Defence Portfolio
Briefing to the Incoming Government 2005
Roles and Organisation of the Ministry of Defence and the NZDF (continued)
The Royal New Zealand Navy
The Chief of Navy (CN) commands the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN). CN is also responsible for generating the Navy's military capability (people, ships, equipment and infrastructure). Ships and other units are assigned to the operational command of the Maritime Component Commander Joint Forces New Zealand (MCC JFNZ) through the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand for the generation of military capability. (The Commander Joint Forces New Zealand resumes operational command of designated units for specific operations conducted under OC 16.)
The Navy's Capabilities
The Naval Combat Forces, TE KAHA and TE MANA and embarked SH2G helicopters are prepared to conduct maritime operations. Both frigates are available, at designated degrees of notice, for military tasks across the spectrum of military operations. The LEANDER Class frigate, CANTERBURY, was decommissioned in March 2005 and is ready for disposal.
The Naval Support Force (NSF) comprises the fleet replenishment ship, ENDEAVOUR, which is prepared to provide operational and maritime logistic support, in particular fuel, for deployed military forces. The NSF will be enlarged by the addition of the new multi-role vessel in late 2006. This vessel will provide the NZDF with a military sealift capability.
The Mine Counter-Measure (MCM) Forces are prepared to conduct maritime mine warfare operations. This capability is provided by MANAWANUI and the Operational Diving Team (ODT).
The Naval Patrol Force will eventually comprise two Offshore Patrol Vessels and four Inshore Patrol Vessels, which will be delivered between 2006 and 2007. In the interim the five Inshore Patrol Craft, KAHU, MOA, KIWI, WAKAKURA and HINAU provide a limited capability.
The Navy maintains a Hydrographic Data capability that is used to provide hydrographic and oceanographic information to support military operations, (including maritime mine warfare and amphibious operations). It also provides the capabilities required to meet Land Information New Zealand requirements under contract, and to support selected third parties. The hydrographic and oceanographic survey vessel, RESOLUTION, provides the primary collection capability with specialist personnel in the Navy's Hydrographic Business Unit and the Joint Geospatial Support Facility providing data processing and information management. The Survey Motor Boat ADVENTURE is also part of the Navy's hydrographic capacity.
Organisation of the Royal New Zealand Navy
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- CN retains full command of the RNZN and is responsible for managing the Navy's capability to deliver operational outputs.
- COMJFNZ is responsible for the operational command of all assigned force elements on Output Class 16 operations and for mutually agreed joint and combined training.
Chief of Navy - Rear Admiral David Ian Ledson, ONZM
Rear Admiral David Ledson was born in Reefton, New Zealand on 13 January 1951. He was educated at Inangahua College and Christchurch Boy's High School. He joined the Royal New Zealand Navy as a Cadet Midshipman in January 1967 and underwent his initial training at the Royal Australian Naval College, Jervis Bay.
From 1969 to 1971 Rear Admiral Ledson studied at Auckland University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. He was then posted to HMNZS TARANAKI for sea training prior to going to the United Kingdom for operations courses.
Rear Admiral Ledson served in HMNZS WAIKATO between July 1973 and October 1975. He then spent almost two years in HMNZS OTAGO before attending warfare courses in the United Kingdom specialising in navigation. On his return to New Zealand he was again posted to HMNZS WAIKATO as the Weapons Control Officer.
In March 1980 Rear Admiral Ledson became the Personal Staff Officer to the Chief of Naval Staff. He returned to HMNZS WAIKATO as the Operations Officer in April 1982. Between January and June 1984 Rear Admiral Ledson attended the Royal Australian Naval Staff College in Sydney.
In October 1985 Rear Admiral Ledson was posted to the staff of the Chief of Naval Staff as the Director of Naval Operational Data Systems until October 1989 when he was appointed Commanding Officer of HMNZS WAIKATO. In November the following year he was attached to Blohm & Voss, in Hamburg for eighteen months for duties with the ANZAC Ship project.
In July 1992 Rear Admiral Ledson returned to New Zealand and was appointed as Chief of Naval Development on the staff of the Chief of Naval Staff. He was granted the acting rank of Captain at this time and confirmed in this rank in June 1993. Between July 1994 and June 1995 Rear Admiral Ledson was posted to the United States Naval War College, Rhode Island. On his return to New Zealand he was appointed Director of Resource Policy on the staff of the Chief of Defence Force.
In February 1998 Rear Admiral Ledson was posted as Captain Fleet Support on the staff of the Maritime Commander in Auckland. He was promoted to Flag Rank and appointed Deputy Chief of Naval Staff in April 2000. On 1 July 2001 with the establishment of Headquarters Joint Forces New Zealand, Rear Admiral Ledson assumed the position of Maritime Component Commander at that Headquarters.
He took up his current position as Chief of Navy and was promoted Rear Admiral on 8 April 2004.
Rear Admiral Ledson is married to Barbara (Devery) and they live in Wellington.
