Sir,
I have the latest Defence Report (2001-2002) in front of me at the moment, just received today. A 120mm mortar system is not on our list of requirements.
Besides we are broke, what with the UN owing Australia some 4.9 billion US Dollars for East Timor as of the end of the last financial year (30 Jun 2001), and is not paying any of it‘s bill‘s in Australia since. Add to it the illegal refugee invasion, and our financial committement to the Americans under ANZUS for their playing at cowboys in Afghanistan!!!!!
I umpired on Exercise Tamdem Thrust in May of this year in central Queensland, part of the with 2nd Cav Regt (the rest unfortunately with the USMC). The subject of fire support brought up, the regt wants the L16 system. The new ammunition take the range up to 6800 metres for the HE round (if the Merlin round is purchased it has a range of 6400), an efficient, rapid response weapon that is easy to use and maintain.
The purchase of a 120mm system is not in our interest, due to its small numbers would have to be purchased from overseas (as would all spare parts), the ammunition being the same, it would require substantial modification of our version of the Bison, plus the number of bombs required is limited and would require extra Bisons for ammo carriage. We have better and more things to spend our money on.
Besides tactically if a light armoured regiment (whose role is recce) gets involved in fighting which requires such heavy fire support, it‘s not doing it‘s job.
Yours,
Jock in Sydney