Seven key principles guide the on-going process of shaping and rebuilding NZDF capabilities. These are that the NZDF be:
- Equipped and trained for combat and peacekeeping. In order to perform the key tasks required by the Government, the NZDF must be appropriately equipped and trained for both combat and peacekeeping.
- Deployable. To be able to deploy and sustain our forces, particularly over long distances, a flexible and adaptable mix of air and sealift capabilities are required.
- Able to operate alongside other forces. Exercising bilaterally with Australia and multilaterally through the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) and others builds up the NZDF’s interoperability.
- Held at appropriate levels of readiness. The NZDF must be equipped and trained at appropriate levels of readiness.
- Sustainable. Contributions to deployments may be for long periods and involve rotations of personnel and equipment. NZDF resources must be managed to ensure that commitments can be sustained.
- Up to date in technology and doctrine. It is essential that the NZDF keep abreast of military technology and other changes in military operations - the so called Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA) - but having due regard for the high costs involved, in order to retain operational effectiveness and interoperability with our friends and allies. A progressive approach to the introduction of new technology will help to smooth out the costs, and consideration may also need to be given to retaining a lesser range of capabilities.
- Fiscally sustainable. The Government wants to ensure that our defence dollars are spent wisely. The focus in rebuilding the NZDF will be in the areas of most urgent need.
The core requirement is for well-equipped, combat-trained land forces which are also able to act effectively, supported by the Navy and Air Force.
Defence continues to maintain a capital acquisition programme. That programme provides the Government’s intention for re-equipping the NZDF. It provides a comprehensive list of all planned major acquisitions with preliminary estimates, timings and priorities. It has a rolling forward focus and links the Government’s defence policy objectives with capability requirements. The programme is regularly updated and continues to be a key planning document to support the decision-making processes required for shaping the future capabilities of the NZDF. The capability acquisition programme will be subject to a complete review as part of the current Defence Review 09.
In recent years the NZDF has introduced into service a number of new capabilities, while other capabilities are either being acquired or being developed for approval.
The NZDF’s current major capability projects are outlined below. (These are as at the time of preparation of this Statement of Intent, and, as mentioned above, will be subject to review by Defence Review 09):
Capability Already Introduced into Service
- New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicle (NZ LAV): provides the NZDF with a modern, light armoured vehicle.
- Pinzgauer Light Operational Vehicle (LOV): replaced the NZDF’s ageing Land Rover fleet with a modern, light, operational vehicle.
- Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon: provides land forces with a medium-range capability against armoured threats.
- Very Low Level Air Defence Cueing System: delivers an auto-cueing and identification friend or foe capability to the Mistral air defence system.
- Defence Headquarters Building: provides a new Wellington building for Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force.
- Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD): enhances the NZDF’s IEDD disposal capability.
- Multi-Role Vessel (HMNZS Canterbury): provides a tactical sealift and amphibious capability to the NZDF as part of Project Protector.
- Boeing 727 Replacement: replaces the Boeing 727 aircraft with the Boeing 757 aircraft, which has a greater range and payload capacity (linked to Boeing 757 Modification).
Projects Approved and in the Acquisition Phase
- Boeing 757 Modification: upgrading the Boeing 757’s to meet the NZDF’s strategic airlift capability needs (linked to Boeing 727 Replacement).
- Patrol Vessels (Offshore and Inshore Patrol Vessels): acquisition of patrol vessels to meet the NZDF’s maritime surface patrolling and surveillance requirements as part of Project Protector.
- Special Operations Capability: providing new and upgraded equipment to enable the NZDF to undertake special operations.
- C-130 Hercules Life Extension: upgrading the avionics, self protection systems and structural refurbishment work on the C-130 Hercules aircraft.
- C-130 Hercules Self-Protection: upgrading the self-protection systems to provide the ability to detect and counter threats, primarily man-portable infrared missiles.
- P-3K Orion Mission Management, Communications, and Navigation Systems upgrades: upgrading the mission management, communications, and navigation systems for the P-3K Orion aircraft.
- NZDF Medium Utility Helicopter Capability: replacing the Iroquois helicopter with the NH-90 medium utility helicopter.
- NZDF Training/Light Utility Helicopter Capability: replacing the Sioux helicopter with the Augusta Westland A-109 helicopter.
- Replacement of Devonport Naval Base Fuel Installation Facilities: rationalising and modernising the marine fuel installation at the Devonport Naval Base.
- Replacement of Devonport Naval Base 60Hz Power Generation and Reticulation facilities: upgrading the 60Hz power generation and reticulation system at the Devonport Naval Base.
- Ohakea Base Taxiway Reconstruction: reconstruction work on Ohakea’s taxiways prior to the arrival of the new NH-90 medium utility helicopters.
- Whenuapai Upgrade Programme: upgrade of essential infrastructure at RNZAF Base Whenuapai.
- Ohakea Base Essential Infrastructure Programme: upgrade of essential infrastructure at RNZAF base Ohakea.
- ANZAC Class Close-In Weapon System Upgrade and Refurbishment: upgrade of the ANZAC Class frigates last line of defence and protection from anti-ship missiles, strike aircraft and fast inshore attack craft.
- Night Vision Equipment: new night vision equipment to meet the NZDF’s operational and training requirements.
- ANZAC Class Platform Systems Upgrade: this project seeks to ensure that the ANZAC Class frigates’ platform systems (that enable the ships to move, float, generate power, recover from damage and accommodate people) remain viable.
Projects Approved in Principle by the Government (subject to review by the current Defence Review)
- Advanced Pilot Training Capability (APTC): this project will consider options for the B200 King Air Replacement.
- Joint Command and Control System (JCCS): this project is intended to implement an information technology enabled command and control system for the NZDF as part of an NZDF-wide Network Enabled Capability (NEC) Strategy.
- ANZAC Class Self-Defence Upgrade: this project will upgrade the ANZAC Class frigates’ self-defence systems to protect the Naval Combat Force and ships under its immediate protection.
NZDF major capability projects under development (subject to review by the current Defence Review)
- Joint Communications Modernisation: this project proposes to modernise the NZDF’s long and medium range communications capability to maintain a reliable, integrated, world-wide communications infrastructure.
- Land Transport Capability Programme: this programme will replace the NZDF’s general service vehicle fleet, including medium and heavy vehicles, trailers and mechanical handling equipment.
- Land Command, Control, Communications and Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (LAND C4ISR): this project will create a land-based C4ISR system able to exploit the advances in data information exchange.
- NZDF Satellite Communications Capability: this project involves the acquisition of a guaranteed secure satellite communications capability for the NZDF.
- P-3K Orion Self-Protection: this project intends to equip the P-3 with a self protection capability to counter likely threats, primarily man-portable infrared (IR) missiles.
- P-3K Orion Air-to-Surface Weapons: this project intends to equip the P-3 with an air-to-surface weapon capability.
- NZDF Torpedo Replacement: this project intends to replace the torpedoes for the ANZAC frigates, P-3K Orions and SH-2G Seasprite helicopters.
- Special Operations Training Facilities: New or upgraded Special Operations training facilities.
In addition to the above projects a number of NZDF capability projects are being advanced as part of the Defence Capital Minors Programme, including:
- High Preparedness Infantry Company: this project will develop a highly prepared force element equipped and trained to meet short notice security and stability contingencies. Work is underway with Defence to scope and cost this project.
- Army Manoeuvre Range: a moving target range is a key training enabler for soldiers and commanders to practise skills necessary to conduct motorised operations. The moving target range has been completed and is being introduced into service.
- Army Engineering Equipment: improving the Army’s engineering equipment. Equipment includes Combat Engineering tractors (under acquisition), Rapid gap crossing system (under acquisition), and water purification/storage facilities (being introduced into service).
- Combat Service Support Vehicles: providing combat service support vehicles and associated equipment to support the LAVs. This project is in the acquisition and introduction into service phase.
- Direct Fire Support Weapon: providing the Army with an automatic grenade launcher and fire control systems. This project is in the development phase.
- NZDF Weapon Replacement: replacing, upgrading or acquiring new small arms-based weapons systems for the NZDF. This project has been approved by Government and an acquisition strategy is being prepared.
Previous | Contents | Next