Department of Defence Media Mail List
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPA 274/07 Monday, 27 August 2007
DEFENCE REJECTS CLAIMS OF FAULTY EQUIPMENT
Defence rejects the claims made by Channel Seven that Australian Defence Force
personnel lack high quality weapons and equipment.
Defence believes that Channel 7s ‘investigative report’ is based entirely on
selective and exaggerated use of information gained from a Freedom of
Information Request on 13 August 2007. In responding to this request, Defence
provided Channel 7 with information on faults with ammunition and weapons used
by service personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq during a two-year period between
April 2005 – April 2007.
Contrary to Channel 7s report, the information provided to them highlights that:
* Defence takes weapon safety seriously and responds quickly to all reported
weapon faults and improvement recommendations. The Report on Unsatisfactory or
Defective Material (RODUM) system is an effective, robust and well-used method
of identifying and fixing equipment problems.
* The fact that Defence personnel use RODUMs to report equipment issues
indicates they have a high level of confidence in the system.
* The relatively small number of RODUMs compared to Defence’s total inventory
reinforces the very high standard of weapons and equipment.
* The results achieved by Defence personnel in harsh operational environments in
places like Iraq and Afghanistan bears testimony to their training, leadership,
commitment and equipment.
In response to the specific claims made in the Channel 7 report, Defence
confirms that:
Steyrs
* Since 2005 there have been three RODUMs submitted in relation to the F88
AUSTEYR (Steyr Rifle) - two in 2005 and one in December 2006. Each of these
RODUMs related to minor faults in a relatively small number of weapons.
* For example, the unit which submitted the December 2006 RODUM used 400 weapons
over a four-month operational period. During this time spring kits were
replaced in only 14 weapons.
* This is not excessive and is considered part of the normal repair and
maintenance regime.
Weapon Mounts
* Army currently has serviceable mounts for the MK19 and the other weapon
systems mounted to patrol vehicles.
* These mounts have undergone a number of local modifications to tailor them to
the specific vehicle upon which they are to be employed. They are operating
effectively in Afghanistan today.
* Army is undertaking continuous improvement of this equipment and also working
toward a common mount for all weapon systems.
Sniper Rifle
* The RODUM system identified the barrel cleaner for the sniper rifle was not
cleaning barrels effectively and an alternative was suggested.
* The suggested alternative was found to be unacceptable from an Occupational
Health and Safety perspective.
Contrary to Channel 7s assertion that this decision reflects bureaucratic
interference, it was designed to protect the health and safety of Defence
personnel.
* A more suitable cleaning agent is being provided that achieves an acceptable
cleaning effect and is safe to use.
Explosive Ordnance (EO)
* More than 10 million items of EO were issued in support of operations during
2006/ 07. Only 44 RODUMs related to EO were reported during this period.
Channel 7 has used the RODUM system to highlight negative aspects of equipment
quality. The fact is that the relatively small number of RODUMs compared to
Defence’s extensive inventory reinforces the very high standard of our weapons
and equipment.
Channel 7s claims are sensationalistic and are designed to mislead the
Australian public about the true state of ADF equipment. The families of
Defence personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan don’t deserve to be alarmed by this
type of misleading coverage.
Defence calls on Channel 7 to review its coverage of the story and present a
more accurate reporting of the facts.
Media Notes:
Audio grabs of Chief of Army Lieutenant General Peter Leahy are available at:
http://www.defence.gov.au/media/download/audio/index.cfm
Imagery of soldiers firing a range of weapons in the Middle East is available
at:
http://www.defence.gov.au/opcatalyst/images/gallery/20070827/index.htm
http://www.defence.gov.au/opslipper/images/gallery/20070827/index.htm
Media contact:
Defence Media Liaison
(02) 6265 3343 or (0408) 498 664
For a free subscription to Defence Direct, the Minister for Defence’s monthly
e-newsletter, please follow this link:
http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/defencedirect/spt/subscribe.html
DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Coordination and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6265 3343, Fax: 02 62656946
Media Releases are available via e-mail if you register at
www.defence.gov.au/media