Army and Air Force health support is set to receive improved definitive care capability, providing soldiers and aviators with access to a wide range of health and medical, without leaving the battlefield.
These upgrades reduce the risk of battlefield casualties, exposure to disease, provide on-the-ground treatment for health issues, and access to world's best deployable health care.
Dental officer Captain Austin Nguyen, of the 3rd Health Battalion, said the new equipment would enable Army and Air Force to treat personnel closer to where they were injured.
"Treating the source of any issue 'there and then' maintains our personnel close to the battlespace and prevents strain on the logistics system and availability of our soldiers," Captain Nguyen said.
The deployable health system comes with a modular design, giving it the flexibly to set up any kind of clinic or ward, including physiotherapy, blood services, dental and resuscitation.
In addition to flexibility, upgrades to equipment also include new tents, designed to keep areas clean in various environments and in all types of weather.
Sergeant Joanne Reed, of the 3rd Health Battalion, said this would be an improvement in comparison to the issues she encountered in Operation Rhino Run in 2024.
"The new tents allow us to keep the clinic clean, keep the dust and wind out completely, have air-conditioning and stay dry during rain," Sergeant Reed said.
Over three days in March, ADF personnel conducted Operational Test and Evaluation on systems and equipment to assess their viability in the field.
Personnel from the 3rd Health Battalion ran scenarios to put a strain on the capability, ensuring the new health system is ready for any patient that comes through.
Brigadier Colin Bassett, Director-General Platforms, said the testing reinforced how crucial this capability was.
"This system isn't just about treating injuries - it's about preventing further harm by ensuring we have the right medical support in place, at the right time," Brigadier Bassett said.
"The flexibility of this set-up means we can tailor it to different mission requirements, making a real difference in saving lives."
