Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)
(June 2003 Update)
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Projects Necessary to Avoid the Failure of Policy
NZDF Helicopter Capability
Description
- This project proposes to replace the Iroquois utility and Sioux training helicopters with a capability that
meets the NZDF’s contemporary needs.
Policy Value
- Utility helicopters provide essential support to the Army, particularly in the South Pacific and in peace
support operations. Helicopters are important for supporting police operations in New Zealand. In addition,
utility helicopters are able to provide a range of support functions within New Zealand and the South
Pacific, such as search and rescue and disaster relief.
- The introduction into service of the MRV will create an additional role for utility helicopters in
supporting the Army ashore, especially in the South Pacific.
Capability Gap
- The Iroquois no longer provide the capability required by a modern, mobile land force. These 36-year-old
aircraft are becoming increasingly difficult to support because of their age. With helicopters assuming
greater importance for mobility and tasks in peace support operations, there is a risk that the Army will
be unable adequately to perform its policy roles and tasks if the Iroquois is not upgraded or replaced to
meet current requirements.
- The Sioux training helicopter is of 1950s vintage and is inadequate to meet training needs. It does not
provide an adequate step in pilot training progression from the Airtrainer aircraft to operational utility
and maritime helicopters.
Links to Other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Special Operations Capabilities
- Multi-Role Vessel
- Army capabilities
Timing
- The Iroquois is becoming increasingly difficult and costly to support. The United States military has begun
to withdraw support of the Iroquois to foreign owners in advance of retiring that aircraft from United
States Army service by 2004. As the Iroquois no long adequately meets NZDF capability requirements, there
will be some operational limitations until the aircraft is replaced, although these will be manageable. A
replacement should be in service around 2007.
- There is some urgency to replace the Sioux training helicopter. It dates from the 1950s and does not provide
an adequate training capability for converting pilots to helicopter operations. This has caused difficulties
in maintaining training standards and placed an increased burden on the Iroquois, as extra training time is
required on the Iroquois to compensate for the deficiencies of the Sioux.
Current Status
- Defence has commenced a project to identify the policy and operational requirements for an NZDF helicopter
capability and then develop costed options. Once the costed options have been developed, a paper will be
brought forward for Cabinet consideration in August 2003.
Costs
- Replacement of the Iroquois is expected to cost $400-550 million. Replacement of the Sioux with a dedicated
training helicopter is expected to cost around $11 million. The lower end of the cost range is based on 12
helicopters at the lower end of the capability range replacing the 14 Iroquois.
Special Operations Capability
Description
- This project provides the Army with equipment to undertake special operations.
Policy Value
- Army special operations capabilities have utility in meeting a range of the Government’s defence policy
objectives and also in supporting policing operations in New Zealand and the South Pacific.
Links to Other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Light Operational Vehicles (Special Forces variant)
- Land Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance
- NZDF Helicopter Capability
- C-130 Life Extension
Current Status
- Work is underway to identify the immediate capability requirements that will make up this project and the
Government will be able to consider options by the end of August 2003.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost around $10 million.
Joint Command & Control System
Description
- The Joint Command and Control System (JCCS) project is a programme to implement an automated command and
control system for the NZDF. This IT system will collect, collate, process, display, store, disseminate and
protect command and control information in near real-time.
Policy Value
- Joint command and control is an enabling capability for all of the policy roles and tasks required of the
NZDF. Joint command and control enables elements from all three services to work together efficiently and
effectively by enhancing decision-making processes.
Capability Gap
- The NZDF’s current command and control systems are largely manual and paper based. Experience in recent
operations and exercises have shown that the NZDF system is dated and inefficient. This has impacted on the
effectiveness of the Joint Force Headquarters. The slower and less accurate decision making cycle currently
available to commanders is likely to lead to policy failure as it becomes increasingly difficult for the
NZDF to plan operations and effectively co-ordinate its own operations.
Links to Other Capabilities
- The JCCS is an overarching capability that contributes to all NZDF outputs.
- While the JCCS will give the NZDF the ability to manage command and control information, the project does
not provide the ability to communicate data. The JCCS will therefore depend on the ability of a suitable
communications infrastructure, part of which will be provided by the:
- Joint Communications Modernisation
- Army Tactical Trunk Communications
- These two projects will, however, be directly influenced by the JCCS as the JCCS will largely determine
the requirements for future improvements to the communications infrastructure.
Timing
- A Project Definition Study (PDS) to investigate, provide advice and options, and make recommendations on a
JCCS to meet the NZDF’s command and control and interoperability requirements commenced in November 2002.
The PDS is planned for completion in October 2003, following which proposals will be brought forward to
Cabinet.
Current Status
- The joint NZDF/MoD project team for the JCCS is currently managing the PDS acquisition process under State
Services Commission and Treasury guidelines for major IT projects.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost $15 million - $30 million.
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