The Challenging Scope of the Improvised Explosive Device Battlespace Commander ADF Counter-IED Task Force Brigadier Wayne Budd
Where is the IED threat?
Sweden: Suicide Attack, Stockholm, 11 December 2010
Oslo bombing on Government buildings, Norway, 23 July 2011
VBIED Attack on US Bank in Athens, Greece, 18 February 2009
Philippines: PBIED Attack at Zamboanga Airport, 05 August 2010
VBIED, New York's Times Square, 01 May 2010
Adelaide: Outlaw MC Gang member, RCIED, 05 August 2010
SVBIED v ISAF Convoy, Kabul, 29 Oct 11 13 x CF KIA (10 US, 1 CAN, 1 UK, 1 KOS) 4 x CF WIA (US) The most deadly attack conducted in Kabul against CF personnel A 5 vehicle ISAF convoy was targeted by a SVBIED on 29 Oct 11 causing 17 x KIA (13 x CF) and wounding a further 12 (4 x CF). SVBIED consisted of a grey van containing 200-250kg explosives INS likely assessed when the troop carrying vehicle was to conduct its move, with a second INS possibly involved informing bomber when convoy left the compound
Uruzgan Province 2009-2011
Regional IED Incidents Feb 10: Aftermath of motorcycle VBIED attack in Pattani Muang District, Thailand Jan 10: Kenwood Tranceiver used in Yala Province RCIED attack, Thailand Jul 09: Components used in Jakarta hotel bombings Dual use components transiting through Malaysia Jan 10: IED cache recovered in Philippines Feb 10: Outlaw Motorcycle Gang affiliates killed with IED in Adelaide, South Australia 110 Australian citizens (non-military) have been killed worldwide by IEDs since 11 Sep 2001
Global IED Incidents September 2011
Worldwide Improvised Explosive Devices Use The use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) has spread far beyond Iraq and Afghanistan Trend showing IED explosions and finds 2006-2011
Technology Transfer Between Afghanistan Time Initiated Water bottle IED with peg switch located in a cache in Afghanistan on 15 Nov 09. & Thailand Thai Casio Digital Watch used as the back-up time initiator in the Vehicle Borne IED attack on the Park View hotel, Yala province, Thailand, Dec 2008 Victim Operated Water bottle peg switch and power pack recovered from Victim Operated IED in Yala Province, Thailand, 24 Feb 2010 Remnants of Kenwood radio transceiver recovered after an Radio Controlled IED attack in Yala province, Thailand, 02 Jan 2010 A Command Wire IED extracted from a hole drilled under a road surface in Sungai Padi district, Thailand, Sep 2006. Radio Controlled Command Wire Kenwood radio transceiver recovered in Afghanistan, Jan 2008 Command wire IED in a village in Sangin, Afghanistan, Dec 2008
The CIED Battle
IED Threat Afghanistan Account for approx 70% of casualties IEDs have become the weapon of choice Significant seasonal variations Threat remains tactically sophisticated, rather than technologically sophisticated Main triggering methods: Victim operated (pressure switch) Radio control Command Wire Suicide (pers and veh) Combat Engineer mine sweeping in southern Afghanistan Afghanistan 2010: Australian Bushmaster damage after striking IED
Where did the components come from? Why was it built this way? Why was it put here? Who put it here? Who built it? The IED threat is not just about the device
CIED Battlespace
The IED Threat Battlespace (Revised)
ADF CIED Lines of Operations Prepare the Force Explosive Hazard Awareness and Protection Training High Risk Search Defeat the Device Robotics Vehicle Protection Attack the Network Exploiting Captured IED Materials Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance
ADF Specific to Theatre Training Weapons Technical Intelligence High Risk Search Explosive Ordnance Disposal Explosive Detection Dogs Weapons Technical Intelligence
Defeat the Device defeat the device once it is emplaced... 150 lbs. ANFO Bomb w/grenade detonator 2 lbs. C2 Detection 2 lbs. C4 8 lbs. C2 12 kg Drugs 2 lbs. C4 EOD Robotics EOD Operations Force Protection Electronic Counter Measures Vulnerable Point Drills Vehicle Protection Personnel Protection
Attack the Network prevent the emplacement of the IED by attacking enemy vulnerabilities at multiple points in the IED network Biometric Exploitation MATCH Biometrics Weapons Intelligence Teams Network Analysis Technical Exploitation Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operations Centre Persistent Surveillance
IED Trends Increase in sophistication Complex application Evidence of academic support Designer switches Evidence of mass production Local application but global proliferation likely
Capabilities An increase in sophistication means an increased technical response required Training remains the most important response Equipment development and fielding response timings Requires a comprehensive response to attacking entire networks
Summary Globally increasing threat Increasing sophistication trends Requires comprehensive capability response Whole of Government and international response
Questions?