The demands of the bushfire crisis on the ADF could cause delays to planned exercises, Defence has confirmed.
Around 4400 ADF personnel, including 1100 reservists, are currently supporting Operation Bushfire Assist. Since operations began, they have cleared 4700 kilometres of road, repaired 975 kilometres of fencing, constructed 240 kilometres of firebreaks, delivered over 1000 tons of fodder and over 5000 tons of water. Over 1000 ground vehicles are operating across NSW, Victoria and SA.
RAN helicopters have been conducting operations since September 2019 in support of firefighting operations, flying in challenging conditions ahead of fire fronts, and RAAF's C-27J Spartans conducted 119 flights in Victoria in the first three weeks of January.
Fatigue management became a concern for JTF commanders on Kangaroo Island in early February as the high operational tempo started to take a toll.
A Defence spokesperson told ADM that Defence anticipates rescheduling planned exercises to account for the heightened demand on troops and equipment over recent months.
"As Operation Bushfire Assist is ongoing, the impact upon programmed exercises is subject to review," a spokesperson said to ADM. "Defence continues to assess the impact on previously scheduled exercises resulting from the unprecedented response to the national bushfire crisis.
"Defence anticipates possible rescheduling of some exercises, however this is not likely to have any material consequences for ADF preparedness.
"As the Chief of the Defence Force has stated, Operation Bushfire Assist is the ADF’s highest priority."
Defence did not confirm which exercises it expects to reschedule.
Four warships left Sydney on Monday to participate in RAN's first exercise of the year, Fleet Certification Period 2020 (FCP20). HMA Ships Hobart, Stuart, Arunta and Sirius will war game in the vicinity of Bass Strait with five other Australian ships and submarines.