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  • NZDF White Paper Released

    The New Zealand Defence Force White Paper has been released earlier today in Wellington.

    You can link to it from here:



    Of note their are a number of things of specific interest. Following the release of the DWP the DefMin undertook a number of press interviews to clarify the at times vaguness of the reports language. In recent months there have been also a number of media softeners from the DefMin regarding expectations, intentions and possibilities. Not all that information is explicitly highlighted in the DWP. Thus in a nutshell, this is what is to be going down.

    NZ Army

    Reduction of operational NZLAV's to 90 from 105.

    Re-organisation of the Army to be centred around 3 Infantry Battalions of 800 personnel with 3 Land Support Groups. (Thus an increase of another Regular Infantry Battalion). The Army to be able to sustain a three year deployment into a medium intensity conflict scenario.

    An increase in specialist Engineer / Construction Squadrons.

    The re-activation of the former Rangers Company to Support the NZSAS / 1RNZIR in the Green Role.

    An increase in size of the 1 NZSAS Group. (The DWP is not clear if this means means a third Sabre Squadron.)

    Rounding out of the newly raised 1 Commando Squadron (Black Role) to full establishment.

    Retention of a Artillery / Fire Support Capability. (The 777 is mooted to replace the Hamel but not until the Hamel gets one more upgrade to last it out until the end of the decade)

    Retention of the 6 Terroritorial Battalions which will be officially renamed Army Reserve. (Exact future role yet to be defined until a further Reserve Forces Study is completed early next year, but likely to include NZ / Pacific disaster relief roles and a capability to deploy into the Pacific to undertake low-end conflict scenario's and humanitarian support missions.

    Improved deployable Combat Medical Capability.

    Networked Land Command and Control System

    Land Transport Fleet Upgrade


    RNZN

    ESSM and midlife upgrade to go ahead in the Frigates as a priority.

    Around NZ$2 Billion (2010 fye) to be allocated towards a frigate capability for the eventual replacement of the Anzacs. The question is will that be two very high end multi-role Anzac II's of 7000t at that price or three of a less capable general purpose Frigates such as the Danish F-370 class. This is to happen by 2030.

    The replacement of the HMNZS Endeavour with a Joint Support Ship to increase Sealift Capability as well as provide for AOR.

    Replacement of the HMNZS Manawanui and HMNZS Resloution with a larger Littoral Warfare Support Vessel (Green Water) to act act as a platform for MCM / Dive and Maritime Support Roles, including having enough speed to act as a further Patrol Vessel when required.

    Sensor and Armament upgrade for the HMNZS Wellington and HMNZS Otago. (Rumours are Mini Typhoon is a possibility)


    RNZAF

    Replacement of both the Boeing 757's and five C-130-H's with possibly a larger Transport Aircraft before the end of this decade. (DefMin has reported NZ$1.2-1.6 Billion (2010 fye) for this project by 2020)

    The purchase of initially 3-4 extra Maritime Patrol Aircraft with a further tranche likely later in the decade. (Rumoured to be the CASA 235 or 295 with Mission Pallet System as the aircraft will also likely to act as a multi-engine trainer and offer light transport capability.)

    An extra three Agusta A-109 LUH's, to add to the current five ordered, but no more NH-90 TTH's.

    Advanced Pilot Trainer will be announced in March 2011. (Note that there has been lobbying by Defence Analysts and Commentators that the Macchi MB-339's currently stored should be upgraded for this role.

    The Seasprite naval helicopters to be replaced or upgraded. (Their are rumours flying around that the ill-fated RAN SH-2G(A) Seasprites may well be stripped of their problematic avionics and restored into the more simplified SH-2G(NZ) version. The RNZAF recently bought 6 older F models as INST frames for ground training.)

    The P3-K2 to get an upgrade to get back ASW capability and likely stand-off A/Shp missile. Likely to be replaced with the P-8 and/or an appropriate high altitude long range UAV - Global Hawk and engagement in BAMS has been mentioned in DefMin interviews at a cost of up to $1.6 Billion (2010 fye).


    Defence Force HQ

    Networked ISR / Satellite Capability for Wide Area Maritime Surveillance and Reconnaisance.

    Deployable Operational HQ

    Forward Surgical Team

    Rationalisation of non essential defence bases and housing.

    Consolidation of Major Defence bases. Linton Army Camp will shift to an expanded RNZAF Ohakea to form the main Joint Services Base or Defence "Hub". Further Consolidation is envisaged medium to long term at RNZAF Auckland and Burnham Army Camp in the South Island. Waiouru Camp and Tekapo Camp, the large area training bases will be retained but drastically reduced in permanent personnel. Trentham and Burnham will become templates for Public, Private Partnerships in terms of civilian defence support elements.

    Establishment of a Defence Advisory Board to offer independent advice to the DefMin.

    Increased powers and responsibility to the CDF over the operational and fiscal output of the NZDF.

    A drive for increased inter-operability with the ADF and other Defence Organisations such as FPDA and NATO.


    Generally a very good review. By sharpeneing up the management of the NZDF and reallocating resources and personnel following a value for money exercise the NZDF should have over NZ$3 Billion per annum available in the Defence Budget. To the die-hards all that is missing from this plan is a resurrection of an air combat capability. That may yet happen once the business case for whether an avionics upgrade to the stored 17 Aermachi Jets as Advanced Trainers / Light Attack is do-able cost wise compared to a cheaper prop flatform.
    Last edited by Te Kaha; 2 November 2010, 14:37.

  • #2
    At least it looks as if it was formulated by military people rather than accountants and residents associations.
    Great to see it thinking as far ahead as 2030.
    The key(from our PoV at least) is that you can reduce the number of locations provided you have the ability to move people or equipment around the territory easily.
    Deployable Operational HQ
    ....
    Imagine the panic if many of the career colonels in Parkgate or DFHQ had to get their boots dirty...


    Catch-22 says they have a right to do anything we can't stop them from doing.

    Comment


    • #3
      Read it last night. Very good synopsis and editorial Te Kaha!

      Do you have links to information regarding your defence budget subheadings?
      "The Question is not: how far you will take this? The Question is do you possess the constitution to go as far as is needed?"

      Comment


      • #4
        Very interesting one this.

        Attached Files
        "The Question is not: how far you will take this? The Question is do you possess the constitution to go as far as is needed?"

        Comment


        • #6
          Thanks for that.

          Can you provide more information on the "HUB" concept? Whats actually envisioned? Co-location or integration between the services (Airborne?)
          "The Question is not: how far you will take this? The Question is do you possess the constitution to go as far as is needed?"

          Comment


          • #7
            For FYI of people interested

            Linton and Ohakea



            Attached Files
            "The Question is not: how far you will take this? The Question is do you possess the constitution to go as far as is needed?"

            Comment


            • #8
              Originally posted by Goldie fish View Post
              At least it looks as if it was formulated by military people rather than accountants and residents associations.
              Great to see it thinking as far ahead as 2030.
              The key(from our PoV at least) is that you can reduce the number of locations provided you have the ability to move people or equipment around the territory easily.
              ....
              Imagine the panic if many of the career colonels in Parkgate or DFHQ had to get their boots dirty...
              Well MGEN Martyn Dunne (Rtd) I understand had a big influence on it. He was the lead member of the DWP panel. Former JFCOMNZ and CO of 1 NZSAS so the SF element did very well out of it. Some of the IMO folk who were in ET might be familiar with him as he was 2IC of Interfet under Cosgrove as well as the Kiwi SNO underwhich the Irish contingent were imbedded. Short Bloke, very focused and to be honest a little scary. Maybe that was the approach - he intimidated the bejesus out of the pencilheads and got his way ....

              Ireland should have no problems rationalising its defence estate and assets. It is after all a single Island and quite a bit geographically smaller than us. Its all about taking resources from the tail so as to be able to sharpen up the teeth. You dont really need micro-establishments in every two horse town for a handful of Reservists. Guys in my town drive 100 minutes for Parade in Auckland with the Rockies and Tauranga for 6 Batt.

              Of course there are already some complaints filtering through. One of which is some of the boys at 2LFG at Linton which is nice and handy to the city of Palmerston are going to be shipped off to the miserable cesspit called Bulls, where Ohakea AFB the site of the new Hub is. However, it is all for the common good.

              Comment


              • #9
                Originally posted by ZULU View Post
                Thanks for that.

                Can you provide more information on the "HUB" concept? Whats actually envisioned? Co-location or integration between the services (Airborne?)
                Intergration as much as possible. Shared admin support - outsourced to cheaper civilians. If you are not doing a front end military or specialist role and you are in uniform then you can foxtrot oscar under the new regime.

                Transport and Choppers will be at OH and they are the Armys battletaxi so getting them to work nice and cosy like makes sense.

                By the way the new hanger has been built at 2 OÇlock in that aerial photo, right about where that small former museum is - the one with the red roof.

                They are also going to buy one of the adjacent farms to allow the the Linton boys and their bad habits some room. Of course the pay off is selling the land at Linton to developers to pay for it.
                Last edited by Te Kaha; 2 November 2010, 17:34.

                Comment


                • #10
                  Originally posted by Te Kaha View Post

                  Of course there are already some complaints filtering through. One of which is some of the boys at 2LFG at Linton which is nice and handy to the city of Palmerston are going to be shipped off to the miserable cesspit called Bulls, where Ohakea AFB the site of the new Hub is. However, it is all for the common good.
                  Haha, remembering scenes from the Hudsucker proxy and Hot fuzz! "The greater good!"
                  "The Question is not: how far you will take this? The Question is do you possess the constitution to go as far as is needed?"

                  Comment


                  • #11
                    Originally posted by Te Kaha View Post

                    They are also going to buy one of the adjacent farms to allow the the Linton boys and their bad habits some room. Of course the pay off is selling the land at Linton to developers to pay for it.
                    That was for relocation of the C-130s was it? Cant remember.

                    Will the land at linton give the return? It looks to be a small bit out of the town?
                    "The Question is not: how far you will take this? The Question is do you possess the constitution to go as far as is needed?"

                    Comment


                    • #12
                      [







                      Originally posted by Goldie fish View Post
                      At least it looks as if it was formulated by military people rather than accountants and residents associations.
                      Great to see it thinking as far ahead as 2030.
                      The key(from our PoV at least) is that you can reduce the number of locations provided you have the ability to move people or equipment around the territory easily.
                      That point was brought up in PwC in 1998, barracks closures but improved vehicle transport fleet (including APCs) and medium lift helicopters.

                      Comment


                      • #13
                        Do I have this right?

                        The NZ army have 5,040 regulars and 1,803 reserves (excluding HQ JFNZ and HQ NZDF)... but there is only 1 regular infantry battalion???????

                        2 Land Force Gp has the following:
                        Cavalry Bn
                        4 x Reserve Bn Gps
                        Arty Regt
                        Engr Regt
                        Sigs Regt
                        Logs Bn
                        Medical Bn
                        MP Pln (element of Force Coy)

                        3 Land Force Gp has the following:
                        Armd Recce Unit (Bn?)
                        Light Inf Bn
                        2 x Reserve Bn Gps
                        Engr Tp (of the above Regt)
                        Sigs Sqn (of the above Regt?)
                        Logs Bn
                        Med Centre (of the above Bn)
                        MP Pln (element of Force Coy)

                        Doesn't look conventionally organisationed (or all arms) to me!

                        Comment


                        • #14
                          Originally posted by ZULU View Post
                          That was for relocation of the C-130s was it? Cant remember.

                          Will the land at linton give the return? It looks to be a small bit out of the town?
                          The C130's are to stay at Whenuapei for the time being. which under the last Govt was to close. It wont close anytime soon due to it being in the new PM's electorate.

                          The Linton land I hear this morning could be of interest to the nearby Massey University or Crown Research Organisations.

                          The extra farmland next to OH will be for the 2LFG relocation from Linton.

                          Comment


                          • #15
                            Originally posted by DeV View Post
                            Do I have this right?

                            The NZ army have 5,040 regulars and 1,803 reserves (excluding HQ JFNZ and HQ NZDF)... but there is only 1 regular infantry battalion???????

                            2 Land Force Gp has the following:
                            Cavalry Bn
                            4 x Reserve Bn Gps
                            Arty Regt
                            Engr Regt
                            Sigs Regt
                            Logs Bn
                            Medical Bn
                            MP Pln (element of Force Coy)

                            3 Land Force Gp has the following:
                            Armd Recce Unit (Bn?)
                            Light Inf Bn
                            2 x Reserve Bn Gps
                            Engr Tp (of the above Regt)
                            Sigs Sqn (of the above Regt?)
                            Logs Bn
                            Med Centre (of the above Bn)
                            MP Pln (element of Force Coy)

                            Doesn't look conventionally organisationed (or all arms) to me!
                            There are two infantry Battalions 1/1 RNZIR (Cavalry) and 2/1 RNZIR (Light Infantry). Both are a rifle company down. Why the organisation looks to be a little strange is that over the last 10 years the Army was allowed to atrophy and back in 1999/2000 3 LFG got savaged by cuts. The Regular Force in fact got down to 4600 hundred at one stage. The target I have heard is to get it back up to 5400 quick smart and have full establishment on a conventional two LFG structure. Then above 6000 within 5 years. With CSS roles at base done by non-uniformed staff as much as possible allowing more for more of what the DefMin calls frontline staff. Effectively a third composite infantry battalion (Cavalry / Light Infantry mix) is to be created.

                            Comment

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