The annual outputs of the NZDF fall into two categories:
- performing predictable or routine tasks, such as providing policy advice or continuing to support existing peace support operations; and
- maintaining an ability to respond to potential security events.
The level of preparedness required for new events is specified in the NZDF Output Plan, which details the level of military capability that must be maintained against the ECs depicted on the previous page. The ECs provide the guidance to determine the Operational Level of Capability (OLOC) required to conduct such military tasks effectively and safely. Because of the high costs of maintaining OLOC, the NZDF is funded to routinely maintain a lower Directed Level of Capability (DLOC). This allows force elements to be raised to OLOC within specified warning times, before being deployed on operations.
Raising forces to OLOC generally includes additional training and personnel preparation appropriate to the environment and task, additional equipment maintenance, any necessary upgrades to military equipment, and logistic support planning. Additional costs for OLOC generation and operational deployments are covered either by offsets within the existing vote (e.g., where operational tasks fulfil some of the routine DLOC training requirements); or by supplementary funding under Output Expense 16 – Operationally Deployed Forces.
Preparedness
The NZDF evaluates its ability to respond to potential security events through the Operational Preparedness and Reporting System (OPRES). This system assesses the preparedness of all force elements for future security events against four key measurement areas - readiness, combat viability, deployability, and sustainability. (These terms are amplified in the following table and explained in the glossary).
Supporting these measures are key performance indicators (KPIs). The table shows the indicative KPIs and performance measures used for all force elements. These are applicable to Output Expenses 2 to 14 relating to the Navy, Army and Air Force, which appear later in this section. Specific performance measures are used for Output Expenses 1, 15, 16, and those for Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand.
The table is indicative, as the actual measures used by each of the Services do vary slightly; this reflects that the Navy and Air Force are primarily based on platforms, whereas the Army is based more on personnel.
The results of these measures are the prime source to report the operational preparedness for each force element in Output Expenses 2 to 14, using a performance rating scale. Supplementing this source are the results of a broad range of evaluations, including assessments carried out during military exercises, competitions, routine tests of achievement and proficiency, and operational, technical and administrative inspections. Whenever possible, the results of external evaluations by members of allied forces are included in these assessments.
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