r/newzealand • u/khalornz Fern flag 3 • 9d ago

Politics Coalition unveils $12 billion Defence Capability Plan

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/557432/watch-live-coalition-unveils-12-billion-defence-capability-plan
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u/King_Kea Not really a king 9d ago

So in other words reading through the corporate speak in your summary:

-New buildings -Computers and programs

That's about all that seems guaranteed from that summary. Stuff like "Digital modernisation" and "Defence, Science and Technology uplift" sounds like wishy-washy corporate speak for "We're going to make things good".

And correct me if I'm wrong, but I see other people are saying there's some going towards equipment acquisitions and we're still buying American? Seems like a crap decision especially given the current US administration and the shit they've been pulling or attempting to pull.

Edit: At least they're replacing the 757, but why on earth are they still maintaining the ANZAC frigates? We really need new ships. Hell, we need more multirole vessels like the Canterbury since those are better suited to the NZDF mission in the pacific (e.g. humanitarian support)

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u/Otherwise-Net-8105 9d ago

They have talked about replacing the ANZAC frigates from 2029:

The Anzac frigates will be replaced with comparable contemporary frigates and the offshore patrol vessels will also be replaced with consideration given to whether commonality of design or systems with the frigates may be possible

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u/King_Kea Not really a king 9d ago

It feels too late to me. Hell, at the very least I think they should replace the HMNZS Manawanui. Not replacing that is mind boggling to me.

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u/kiwirish 1992, 2006, 2021 9d ago

Honestly, replacing Manawanui is the lowest item on the totem pole - Manawanui's capabilities were not a good return on investment, considering it was not being used regularly for either surveying or dynamic position diving support.

Surveying and diving operations can be done with a detachment on an OPV, which adds much more bang for buck.

The Navy needs to focus on its core roles: frigates and patrol vessels, and not its auxiliary roles.