The army is to be restructured into nine “battle groups” capable of rapid deployment overseas. Each unit of 750 troops would be “self-sufficient” with its own artillery, tanks, and helicopters. They would be “more lethal and nimble, better protected and more adaptable” than the existing five main infantry battalions, the Australian said.

Combat troops would be increased by 2,500, nearly 10 percent, by 2012, in addition to drawing on more reservists. Two composite brigade-sized units of 3,000 would be created, each with their own aviation, artillery, armored vehicles, and engineering support.

The Australian government intends to be able to put a brigade and battle group into separate wars or interventions overseas at the same time.

The navy plans to add two heavy warships that could support amphibious assaults. They would transport up to 1,000 troops and be command centers for such deployments.

The restructuring would give the government flexibility in its own military operations and capacity to be part of the larger fighting formations of its closest allies, Washington and London.  
 
 
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