Defence Review Consultation Summary of Submissions
Responses to Submissions Form Questions (continued)
Q2: How should the Defence Force prioritise its effort across each of the strategic environments?
Consultation with partners and available capability
Twenty eight submitters expressed the view that the prioritisation of the Defence Force's effort across the various international strategic environments should be determined following consultation with partners in defence relationships, alliances and other security arrangements. Australia was clearly seen by many as the major defence partner, followed by the United States, and the United Kingdom. Some submitters wished to see closer links with the NATO alliance. A small group of submitters wanted the Government to make independent decisions about which strategic environment it prioritises and to make decisions to deploy capabilities on a case-by-case basis.
Capabilities were of interest to 93 submitters. Many wanted to see greater capabilities across all three Services as this would widen the roles the Defence Force could undertake with coalition forces. However, the ability to bring air and sea capabilities to bear in the maritime environment was again the most supported comment. This included enhancing naval strike capability and re-establishing some form of air strike and close air support capabilities. Air and sea transport were also identified by some as capabilities to be developed to assist rapid deployments and extend logistical reach.
Features essential for capabilities intended for coalition operations also drew comment. In general, capabilities should be flexible enough to be deployed anywhere necessary, able to be deployed rapidly, and be interoperable with the capabilities of coalition partners. Some submitters believed the Defence Force should prioritise specific capabilities that can be used with allies, over very broad capabilities that might be used in the future. Others believed the Defence Force should return to a more broad-based, balanced force model.
"Collaboration requires capabilities that allies can use."
"Develop capabilities to operate in all strategic environments."
"Our force elements need to be sufficiently flexible and balanced to ensure they can achieve local security tasks and make a credible contribution to global security missions."
Prioritising strategic environments
Ninety one submissions, many from Defence Force personnel, expressed the desire to see participation by the Defence Force in all strategic environments, but at the same time to prioritise the New Zealand and EEZ strategic environment first, then Australia and the South Pacific, then the Asia-Pacific region followed by the wider world. This was generally seen as a balance across local, regional and international obligations.
"Unless a significant threat against New Zealand occurs I believe greater strategic result in terms of capabilities and good relations with allies would result from supporting operations in the wider world (ie. Afghanistan)."
Others focussed on the relative balance between the closer strategic environment and the broader international context. One group of 70 submissions held the view that after New Zealand and its EEZ, the next strategic priority should be the wider world, particularly in the context of UN operations. The ability to deploy capabilities anywhere in the world would automatically include the sorts of capabilities likely to be required in the South Pacific and Asia-Pacific regions. However, a larger group of 114 submitters considered the strategic environment closer to New Zealand to be of greater priority. Contributing to multilateral deployments in remote locations over-stretched the Defence Force with the consequential risk that insufficient capabilities were on hand to assist in crises that may occur closer to home. Given the small scale of the New Zealand Defence Force, it was seen as more effective to constrain use of its capabilities to the Asia-Pacific region, for some, and for others, just the South Pacific or New Zealand's EEZ.
"A strong presence should be continued in the Pacific region, and we should continue to provide support to UN and coalition deployments and operations outside our immediate area or concern, thus proving ourselves as globally concerned citizens."
