1st Brigade is now looking at options for regular wet season training with their armored vehicles all year round thanks to the new strategic lift capability provided by the railway, including expanding the Cultana area. This will mean our soldiers and equipment are better prepared to move at short notice should we require it.”
Exercise Southern Leopard started on Monday and will run until early next month
