The Minister of Defence was briefed on the NZ Army Configuration Review (ACR) in December 2006. The Minister noted the status of the ACR and the incorporation of the review into the Army Transformation Programme (ATP). The Minister agreed that the NZDF and the Ministry of Defence should proceed by developing firm NZ Army configuration proposals via the ATP for consideration by Cabinet that would include policy and options analysis, detailed costings, and an implementation risk analysis that are in accord with agreed output milestones.
The ATP Report confirmed the earlier conclusions of the Defence Capability and Resourcing Review (DCARR) that, to meet all Government policy requirements, an Army of greater size than currently exists would be required. This would allow for the complete delivery of outputs and, in particular, for the continued sustainment of Battalion and Company Task Groups in full combat operations. The ATP has developed options that would move the Army closer to this requirement while, at the same time, continuing to meet current assigned tasks. The ATP-recommended courses of action to meet the required targets would also achieve the Government’s requirement to generate combat capable forces. The ATP-generated proposals will be submitted for consideration by Cabinet by mid-2008.
A number of changes can and will occur over the next three years in order to allow for the transformation of the NZ Army. These include the consolidation of combat support requirements, personnel growth and regeneration of combat capabilities. Personnel growth remains critical to continue to meet current operational commitments and to prepare the NZ Army to meet future tasks from Government.
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