The NZDF uses a strategic management system for corporate level reporting against strategic objectives. These objectives are supported by annually updated strategic initiatives. Progress during the year against the four main strategic objectives is shown below.
Current: Sustain current operational commitments
All operational commitments and support to Multi-Agency Operations and Tasks (MAO&T) were successfully met. Navy delivered most outputs to the level agreed to, subject to the delivery of new patrol vessels. Support to MAO&T was achieved using existing force elements. Army effectively sustained current operations in Timor-Leste, Solomon Islands and Afghanistan. Air Force was able to support operationally deployed forces and MAO&T through effective management of taskings.
Future: Be ready to meet the Government's next request
Ensuring the NZDF is able to provide effective military response options for the Government is a priority. The greatest challenges to achieving this objective come from the introduction into service of new capabilities, which means at certain times platforms may be unavailable as they are yet to be embedded; and from a high operational tempo, which by definition means NZDF people and equipment are already committed elsewhere.
Navy. The introduction of six new patrol vessels mitigates the reduced availability of Anzac frigates out until 2014, due to their Platform Support Upgrade (and the Self Defence Upgrade, if approved).
Army. Army has developed troop rotation plans to effectively sustain current operations in Timor- Leste, Solomon Islands and Afghanistan into the future. As sustaining these concurrent operations would affect the response options Army was able to provide the Government, Army has identified a range of capabilities (mainly non-sustainable) which it can provide.
Air Force. The introduction of the NH90 medium utility helicopter will address the operating limitations of the ageing Iroquois fleet.
(Refer to the Statement of Service Performance section for further details on force element preparedness.)
Ensure we have the people we need
Total personnel numbers have increased in all three Services. This is a result of recruiting initiatives and recent significant reductions in attrition rates. However, there are still challenges within critical trades and at certain experience levels. The Services have responded by implementing initiatives targeted at specific critical trades, including Navy marine technicians, Army logisticians and Air Force avionic technicians. Initiatives include the introduction of the new military remuneration system, use of reserves, lateral recruitment, and reviewing trade structures.
Equip our forces to meet current commitments and be ready to meet the Government’s next request
During the year, Navy continued with the operational release for the multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury and took delivery of four new inshore patrol vessels. Delays in the delivery of the final two vessels that form Project Protector, the two new offshore patrol vessels, are currently being managed. Army has sufficient equipment to sustain current operations, and during the year purchased additional night vision and communications equipment to enhance capability. Purchases of water treatment equipment, combat engineer tractors and a new gap crossing system are also planned in the future.
During the year, Air Force successfully introduced into service the upgraded Boeing 757 aircraft and an ongoing review is being conducted into the supportability of Seasprite helicopters. Although there have been some delays by contractors working on other Air Force capability upgrades, the aim is that, by 2014, the RNZAF will have introduced 28 new or upgraded aircraft across its six fleets.
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