Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)
(June 2003 Update)
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Projects Approved In Principle By Government
Light Operational Vehicle (LOV)
Description
- This project provides the Army and Special Forces with a modern, light operational, military vehicle.
Policy Value
- The LOV provides an essential capability to enable the Army and Special Forces to train and to participate
in operations in the South Pacific, Asia-Pacific region and globally. LOVs are the primary means of
transport used by the Army and Special Forces in peacekeeping operations and also in peace enforcement
operations, including in support of the LAV. In addition, the LOVs may provide support for evacuation
operations in the South Pacific.
Capability Gap
- The Army’s military mobility needs are currently met by the obsolete fleet of Land Rovers. The Land Rovers
have reached the end of their economic life.
Links to Other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Light Armoured Vehicle
- Air transport
- Multi-Role Vessel
- Land Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance
- Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon
- Direct Fire Support Weapon – (Area)
Timing
- Acquisition needs to occur as soon as possible to ensure that the Army and Special Forces can continue to
meet the Government’s policy requirements.
Current Status
- The Ministry of Defence has invited tenders for three LOV variants: armoured, non-armoured military, and
special operations. Evaluation of the Best and Final Offer is nearing completion.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost $60 million - $110 million.
Multi-Role Vessel (MRV)
Description
- This project involves the purchase of a Multi-Role Vessel (MRV) to provide tactical sealift for the NZDF,
to support disaster relief and peace support operations, to conduct resource protection patrols, to provide
diplomatic/military presence, and for training. The vessel will replace HMNZS Canterbury.
Policy Value
- The MRV would be used in the South Pacific and Asia-Pacific region for contributing to peace support
operations, evacuations of personnel during civil emergencies, and disaster relief. A tactical sealift
capability, to off-load people and equipment without access to a port facility, will be particularly useful
in meeting the Government’s policy objectives in the South Pacific. The MRV will also be able to undertake
patrol and presence operations in New Zealand's EEZ and the South Pacific, and provide the Government with
an additional option for global deployments (or allow the ANZAC frigates to be deployed for global tasks).
The MRV will provide additional berths for sea training purposes.
Capability Gap
- The NZDF has no tactical sealift capability and cannot easily deploy land force personnel and equipment
into areas without port facilities. Tactical sealift vessels cannot be chartered. Without a MRV New Zealand
will continue to rely on the tactical sealift capabilities of our allies and friends in the region for
deploying to peace support operations and evacuating our nationals from trouble spots.
- The MRV, in conjunction with the frigates and the offshore patrol vessels, will provide additional capacity
for tasks such as presence, support to land operations, patrol and disaster relief, and for training.
Links to Other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Light Armoured Vehicle
- Light Operational Vehicle
- Patrol Vessels
- NZDF Helicopter Capability
- P-3 Mission Systems Upgrade
Timing
- It is intended that the MRV will be brought into service to replace Canterbury when she is retired in 2005.
Current Status
- The Ministry of Defence, in consultation with the NZDF and other departments and agencies as appropriate,
has developed functional descriptions of the capabilities required for the MRV as the basis of tender
documents. The Request for Proposals, including functional and performance specifications, was issued to
the six short-listed companies in May 2003. Responses are due in late October 2003.
Costs
- The total cost of the MRV and patrol vessels is not to exceed $500 million. The cost of the MRV is capped
at US$100 million.
Patrol Vessels
Description
- This project proposes the acquisition of patrol capabilities to meet inshore and offshore requirements for
maritime surface surveillance in New Zealand's EEZ and the South Pacific.
Policy Value
- Patrol vessels are an important element in the surveillance of New Zealand's EEZ and other maritime areas
of interest. They work in conjunction with maritime patrol aircraft to protect our natural resources and
detect and deter maritime transnational threats. Patrol vessels will meet many government agencies’ needs,
including the Ministry of Fisheries, the New Zealand Customs Service, the Department of Conservation, the
Police, the Maritime Safety Authority and others. Offshore patrol vessels will also be able to support
maritime counter-terrorism, and provide a presence in the South Pacific to support peace and stability and
help with disaster relief.
Capability Gap
- New Zealand currently has a very limited maritime surface patrol capability, provided by three frigates
(and by 2005, two ANZAC class frigates). The largest gap is in New Zealand's ability to patrol the inshore
zone around New Zealand where the majority of civilian patrol requirements – primarily Ministry of Fisheries
and Customs – are situated. There is also very limited capacity to undertake counter-terrorism operations
at sea.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Multi-Role Vessel
- P-3 Mission Systems Upgrade
- NZDF Helicopter Capability
- Special Operations Capabilities
Timing
- The introduction into service of the patrol vessels will depend upon a number of factors. These include;
the Navy’s ability to crew new vessels, the length of time required to design and build new vessels, and
capital and operating funding constraints.
Current Status
- The Ministry of Defence, in consultation with the NZDF and other departments and agencies as appropriate,
has developed functional descriptions of the capabilities required for the patrol vessels as the basis of
tender documents. The Request for Proposals, including functional and performance specifications, was
issued to the six short-listed companies in May 2003. Responses are due in late October 2003.
Costs
- The total cost of the MRV and patrol vessels is not to exceed $500 million.
Possible Options
- Final decisions on the fleet composition will not be made until proposals from industry have been evaluated.
P-3 Mission Systems Upgrade
Description
- This project proposes to upgrade the sensors and mission management systems required for the P-3 Orion
maritime patrol aircraft to conduct surface surveillance tasks.
Policy Value
- The capability provided by the P-3 is central to meeting a broad range of civilian roles and tasks and for
many functions required of the NZDF across the range of the Government’s five defence policy objectives.
The P-3 undertakes surveillance of New Zealand’s EEZ and the Southern Ocean, meets our South Pacific search
and rescue obligations, and provides surveillance assistance to Pacific Island countries. The P-3 has a
high utility for a wide range of civilian and military operations. It is one of the primary force elements
contributing to our defence relationships with Australia and Five Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA) partners.
Capability Gap
- The obsolescent mission systems onboard the P-3 are limiting availability for surveillance flights and other
missions due to repeated equipment failures. Without an upgrade, the Government may be faced with policy
failure in meeting its objectives for EEZ and Southern Ocean surveillance and assisting South Pacific
countries with surveillance of their EEZs. The Government would also have difficulty meeting commitments to
Australia and the FPDA.
Associated Projects
- The P-3 communications and navigation systems also need to be upgraded to address equipment obsolescence,
meet operational requirements, and comply with evolving international air traffic regulations. The
communications and navigation upgrade requirements are covered in a separate project.
- The P-3 also lacks self-protection capability against man-portable, infrared missiles. This deficiency is
also addressed in a separate project.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Patrol Vessels
- Multi-Role Vessel
- Land Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance
- Joint Command and Control System
- NZDF Torpedo Replacement
- Anti-Ship Missile
- P-3/C-130 Self-Protection
- P-3 Communications and Navigation Systems Upgrade
- ANZAC frigates
Timing
- The tender and evaluation process will be conducted through 2003 with the intention of signing a contract
by mid 2004. The first mission capable aircraft is expected to be in service in 2006, with fleet
modernisation complete in 2008/9.
Current Status
- On 9 December 2002 Cabinet noted the options for upgrading both the P-3 mission systems and communications
and navigation systems, and authorised the Ministry of Defence to seek proposals from industry. The Request
for Tender will be released in June 2003 to the four short-listed companies with responses due in October
2003.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost $150 million - $220 million depending on the extent of the upgrade.
C-130 Life Extension
Description
- This project proposes to extend the life of the C-130 aircraft by upgrading the avionics and aircraft
systems and undertaking some structural refurbishment work.
Policy Value
- The C-130 is a critical enabler for many NZDF operations. It provides essential air transport for the
deployment of NZDF personnel and equipment, within New Zealand, to the South Pacific, Australia, the
Asia-Pacific region and globally. Air transport is a critical capability for a number of roles and tasks,
including: supporting counter-terrorist operations; peace support operations; evacuations of New Zealanders
from trouble spots; disaster relief and humanitarian operations; supporting the civil power; and supporting
New Zealand's Antarctic programme. The C-130 has particular utility where runways are short or in poor
condition.
Capability Gaps
- The declining availability of C-130 air transport is a major capability gap that will increasingly impinge
on the NZDF’s ability to deploy and support personnel. This is due to the age of the airframe and systems.
There is a risk of policy failure, particularly in the New Zealand, South Pacific and Asia-Pacific contexts,
if this project is not carried out, as the NZDF would not have sufficient air transport to support
deployments and perform other tasks.
Associate Projects
- The C-130 communications and navigation systems also need to be upgraded to address equipment obsolescence
and comply with evolving international air traffic regulations. The communications and navigation upgrade
requirements for the C-130 are covered in a separate project.
- The C-130 also lacks an adequate self-protection system against man-portable infrared missiles. This
deficiency is also addressed in a separate project.
Links to Other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Boeing 727 Replacement
- Light Armoured Vehicles
- Light Operational Vehicles
- Special Forces Capabilities
- C-130/P-3 Self-Protection
- C-130 Communications and Navigation Systems Upgrade
- Deployment of other capabilities
Timing
- On 18 November 2002 Cabinet agreed that the C-130 should undergo a 15-year life extension and authorised
the Ministry of Defence to seek proposals from industry to complete the necessary work. The tender and
evaluation process will be conducted through 2003 with the intention of signing a contract by mid 2004.
The first mission capable aircraft is expected to be in service in 2006, with fleet modernisation complete
in 2008.
Current Status
- Defence officials are preparing the Request for Tender for release to the five short-listed companies in
early July 2003.
Costs
- A 15-year life extension is expected to cost $100 million - $170 million.
P-3 Communications and Navigation Systems Upgrade
Description
- This project involves the upgrade of the P-3 communications and navigation systems to address equipment
obsolescence, meet operational requirements and comply with evolving international air traffic regulations.
This project has been separated from the previous C-130/P-3 Communications and Navigation Systems Upgrade
project due to the differing requirements of the P-3 and C-130.
Policy Value
- The capability provided by the P-3 is central to meeting a broad range of civilian roles and tasks and for
many functions required of the NZDF across the range of the Government’s five defence policy objectives.
The P-3 undertakes surveillance of New Zealand’s EEZ and the Southern Ocean, meets our South Pacific search
and rescue obligations and provides surveillance assistance to Pacific Island countries. The P-3 has a high
utility for peace support operations, particularly peace enforcement, both regionally and globally. It is
one of the primary force elements contributing to our defence relationships with Australia and FPDA partners.
Capability Gap
- The global air traffic system is being progressively upgraded to increase system capacity and improve
flight efficiency within required flight safety standards. This upgrade is designed to enable greater use
of automated systems, with less reliance on human input and ground-based systems.
- The P-3s have systems designed for an earlier generation. They are not compliant with the new air traffic
regulations. They also have limited ability to exchange operational information and will not adequately
interface with modernised NZDF and defence partner capabilities.
- Without upgrading the P-3 communication and navigation systems, the Government will be faced with policy
failure in meeting its objectives relating to aerial surveillance.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- P-3 Mission Systems Upgrade
- Maritime surveillance
Timing
- On 9 December 2002 Cabinet noted the options for upgrading both the P-3 mission systems and communications
and navigation systems, and authorised the Ministry of Defence to seek proposals from industry. The
communications and navigation systems upgrade will be undertaken in conjunction with the P-3 Mission Systems
Upgrade project. The tender and evaluation process will be conducted through 2003 with the intention of
signing a contract by mid 2004. The first mission capable aircraft is expected to be in service in 2006,
with fleet modernisation complete in 2008/9.
Current Status
- The requirements for this project have been incorporated into the Request for Tender documents that will be
issued in June 2003.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost $60 million - $100 million.
C-130 Communications and Navigation Systems Upgrade
Description
- This project involves the upgrade of the C-130 communications and navigation systems to address equipment
obsolescence and comply with evolving international air traffic regulations. This project has been separated
from the previous C-130/P-3 Communications and Navigation Systems Upgrade project due to the differing
requirements of the P-3 and the C-130.
Policy Value
- The C-130 is a critical enabler for many NZDF operations. It provides essential air transport for the
deployment of NZDF personnel and some equipment, within New Zealand, to the South Pacific, Australia, the
Asia-Pacific region and globally. Air transport is a critical capability for a number of roles and tasks,
including: supporting counter-terrorist operations; peace support operations; evacuations of New Zealanders
from trouble spots; disaster relief and humanitarian operations; supporting the civil power; and supporting
New Zealand's Antarctic programme. The C-130 has particular utility where runways are short or in poor
condition.
Capability Gap
- The global air traffic system is being progressively upgraded to increase system capacity and improve flight
efficiency within required flight safety standards. This upgrade is designed to enable greater use of
automated systems, with less reliance on human input and ground-based systems.
- The C-130s have systems designed for an earlier generation. They are not compliant with the new air traffic
regulations. As more stringent rules and procedures are implemented, the C-130s will be increasingly
restricted in their operation, and ultimately will be unable to operate.
- Without upgrading the C-130 communication and navigation systems, the Government will be faced with policy
failure in meeting its objectives relating to air transport.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- C-130 Life Extension
- Air transport
Timing
- On 18 November 2002 Cabinet agreed that the C-130 should undergo a 15-year life extension and authorised
the Ministry of Defence to seek proposals from industry to complete the necessary work. The communications
and navigation systems upgrade will be undertaken in conjunction with the C-130 Life Extension project. The
tender and evaluation process will be conducted through 2003 with the intention of signing a contract by
mid 2004. The first mission capable aircraft is expected to be in service in 2006, with fleet modernisation
complete in 2008.
Current Status
- The requirements for this project have been incorporated into the Request for Tender documents that will be
issued in June 2003.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost $100 million - $150 million.
Boeing 727 Replacement
Description
- This project proposes to replace the Boeing 727 aircraft with commercial jet aircraft with greater range
and payload capacity.
Policy Value
- In addition to the C-130s, New Zealand requires a strategic airlift capability provided by jet transport
aircraft. This was previously provided by two Boeing 727 aircraft. Strategic airlift is an enabler for the
same roles and tasks as the C-130, particularly the deployment and sustainment of NZDF forces on overseas
deployments and the evacuation of New Zealand citizens.
Capability Gaps
- The declining availability of air transport is a major capability gap that will increasingly impinge on the
NZDF’s ability to deploy and support forces. This decline is related to both the age of the airframe and
systems, and developments in international navigation/communications requirements. There is a risk of
policy failure, particularly in the New Zealand, South Pacific and Asia-Pacific contexts, if this project
is not carried out, as the NZDF would not have sufficient air transport to support deployments and perform
other tasks.
- The growing pressures on C-130 availability are partly due to the extra use of C-130s to make up for the
declining capability of the Boeing 727. C-130 availability will decline further when aircraft are taken out
of service to undergo a life extension upgrade. In order to avoid a serious shortfall in the NZDF’s total
airlift capacity, it is desirable to have the Boeing 727 replacement in service before the C-130 life
extension programme commences.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- C-130 Life Extension
- Deployment of other NZDF capabilities
Timing
- On 18 November 2002 Cabinet agreed to purchase two Boeing 757 aircraft, including necessary modifications,
and authorised the Ministry of Defence to proceed with the acquisition process. Two Boeing 757 aircraft, in
a passenger configuration, are expected to be in service by mid 2003. Modifications (cargo door,
strengthened floor, airstairs and long range fuel tanks) necessary to meet the full capability requirements
will be undertaken over the following 18 months.
Current Status
- Two aircraft have been purchased in a passenger configuration. The first aircraft arrived in New Zealand in
early May and the second aircraft is scheduled to arrive in June. The required modifications will be made
to the aircraft in 2004.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost $100 million - $200 million.
Direct Fire Support Weapon – Area
Description
- The area direct fire support weapon (DFSW-A) project will provide land forces with the ability to engage
groups of enemy at a range of up to two kilometres.
Policy Value
- DFSW-A forms an element of any significant land force contribution to peace enforcement operations in the
Asia-Pacific and globally where land forces may face a threat on the ground. The DFSW-A is also important
in peacekeeping operations for self-protection and as a deterrent to escalation. The weapon may have some
utility in higher-threat situations in the South Pacific.
Capability Gap
- The New Zealand Army presently lacks this capability. This limits the effectiveness and self-protection
capability of land forces, particularly during peace enforcement operations in the Asia-Pacific region and
globally.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Light Armoured Vehicle
- Light Operational Vehicle
- Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon
- Land Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance
Timing
- The optimum entry into service for DFSW-A would be during 2004 to coincide with introduction of the LAV
into service.
Current Status
- On 9 December 2002 Cabinet authorised the Ministry of Defence to seek proposals from industry. The
acquisition process is now underway.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost $15 million.
Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon
Description
- This project proposes to provide protection for our land forces from armoured threats.
Policy Value
- The Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon (MRAAW) provides land forces with a medium-range capability against
armoured vehicles and other targets. It is a critical part of any contribution to peace enforcement
operations where land forces may face an armoured vehicle threat. The MRAAW also has some utility in
peacekeeping operations in the Asia-Pacific region and globally for self-protection in the event of an
escalation in the threat to ground forces.
Capability Gap
- New Zealand land forces are currently very vulnerable to threats from tanks, armoured vehicles or other
anti-armour weapons. There is a need for a capability to engage these threats at the greatest distance
practicable.
- The Army currently has a short-range anti-armour weapon, however, it is limited in range and lethality.
A medium-range anti-armour weapon is required to defeat threats at a greater range (2,300 metres) than the
current weapon.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Light Armoured Vehicle
- Light Operational Vehicle
- Direct Fire Support Weapon
- Land Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance
Timing
- The optimum entry into service for MRAAW would be during 2004 to coincide with introduction of the LAV
into service.
Current Status
- On 9 December 2002 Cabinet authorised the Ministry of Defence to acquire Javelin missiles. The acquisition
process is now underway.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost $22 million.
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