Damon Mcknight
The Australian Army is a modern fighting force that protects the Australian people, provides disaster relief, and defends national interests. It is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which includes the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian Army has a long history, dating back to its formation in 1901, and has participated in several notable conflicts, including World War II, the Vietnam War, and campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq. According to the 2021 Census, the ADF had approximately 58,000 active members, with over 40,000 officers and soldiers based at 15 major locations across Australia. With a range of vehicles, aircraft, and world-class military technology, the Australian Army offers diverse roles for its personnel, who are drawn from all walks of life.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Military Size in 2017 | 58,000 |
| Military Strength Ranking | 18 of 145 |
| Total No. of People Who Have Served in ADF | 581,100 (2.8% of the Australian population aged 15 years and over) |
| No. of People Currently Serving in Regular Service | 60,300 (10.4%) |
| No. of People Currently Serving in Reserve Service | 24,600 (4.2%) |
| No. of People Who Have Previously Served in Reserve or Regular Service | 496,300 (85.4%) |
| No. of Officers and Soldiers | 40,000+ |
| No. of Vehicles and Aircraft | 14,000 |
| No. of Battalions Participating in the Battle of Balikpapan | 33,000 |
| No. of Battalions in the First Australian Imperial Force (AIF) | 52,561 |
| % of Households with at Least One Person Who Has Served in the ADF | 5.3% |
| % of ADF Members Living in New South Wales or Queensland | 56% |
| % of ADF Members in Townsville | 8.2% |
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What You'll Learn
The Australian Army's weapons
The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia and is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). It was formed in 1901 through the amalgamation of the colonial forces of Australia following the Federation of Australia.
The Australian Army has used a variety of weaponry and equipment, sourced mainly from British and American manufacturers, as well as local Australian manufacturers. One of the first tasks of the newly formed Army was to uniformly equip the national army, which was challenging as all six colonial armies were in the field during the Second Boer War. The equipment used by the Australian Army has evolved over time, influenced by various wars and conflicts, including World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War.
Currently, the Australian Army is acquiring advanced weaponry and equipment to modernize its capabilities. Here is a list of some of the weapons and systems utilized or being acquired by the Australian Army:
- Enhanced F88 Austeyr (EF88) rifle: The EF88 is being rolled out to replace the previous F88 Austeyr rifle. It offers improved modularity, featuring an extended accessories rail, a fixed barrel, and a bolt catch release. The Army has ordered 38,500 EF88 rifles as of 2020.
- Steyr Mannlicher SL40 grenade launchers: The Army acquired 2,277 grenade launchers from Steyr Mannlicher to complement the EF88 rifles.
- SIG Sauer P320 X-Carry Pro pistols: The ADF placed an order for these pistols as the new Sidearm Weapon System, replacing the Hi-Power. They are equipped with a SIG ROMEO2 Red Dot Sight and SIG FOXTROT2 Weapon Light.
4 M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS): Under LAND 8113, the Army will acquire 42 HIMARS to provide fire support up to 300 kilometres. These systems will utilize various munitions, including GMLRS and the M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS).
- AS9 Huntsman 155mm self-propelled howitzers: Under LAND 8116 Phase 1, the Army will acquire 30 of these howitzers, based on the South Korean Hanwha K9 Thunder. They will be delivered in 2025.
- Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters: Under LAND 4503 Phase 1, the Army will purchase 29 of these helicopters to replace the Tiger helicopters from 2025.
- Next-generation individual weapon: In collaboration with Thales Australia, the Army is developing a next-generation weapon in bullpup configuration, chambered for the 6.8 mm calibre, similar to the US Next Generation Squad Weapon program.
The Australian Army continues to invest in advanced weaponry and equipment to enhance its capabilities and maintain its position as a capable and modern military force.
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The Australian Army's size
The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia. It is part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), which also includes the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian Army was formed in 1901 as the Commonwealth Military Forces, through the amalgamation of the colonial forces of Australia following the Federation of Australia.
The Australian Army has a long history of involvement in international conflicts. During World War I, the Australian Army raised the all-volunteer First Australian Imperial Force (AIF), which had an initial recruitment of 52,561 men. The AIF played a significant role in the Middle East and Europe, particularly in the Battle of Amiens in 1918 and the Battle of Mont St Quentin in 1918.
During World War II, the Australian Army participated in the largest amphibious operation in the country's history, with 33,000 Australian servicemen involved in the Balikpapan engagement. After the surrender of Japan, Australia provided a contingent to the British Commonwealth Occupation Force (BCOF), which included the 34th Brigade.
In more recent times, the Australian Army has been involved in conflicts such as the Vietnam War, providing military advisors and combat troops, and border conflicts between Indonesian-backed forces and British-Malaysian allies.
As of 2017, the Australian military had approximately 58,000 personnel, including active duty military and paramilitary forces. This number encompasses the Australian Army, the Royal Australian Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force. The Australian Army makes up the majority of the country's military personnel.
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The Australian Coat of Arms
The Coat of Arms depicts a shield, containing symbols of Australia's six states, and is held up by native Australian animals, the kangaroo and the emu. The red kangaroo and emu that support the shield have never been designated official animal emblems of the nation, but they are recognised as endemic Australian fauna. They symbolise progress and the nation moving forward, as neither animal can easily walk backwards.
The shield is enclosed by an ermine border, signifying the federation of the States into the Commonwealth. The Crest of the Arms consists of a seven-pointed gold star on a blue and gold wreath. Six points represent each of the States of the Commonwealth, and the seventh point represents the Commonwealth Territories.
The Coat of Arms is commonly but incorrectly referred to as the 'Commonwealth Crest'. Strictly speaking, the Crest is the device above the shield and helmet on a coat of arms. In Australia's case, it is the seven-pointed gold star on the wreath. The Arms are usually depicted in a compartment adorned with wattle (Acacia pycnantha) leaves and inflorescence, and a scroll with the word "AUSTRALIA" on it under the Arms. The wattle, the scroll, and the rests for the Kangaroo and Emu do not constitute part of the Arms.
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The Australian Army's bases
The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia and is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The Australian Defence Force has numerous military bases across all the States and Territories of Australia. Most of these bases are equipped with Everyman's Welfare Service recreation centres.
The Australian Army was formed in 1901 as the Commonwealth Military Forces, through the amalgamation of the colonial forces of Australia following the Federation of Australia. The Army is commanded by the Chief of Army (CA), who is subordinate to the Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) who commands the ADF. The CA is also directly responsible to the Minister for Defence.
Some of the Australian Army bases include:
- Albury Wodonga Military Area
- Australian Defence College
- Australian Defence Force Academy
- Borneo Barracks
- Campbell Barracks
- Campbell Park
- Damascus Barracks
- Defence Establishment Orchard Hills
- Defence Plaza Melbourne
- Defence Plaza Sydney
- Edinburgh Defence Precinct
The Australian Army has participated in several notable conflicts, including World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War. The Battle of Amiens in 1918, in conjunction with the Canadian Corps and the British III Corps, was described by General Erich Ludendorff as "the black day of the German Army". The Australian Army also played a significant role in the capture of Tarakan and the amphibious operation at Balikpapan, which was the largest amphibious operation undertaken by Australian forces, with 33,000 Australian servicemen participating.
As of 2017, the size of Australia's military personnel, including paramilitary forces, was approximately 58,000.
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The Australian Army's history
The Australian Army has a long history dating back to the arrival of the First Fleet in January 1788, when the New South Wales Marine Corps came ashore as the first modern infantry on the Australian continent. For more than 80 years after the establishment of the first British colony, the only professional soldiers in Australia were members of British regiments sent to garrison the continent.
During this early period, the colonial forces participated in the Australian frontier wars, which were marked by conflicts and massacres against the Indigenous Australian population. One of the most brutal episodes occurred in 1828 when the Governor of Van Diemen's Land declared martial law, initiating the Black War, which lasted until 1832.
By 1870, 25 British infantry regiments had served in Australia, along with artillery and engineer units. However, the six separate self-governing colonies in Australia had already established their own part-time reserve units, known as militia or "volunteers". In 1885, the government of New South Wales sent infantry and artillery support to join a short-lived British campaign in Sudan. During the Second Boer War, Australian soldiers fought alongside the British, with contingents sent from the six self-governing colonies.
In the early 1900s, the Australian Government established the armed services as separate organisations, and in 1901, the Australian Army was formed through the amalgamation of the colonial forces following the Federation of Australia. The newly formed Army fought in World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency, the Vietnam War, and more recently, in the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The Australian Army is the principal land warfare force of Australia and is a part of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). As of June 2023, the ADF had approximately 57,346 full-time active-duty personnel and 32,049 active reservists, making it the largest military force in Oceania.
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Frequently asked questions
The Australian Coat of Arms features a shield supported by a kangaroo and an emu, which symbolise progress and the nation moving forward. The top half of the shield, from left to right, represents the states of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland. The bottom half, from left to right, represents South Australia, Western Australia, and Tasmania. Above the shield is the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star, with six points representing the original six states and the seventh representing the territories.
The Coat of Arms symbolises Commonwealth authority and ownership. It is used by Australian Government departments, agencies, statutory and non-statutory authorities, the Parliament and Commonwealth courts and tribunals.
The Coat of Arms was officially granted by King George V on 19 September 1912. It was redesigned in 1911 by William Gullick, who also designed the New South Wales coat of arms. The redesign was based on the Bowman Flag of 1805, which depicted a rose, shamrock and thistle supported by a kangaroo and an emu.
