Australia’s Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) radar has now been rolled out to a number of patrol bases and Forward Operating Bases (FOB) across Uruzgan Province in Afghanistan the Defence ministers announced.
The C-RAM system provides vital warning of impending rocket attacks and mortar attacks against bases, providing precious seconds for our people to take cover, rather than being exposed in the open.
On February 1, Mr Smith and Mr Clare announced that the C-RAM system was in operation at the multi-national base Tarin Kowt, achieving its initial operating capability five months ahead of schedule.
The system will roll-out to more forward operating bases over the remainder of this year.
Defence Minister Smith said that during his visit to Afghanistan in April, Australian Defence Force (ADF) Commanders in Uruzgan reported that the C-RAM system was working well.
The provision of the C-RAM capability follows on from the Force Protection Review effected by former Defence Minister John Faulkner in 2009 and underlines the Government’s commitment to provide our troops with the best available equipment.
The Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare said the Government was continuing its investment in enhanced force protection capabilities for our troops in Afghanistan.
Since it began operation in December last year the C-RAM system has provided ten warnings against rocket and mortar attacks resulting in no ADF casualties.
Most recently, the C-RAM system successfully detected and provided warning against indirect fire attacks on the Tarin Kowt base early on June 12 and again on June 14.