Interoperability

Lately we hear the excuse from the Entrenched Defence Bureaucracy that hardware has to be common for "interoperability". And this is used to prop up faulty weapons acquisition plans.

It appears this theory is in dispute.

http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/pubs/rp/rp0102/02RP03#submerged

Getting in Early: Lessons of the Collins Submarine Program for Improved Oversight of Defence Procurement

Derek Woolner

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Group

18 September 2001

Submarine Operations with the US

The extent to which Australia should accommodate the US within the context of the alliance is a matter of judgement, which may well differ with circumstances. There may well be temptations (and perhaps some benefits to morale) to send the Collins to the far ends of the north Pacific to assist the Americans. Experience has taught that over much involvement in such operations can lead to neglect of requirements for operations closer to home. Being able to provide assistance to the US requires preparation but it does not require commonality of equipment. The US Commander-in-Chief Pacific, Admiral Blair, has stated that the essentials of interoperability are agreements on standards and software applications, and commonality of doctrine and training, rather than being an issue of hardware.

Emphasis added.


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