Australian combined arms capability on show at Exercise Chong Ju 2019.

A fighting force of tanks, helicopters, armoured reconnaissance vehicles, and infantry soldiers have showcased Australian Army’s joint combined arms capabilities during a live fire demonstration at Exercise Chong Ju in Puckapunyal, Victoria.

An Australian Light Armoured Vehicle manoeuvres during a combined arms live-fire activity as part of Exercise Chong Ju 2019 at Puckapunyal Training Area, Victoria (Picture source: Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence)

Spectators witnessed the versatile and decisive force of the Army through a fictional operational scenario that showcased the joint capabilities including M1A1 Abrams tanks, Australian light armoured vehicles (ASLAVs), an M777A2 howitzer, a Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter and infantry minor team tactics.

Chief of the Australian Army, Lieutenant General Rick Burr, AO, DSC, MVO, said Exercise Chong Ju demonstrated Army’s preparedness for operational deployments and showcased its capabilities to partners in defence industry. “This exercise is an opportunity for Defence leaders and defence industry to see how the Australian Defence Force systems work in unison and the effects on the battlefield in a potential operational scenario,” Lieutenant General Rick Burr said. “We are an Army in motion. We are prepared to deploy our versatile capabilities for the joint force, which requires us to be ready to assist in crises here at home and across the globe, now and in the future." The exercise also provided staff cadets of the Royal Military College - Duntroon an opportunity to experience the breadth of roles open to them upon graduation later this year.

Exercise Chong Ju is an annual Army exercise named after a battle in North Korea in 1950 when the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, supported by tanks and artillery, attacked and captured a large North Korean defensive line during their northward advance to the Yalu River.