Reports and Publications

• Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)
  • Contents
  • Preface by the Minister of Defence
  • Introduction
  • The Long-Term Development Plan and Defence Policy
  • Funding
  • Managing the LTDP
  • Projects Approved and in Acquisition Phase
  • Projects Approved in Principle by Government
  • Projects Critical to Avoid the Failure of Policy
  • Projects Essential to Avoid the Failure of Policy
  • Projects Necessary to Avoid the Failure of Policy
  • Projects that have Benefit but are Less Critical to Achieving Policy Objectives
  • Projects Previously on the LTDP and Moved to the Defence Capital Programme - Minors

Photo of the Minister of Defence, Hon Phil Goff.

Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)
(October 2006 Update)

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Preface by the Minister of Defence

I am pleased to release this third update of the Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP). It reaffirms the Government's ongoing commitment to rebuilding and re-equipping the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) as a combat capable force.

First released in 2002, the LTDP is the Government's blueprint for equipping the NZDF. The LTDP enables decisions on defence acquisitions to be prioritised and taken in the context of the Government's defence policy, and project affordability.

This updated LTDP takes account of decisions made since the last update in November 2004. It also looks to the future and the evolving needs of the NZDF.

Key features of this update are:

• reporting on the significant progress made in acquiring: the Navy's Project Protector ships, Army vehicles and weapons, and the upgrade or replacement of all the Air Force's aircraft;
• the listing of seven new projects ranging from infrastructure investment to examining the merit of satellite communications;
• more realistic acquisition estimates by including such factors like estimated inflation; and
• the inclusion for the first time of the estimated through life costs of the capability.

With the commitment of $771 million for the purchase of medium utility helicopters all the priority projects listed in the first LTDP as "Projects Necessary to Avoid the Failure of Policy" have now been progressed to contract. A significant amount of the initial funding committed by the Government in the 2001 Defence Statement is now accounted for.

With careful management of the LTDP to ensure the overall plan remains affordable, the remaining funding - about $1 billion - will fund projects which are a priority over the next five years. These include the consolidation of Air Force operational activities at Ohakea, completing the ANZAC frigate systems upgrade, continuing the renewal of the Army's transport fleet, and introducing modern communications systems into the NZDF.

Hon Phil Goff
Minister of Defence

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