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 - 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 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 capital programme will be subject to a complete review as part of the current Defence Review.
Over recent years a programme to shape and rebuild the NZDF’s capabilities has resulted in a number of new or upgraded capabilities being introduced into service including:
- 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.
- New Zealand Light Armoured Vehicle (NZ LAV): provides the NZDF with a modern, light armoured vehicle.
- Project Protector (Amphibious Sealift Ship HMNZS Canterbury and Offshore Patrol Vessels HMNZ Ships Wellington and Otago and Inshore Patrol Vessels HMNZ Ships Hawea, Pukaki, Rotoiti, and Taupo, provides a tactical sealift and amphibious capability to the NZDF, and patrol vessels to meet the NZDF’s maritime surface patrolling and surveillance requirements.
- Boeing 727 Replacement and Boeing 757 Modification: Boeing 727 aircraft replaced by modified Boeing 757 aircraft, which have a greater range and payload capacity.
- Improvised Explosive Device Disposal (IEDD): enhances the NZDF’s domestic IEDD disposal capability.
- Defence Headquarters Building: provides a new building in Wellington for Headquarters New Zealand Defence Force.
- 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.
In addition, a number of key projects are under acquisition and when delivered will further enhance NZDF capability:
- C-130 Hercules Life Extension and Self Protection Upgrades: upgrading the avionics, self protection systems and structural refurbishment work on the C-130 Hercules aircraft.
- P-3K Orion Mission Systems Upgrade: upgrading the mission management, communications, and navigation systems for the P-3K Orion aircraft.
- Medium Utility Helicopter Capability: replacing the Iroquois helicopter with the NH-90 medium utility helicopter.
- Training/Light Utility Helicopter Capability: replacing the Sioux helicopter with the AgustaWestland A-109 helicopter.
- Special Operations Capability: providing new and upgraded equipment to enable the NZDF to better undertake special operations.
- Very Low Level Air Defence Cueing System: delivers an auto-cueing and identification friend or foe capability to the Mistral air defence system.
- 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.
- 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.
- Ohakea Base Taxiway Reconstruction: reconstruction work on Ohakea’s taxiways prior to the arrival of the new NH-90 medium utility helicopters.
- Ohakea Base Essential Infrastructure Programme: upgrade of essential infrastructure at RNZAF base Ohakea.
- Whenuapai Base Upgrade Programme: upgrade of essential infrastructure at RNZAF Base Whenuapai.
In combination with the above major capital projects, a number of minor capability programmes and projects are being managed, including:
- 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 is in use.
- 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 (introduced into service).
- Combat Service Support Vehicles: providing combat service support vehicles and associated equipment to support the LAVs. This project is in the 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 / acquisition phase.
- Night Vision Equipment (NVE): new night vision equipment to meet the NZDF’s operational and training requirements. Initial sets have been introduced into service and subsequent sets are in the development phase.
- NZDF Weapon Replacement: replacing, upgrading or acquiring new small arms-based weapons systems for the NZDF. This programme is in the development phase.
Projects Approved in Principle by the Government are:
- Advanced Pilot Training Capability (APTC): this project is considering options for the B200 King Air replacement.
- Joint Command and Control System (JCCS): this programme is intended to implement an information technology enabled command and control system for the NZDF.
- 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.
The Government is undertaking a wide ranging review of New Zealand’s defence requirements. The Review will culminate in the publication of a Defence White Paper in 2010. It is expected that following the publication of the Defence White Paper, a revised Defence Capital Development Plan (formerly the Defence Long-Term Development Plan) will be released outlining the future capabilities the NZDF will require in order to meet the Government’s defence and security policy objectives.
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