For each type or class of vessel and aircraft used by the Department of Defence in the Coastwatch program, (a) how many are in use and (b) what is the operating cost per 24 hours.

The Patrol Boat Force Element Group, currently comprising 15 Fremantle class vessels, collectively provides approximately 1,800 days per annum to the Coastwatch civil surveillance program for patrol and response tasking.

All other Royal Australian Navy vessels and embarked helicopters provide ad hoc surveillance support in Australian maritime zones during the course of their routine normal operations and exercises.

The Air Force normally plans to provide 250 flying hours annually in support of Coastwatch, but does not have dedicated aircraft for this purpose. In 2003-04, the Air Force provided 11.2 hours of P3C Orion flying support dedicated to Coastwatch. Additionally, the Air Force flew the following hours as part of Defence operations that contribute in part to Coastwatch objectives: 1,835.8 hours P3C Orion and 165.1 hours C130 - Operation Relex II (conduct of air and surface patrols across Australia’s northern approaches to deter unauthorised boat arrivals); 52.3 hours C130 Hercules - Operation Gemsbok (Navy and Air Force support to Australian Fisheries Management Authority pursuit and apprehension of foreign fishing vessel Viarsa I); and 23.2 hours C130 Hercules and 76.4 hours DHC-4 Caribou - Operation Cranberry (surveillance of Northern Australia and coordination of Australian Defence Force support to civil surveillance program in Northern Australia).

Air Force support is not provided on a 24-hour basis, but rather on an as required basis.

With respect to the operating cost per 24 hours, see the response to Senate Question on Notice No. 343, published in the Hansard on 19 August 2002, which established the Government’s approach to the costing of operations. There is no net additional cost to the Navy or the Air Force for the 15 Fremantle Class patrol boats, or the P3 C Orion in support of Coastwatch.