Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)
(October 2008 Update)
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12. Projects Previously on the LTDP and Moved to the Defence Capital Programme - Minors
High Preparedness Infantry Company
Description
- This project, formerly known as the High Readiness Infantry Company project, will produce a high preparedness force element equipped and trained to meet short notice security and stability contingencies in the near region. It will allow an integrated capability to be stood up, addressing the equipment, infrastructure and personnel policy requirements for maintaining a high preparedness company.
Policy Value
- A high preparedness company will provide the NZDF with a land force element that is equipped and resourced to conduct evacuation, stability and security operations at short notice.
Capability Gap
- The Army does not currently maintain a high preparedness infantry company that can undertake many short-notice tasks. This represents a policy gap and impacts on deployment times. The NZDF has met current operational commitments without a permanent high preparedness force element through the improvisation of capabilities on a case by case basis, with many of the costs absorbed through baselines. This practice is generating operational risk in the short term and wider organisational atrophy in the longer term. The establishment of a high preparedness infantry company would avoid disrupting personnel numbers in wider Army units in order to meet short warning contingencies.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- C-130 Life Extension
- Boeing 757 Modification
- P-3 Mission Management, Communication, and Navigation Systems Upgrades
- Multi-Role Vessel
- Night Vision Equipment
- NZDF Weapon Replacement
Current Status
- Preliminary work is underway within Defence to scope this project.
Timing
- As an initial step a High Preparedness Platoon Group will be developed. A full High Preparedness Company Group will be generated once the High Preparedness Platoon has been established.
Costs
- This project has not been costed. Whole-of-life costs are not yet able to be calculated.
Army Manoeuvre Range
- A moving target range is a key training enabler for soldiers and commanders to practice skills necessary to conduct motorised operations. The range allows for the practice of low-level manoeuvre (up to platoon level) while engaging static and moving targets. The moving target range has been completed and is being introduced into service.
Army Engineering Equipment
- This project is improving the Army's engineering equipment and therefore its ability to support mobility of the motorised land force. Equipment includes:
- Combat engineering tractors (under acquisition)
- Rapid gap crossing system (under acquisition)
- Water purification/storage (introduced into service)
Combat Service Support Vehicles
- This project is providing additional combat service support vehicles and associated equipment to support the Light Armoured Vehicles. It has moved into the acquisition and introduction into service phase.
Direct Fire Support Weapon
- The Direct Fire Support Weapon (Area) will provide Army with an automatic grenade launcher weapon and fire control systems. This project will address a capability gap in the ability of Army’s light infantry to engage and defeat crew served weapon systems and area targets with direct fire beyond the range of section and platoon level automatic weapons. The Direct Fire Support Weapon (Area) will also contribute to the force protection of convoys and support areas.
NZDF Weapon Replacement
- This project will replace or upgrade selected current small arms based weapon systems and add new weapon systems to the NZDF. The Government has approved this project and an acquisition strategy is being prepared.
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