Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)
(October 2006 Update)
9. Projects Necessary to Avoid the Failure of Policy
ANZAC Class Close-In Weapon System Upgrade and Refurbishment
Description
- This project proposes to upgrade the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) which provides a last line of defence and protection from Anti-Ship Missiles (ASM) and strike aircraft. It also has the potential to provide an effective defence against Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC).
Policy Value
- In order to meet policy objectives, the ANZAC class frigates must be capable of operating in environments where there is a risk of attack from ASM and FIAC. To be able to operate in such environments without undue risk or constraint, the frigates must be equipped with a level of self-defence against such threats. The CIWS provides a substantial proportion of this self-defence capability.
Capability Gaps
- The CIWS system needs to be refurbished to rectify capability shortfalls, and should be upgraded to counter advances in the ASM threat and increasing numbers of FIAC attacks. The Phalanx system manufacturer has produced two sequential upgrade packages known as Block 1A, which addresses advances in the ASM threat; and Block 1B, which provides a capability to engage surface targets such as FIAC. Block 1B incorporates Block 1A.
- Availability of the current system is currently well below the level needed to support operations in other than low threat environments, and can be expected to deteriorate further.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- ANZAC Class Self Defence Upgrade
Timing
- The project should begin as soon as possible.
Costs
- The CIWS Block 1B upgrade is expected to cost between $20 - $25 million. The estimated life, in service through life costs, and the total cost of ownership are to be confirmed.
P-3 Air-to-Surface Weapons
Description
- This project proposes to equip the P-3 aircraft with an anti-ship missile capability.
Policy Value
- Equipping the P-3 aircraft with an anti-ship missile capability would significantly enhance the value of these aircraft in fulfilling policy roles relating to the territorial sovereignty of New Zealand and Australia, playing an appropriate role in the maintenance of security in the Asia-Pacific region, and participating in the Five Power Defence Arrangements.
Capability Gap
- Disbanding the Air Combat Force has resulted in the loss of the maritime strike capability. The P-3s provide targeting information but do not have an anti-ship capability. The inability to take immediate action against surface threats limits the P-3s ability to provide force protection for New Zealand naval vessels, particularly the frigates and, in future, the MRV.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- P-3 Mission, Communications, and Navigation Systems Upgrades
- Multi-Role Vessel
- ANZAC Frigates
Timing
- The timing of this project is dependent on the completion of the P-3 mission systems upgrade. The modification required to enable the P-3 to launch anti-ship missiles is relatively straightforward and could be done during routine maintenance. Before a missile capability is added, the mission systems upgrade would be necessary to provide sensors capable of locating and properly identifying targets.
Current Status
- A study will be conducted in due course to determine the appropriate weapons for the P-3.
Costs
- This project is not yet costed. The estimated life, in service through life costs, and the total cost of ownership are to be confirmed.
NZDF Torpedo Replacement
Description
- This project proposes to replace the torpedoes for the ANZAC frigates, P-3 Orions and SH-2G Seasprite helicopters to maintain the ANZAC's basic self-defence capability against sub-surface threats and the P-3s area anti-submarine capability.
Policy Value
The role of the Naval Combat Force is to meet military tasks, particularly in support of the Government's regional and global objectives. The ANZACs are critical to the protection of Australia/New Zealand territorial sovereignty, for participating in Five Power Defence Arrangements activities, supporting our relationships with regional partners, and undertaking peace support operations in the Asia-Pacific and beyond. These environments contain significantly higher threats to surface vessels than exist in New Zealand's immediate environs, including air and sub-surface threats. Torpedoes provide a basic self-defence capability against sub-surface threats, and enable the ANZACs to be safely deployed in these environments.
- The P-3s require a torpedo replacement to maintain their current capability to fulfil the above policy roles.
Capability Gap
The current torpedoes will reach the end of their life around 2008/9, limiting the ability of the ANZACs to be deployed to areas beyond the South Pacific where sub-surface threats may be encountered. This would impact most significantly on the ability of the ANZACs to provide support for peace enforcement operations. It would also limit the utility of the ANZACs as a contribution to the protection of New Zealand/Australia territorial sovereignty.
- The absence of a torpedo capability will mean that the P-3 aircraft will be unable to provide area protection for New Zealand naval vessels against submarine threats.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- ANZAC Class Self-Defence Upgrade
- Multi-Role Vessel
- P-3 Air-to-Surface Weapons
- P-3 Mission Systems Upgrade
Timing
- The current Mark 46 Mod 2 torpedo will not be supportable beyond about 2008/9. A replacement will need to be in service before the current torpedoes become unsupportable.
Current Status
- Work is underway to consider options to replace the current torpedo. A replacement is not likely to be affordable until 2015.
Costs
- This project has not yet been costed. The estimated life, in service through life costs, and the total cost of ownership are to be confirmed.
ANZAC Class Platform Systems Upgrade
Description
- This project seeks to ensure that ANZAC class platform systems remain viable. Platform systems, as distinct from combat systems, provide those elements of a warship's capability that enable it to move, float, generate power, recover from damage, and accommodate people.
Policy Value
- A platform systems refit is required to ensure that the ANZACs remain capable of meeting policy objectives. The role of the Naval Combat Force is to meet military tasks, particularly in support of the Government's regional and global objectives. The ANZACs are critical to protection of Australia/New Zealand territorial sovereignty, for participating in Five Power Defence Arrangements activities, supporting our relationships with regional partners, and undertaking peace support operations in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Capability Gap
- Heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems, propulsion diesel engines, gas turbines, automatic generating equipment, and main machinery control systems will become obsolete and impossible to support. Other systems will simply wear out.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- ANZAC Class Self Defence Upgrade
Timing
- This project can be expected to commence around 2008/2009.
Current Status
- Work is proceeding to determine the optimum schedule for platform system replacement and options are being studies.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost between $50 - $60 million, spread evenly over the period 2008 - 2010. The estimated life is 16 years, in service through life costs are $130 million, and the total cost of ownership is $185 million.
NZDF Satellite Communications Capability
Description
- This project involves the acquisition of a strategic communications capability, particularly X-Band, by engagement in the NZLSAT project. Defence engagement will be by the purchase of dedicated transponders on the satellite for NZDF usage.
Policy Value
- Strategic communications in the form of high band-width capability is required to support NZDF deployments. The NZDF will be able to provide guaranteed secure communications to its operational deployments, in a manner which is interoperable with potential coalition partners, particularly Australia. The NZDF will also be able to provide immediately available strategic communications into the Pacific to support whole of Government operations, such as for humanitarian assistance.
Capability Gap
- Currently the NZDF does not have a guaranteed secure strategic communications capability. To support existing missions, satellite capability is organised on an ad-hoc basis, using commercial or coalition partner satellites. Neither system is able to guarantee secure, uninterrupted capability. The future growth of the NZDF's command and control capability will require significantly more secure bandwidth than currently used.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project will support the Joint Command and Control Systems and provide improved information flow for the P3 aircraft, all RNZN ships and Army components. Ground stations for communications will be procured through the Joint Communications Modernisation project and the Army Tactical Trunk Communications project.
Timing
- Contract signature with NZLSAT is required between December 2006 and March 2007. The satellite will be launched in 2010 and has a scheduled life of 15 years.
Current Status
- Defence is conducting a cost-benefit evaluation of the proposal.
Costs
- This project is expected to cost $100 million. More detailed costs will be available once the specifications have been confirmed. There are options for either direct acquisition (approx $100M) or annual leasing (approx $20M per year). The estimated life, in service through life costs, and the total cost of ownership are to be confirmed.
General Service Vehicle Fleet Replacement
Description
- This will replace the Army's general service vehicle fleet including medium and heavy vehicles, trailers and mechanical handling equipment.
Policy Value
- The general service fleet is a critical enabler for land force operations. This fleet sustains and resupplies forces with fuel, ammunition, rations, personnel and spares and provides maintenance support. The fleet has utility in meeting a wide range of policy objectives.
Capability Gap
- The current fleet of general service vehicles and trailers are approaching the end of their economic life and will require replacement.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Light Armoured Vehicles
- Light Operational Vehicles
- Multi-Role Vessel
- Combat Service Support Vehicles
Timing
- It is proposed to replace the vehicles beginning in 2011.
Current Status
- Preliminary work is currently underway within Defence to scope this project.
Costs
The estimated cost of this project is around $550 million. The estimated life, in service through life costs, and the total cost of ownership are still to be confirmed.
