What will be the cost of NOT having a tank regiment?

The National Defence Strategy 2024 makes it clear that the Army must have the capacity to respond with credible military force; to secure and control strategic land positions; and sustain protracted combat operations.  An essential element of the projection of land power in the littoral region (Army’s focus), relates to seizing and controlling vital terrain and infrastructure.  

The tank obviously has a crucial role in this, being “at the core of the ADF’s combined arms fighting system”.  Only tanks have the capability to rapidly deploy and dominate the battlefield with their firepower.  Added to this, it is one of the few parts of the “ADF that can successfully operate in medium to high-threat land environments”.  Furthermore, “because of their versatility, tanks can be used in a wide range of scenarios, environments and levels of conflict in the region”.  

What does it mean to belong to a tank regiment?  It means a focus on destroying the enemy, before they destroy you.  This requires the mindset and capacity to quickly close with an adversary and dominate the battlefield using all means available.  

Doing this effectively, requires quick thinking and decisiveness.  Bringing an aggressive spirit, determination, and courage to the point of battle, is essential.  

The close-knit bond formed by tank crews is that which sets a tank regiment apart from other units and makes it unique.  The motto of 1 Armd Regt is ‘Paratus’.  This used to hold a sense of deep significance in the context of a tank regiment constantly honing its battlefield skills and professionalism; a unit committed to not only doing their best, but also being the best.   

The Chief of Army has stated that: “Putting Australian soldiers on the ground and in harm’s way, remains the ultimate expression of our nation’s will and resolve”.  1 Armd Regt was a proud benchmark in this respect for 75 years; being awarded a Standard, three battle honours and a Unit Citation for Gallantry.  

As the unit has now been stripped of its war-fighting role, however, it can no longer strive to be the ultimate expression of the nation’s will and resolve.  If the CA had been firm in his belief that “the Australian Army’s future is fighting on the beaches, rivers, coastal waters and archipelagos of the Indo-Pacific”, 1 Armd Regt would never have been stripped of its tanks and 3 Brigade would still be a complete armoured brigade with tank, cavalry, and mechanised infantry battlegroups. 

It’s a position that can’t be maintained, however, if the need to find savings in the Defence budget to meet the cost of the AUKUS submarines, is taken into account.   

At the CA’s direction, 1 Armd Regt is now a ‘services’ (rather than an ‘arms’) unit; tasked with evaluating new and emerging technologies.  The Army’s tank fleet has been reduced by one third and is commanded by the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.  This is a unit which now also has a dual role … equipped with both reconnaissance vehicles and tanks. 

Even a cursory examination, however, reveals that the two roles are incompatible.  A single unit headquarters would never be able to effectively meet simultaneous demands of possible recon and infantry close fire support scenarios … they are fundamentally ‘at odds’ with each other.  Of course, it is only on active service that these shortcomings will be exposed; until then, anything can be ‘managed’ during training (though false lessons are being continuously inculcated).

Apart from the problems created by 2 Cav Regt’s dual roles, what else is lost by the absence of a ‘homogeneous’ tank regiment?  Obviously, flexibility that goes with three tank squadrons able to reinforce each other; to press home the attack and capitalise on ‘shock action’ … or, the flexibility to commit to independent operations, without one role having to set the priority, for the other.  

The esprit-de-corps, pride, and camaraderie built up by the close bonds formed by crews in a tank regiment is also lost and will remain so until 1 Armd Regt returns to the role of a tank regiment; at which time the unit may be gradually rebuilt until, once again, it is focussed on destroying the enemy (rather than managing new technologies).

One of the CA’s favourite sayings is: “The time is now, and we are it. We must be ready to fight tonight”.  If that were to be the case, the combat power of 3 Brigade (Armoured) is a fraction of what it should be.  

What has happened to 1 Armd Regt, and as a consequence, to 2 Cav Regt, is a disgrace to the RAAC (what used to be a proud Corps).

Sadly … it seems that we are an Army destined to stumble blindly through the darkness, unwilling to open our eyes and speak out against the mistakes being made around us.   

Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Cameron, MC, RAAC (Ret’d)

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FILE PHOTO: Australian Army Abrams M1A2 SEPv3 main battle tanks during a live-fire serial as part of a qualification course for Royal Australian Armoured Corps soldiers at Puckapunyal Military Area, Victoria. Photo by Corporal Jacob Joseph.

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