Government Defence Statement
Executive summary
The government is building a modern, professional and well-equipped Defence Force with the necessary military capabilities across all three services to meet New Zealand's objectives. The government has set clear goals and priorities and made a careful and thorough assessment of New Zealand's defence and security needs.
The New Zealand Defence Force is being reconfigured so that it is sustainable and affordable over the long-term. It will be able both to meet New Zealand's own defence and security needs, and to make a useful contribution when it is deployed.
The key components of the NZDF will be:
- a joint approach to structure and operational orientation
- a modernised Army
- a practical Navy fleet matched to New Zealand's wider security needs
- a refocused and updated Air Force
- a funding commitment to provide financial certainty.
Joint approach
- On 1 July this year, the Joint Force Operational Headquarters begins operation at Trentham. The ability of the headquarters to operate effectively will be enhanced by moves now underway to acquire a modern joint command and control system.
- The headquarters of the Defence Force and the three single services are being reorganised and rationalised to reflect a better joint approach to planning and to managing the NZDF.
- A new Maritime Co-ordination Centre will be established and co-located with the Joint Force Operational Headquarters at Trentham. It will be responsible for integrating the work of all agencies to ensure that there is a comprehensive national strategy for managing maritime risks.
A modernised Army
- The current structure of the Army continues, based on two light infantry battalions within a brigade framework. These two battalions provide a capacity to sustain a 600-900 person commitment for a year and a 900-1,200 size battalion for six months. These levels can be enhanced by the deployment of Territorials when and where necessary.
- Service in the Territorial Army needs to be more attractive to both territorials and their employers. The government is looking at ways to address these issues.
- Acquisition of new armoured vehicles, tactical communications, and light operational vehicles to replace the Landrovers will address the major immediate equipment deficiencies.
- Other investment requirements include: close-in fire support; vehicles and sensors to equip the reconnaissance companies; command and control equipment; and combat service support equipment.
- Other capability issues to be addressed are engineer support, artillery, air defence and electronic warfare.
A practical Navy fleet
- The two ANZAC frigates will continue in service.
- Work will proceed on identifying a suitable multi-role vessel, with long distance and Southern Ocean capabilities, to be phased in as the HMNZS Canterbury is retired.
- HMNZS Charles Upham will be sold after it completes its current charter in July of this year.
- The requirement for an appropriate sealift capability will be considered as part of a review of the composition of our maritime surface fleet.
- The above review will also examine how best to meet civilian requirements for coastal and mid-range offshore capabilities.
- Consideration will be given to whether any further combat and detection equipment should be provided for the Seasprite naval helicopters.
A refocused and updated Air Force
- The Orion fleet will be retained, and provided with a limited upgrade using good quality commercial systems wherever possible.
- A study will be undertaken to determine the best options for short and medium range air patrol.
- The air combat force will be disbanded.
- There will be an investigation of the feasibility of equipping the Orions with a missile capability.
- The C-130 Hercules fleet will be upgraded or replaced.
- The Iroquois helicopter fleet will be upgraded or replaced.
- A study will be completed as soon as possible to identify the options for replacing the B727 transport planes, including ownership, or the possibility of leasing or chartering.
A funding commitment to provide financial certainty
- There will be modest increases in the net operating funding for defence and total capital investment of more than two billion dollars over the next ten years.
