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New Zealand scraps air combat role
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| 14 May 2001 |
PHILIP MCKINNON JDW Correspondent
Auckland
In a major statement on the future of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Prime Minister Helen Clark on 8 May confirmed speculation that her government will scrap the Royal New Zealand Air Force's (RNZAF) air combat capability. Priority will be given to the army's ability to participate in peace support operations and other multinational operations.
The announcement will see the RNZAF's 17 A-4K Skyhawk fighters and 17 Aermacchi MB-339CB jet trainers grounded by year-end. All ordinance expenditure will cease immediately. The decision follows a series of inter-departmental reports commissioned by the Labour Alliance coalition government.
"The plan is based on comprehensive reviews of New Zealand's strategic position and our requirements in terms of maritime patrol, land forces, air combat, and sea lift capability. It meets New Zealand's strategic needs, and allows us to contribute usefully to international operations where we decide to engage," said Clark.
The plan has been criticised by opposition politicians, media and retired officers who accuse the government of following an isolationist policy. While the statement does contain several moves that will enhance the NZDF's capability it has nevertheless been described as having an "air of unreality".
The Skyhawks and the Aermacchis will be offered for sale. Both Skyhawk squadrons, No 2 and No 75, as well as No 14 Squadron which operates the Aermacchis will be disbanded leaving approximately 700 personnel to be redeployed or made redundant.
The government estimates the move will save around NZ$860 million ($378 million) over 10 years that will remain within the defence budget. It notes that up to NZ$2 billion could be required for capital investment over the same period but makes no funding pledge.
With surplus capacity at RNZAF Ohakea following the scraping of the air-combat force questions are being asked about the future of RNZAF Whenuapai. Located West of Auckland Whenuapai is home to the RNZAF's six P-3K Orion, five C-130H Hercules and 14 UH-1H Iroquois fleets. With the Iroquois already under orders to relocate to Ohakea the relocation of the Orions and Hercules to the space vacated by the air combat force and the subsequent closure of Whenuapai is a strong possibility.
The decision will mean New Zealand's withdrawal from the Nowra Agreement that sees No 2 Squadron with up to six Skyhawks based at Nowra, Australia, in support of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The RNZAF provides approximately 1,350 Skyhawk hours per annum to the RAN under a contract which is effectively "cost neutral" to the RNZAF. It is reported that Australia asked for the Skyhawks to remain until 2003 when their role would be handed over to the Royal Australian Air Force's new BAE Systems Hawk Mk 127s. The decision to withdraw the Skyhawks before 2003 will force the RAN to look for a stopgap.
Clark announced that the RNZAF's six P-3Ks will receive a limited upgrade to their surface surveillance capability but any upgrade to their anti-submarine warfare systems is ruled out. Equipping the Orions with an anti-ship missile is to be investigated along with a study to determine the best method of providing short and medium range maritime patrol cover that could see the responsibility passed to another provider.
Currently the RNZAF is initiating a programme to either replace or extend the life of both the five-strong C-130H and 14-strong UH-1. Replacement options for the two Boeing 727 transports will also be considered with leased aircraft of a civil contractor filling the role seen as the most likely scenario. Clark said that these programmes would continue as a priority.
The army will retain two regular infantry battalions in a brigade structure capable of deploying a 600 to 900-strong battalion for a year or a 900 to 1,200-strong battalion for six months. As the army will not gain a third regular battalion the government acknowledges that greater reliance will be placed on Territorial Force reservists and that part-time service must be made more attractive to both territorial soldiers and their employers.
The army's equipment programme survives intact. A contract was signed earlier this year for 105 General Motors Canada LAV III vehicles, a new tactical communication system is being delivered and a request for tender has been issued for a light operational vehicle. Anti-armour and fire-support weapons and a reconnaissance and surveillance capability will be acquired.
Clark confirmed that the HMNZS Charles Upham would be sold. The former commercial roll-on/off vessel was purchased for conversion to the military role but this has not taken place. The Upham will be sold later this year at the end of its present commercial charter. Faced with the need to provide a sealift capability a study will be commissioned to see how this can best be achieved with all options, including a commercial provider being considered.
A study for the replacement for the Leander-class frigate HMNZS Canterbury, which is due to leave service in 2005, will be made to identify a suitable multipurpose, long-range, helicopter capable vessel able to operate in the Southern Ocean and New Zealand's Antarctic Ross Dependency.
Questions are being asked, however, about how the army will maintain its range of capabilities without the opportunity to train with fighters. The need to train the army's forward air controllers and Matra Mistral air-defence crews is of particular concern. The navy will also find it difficult to find maritime strike aircraft to train with as will the air force's Orions in the maritime strike co-ordination role.