Reports and Publications

• Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP) Update 2003
  • Contents
  • Introduction
  • The Long-Term Development Plan and Defence Policy
  • Funding
  • Managing the LTDP
  • Projects Approved in Principle by Government
  • Projects Necessary to Avoid the Failure of Policy
  • Projects Necessary to Provide a Well-Equipped Land Force
  • Projects Necessary to Avoid Significant Risks to Policy
  • Projects that have Benefit but are Less Critical to Achieving Policy Objectives

Within this section

• Land Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR)
• Army Tactical Trunk Communications
• Combat Service Support Vehicles
• Army Engineering Equipment
• Army In-Service Weapon Replacement
• Very Low Level Air Defence

Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)
(June 2003 Update)

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Projects Necessary to Provide a Well-Equipped Land Force

Land Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR)

Description

1. This project proposes to equip the Army with an improved land Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) capability.

Policy Value

2. An improved land ISR capability provides land forces with the ability to detect threats at greater distances and with greater certainty. An improved land ISR capability is an important element in operations where land forces face a demanding threat environment and need to know what is happening around them.

Capability Gap

3. Land forces require integral capabilities to identify personnel and vehicles, both static and moving. Current ISR capabilities are limited to foot, vehicle and motorcycle patrols and include night vision and some ground sensors. A significantly larger area, up to 100 by 60 square kilometres, will need to be observed when the LAV is introduced into service.

Links to other Capabilities

4. This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
   • Special Operations Capability
   • Light Operational Vehicle
   • Light Armoured Vehicle
   • P-3 Mission Systems Upgrade
   • NZDF Helicopter Capability

Timing

5. A land ISR capability has linkages to a number of projects including the introduction of the LAV into service, which will start in 2004. Timing of the introduction of land ISR into service will be calibrated with these projects.

Current Status

6. Further studies are required to assess joint contributions to land ISR needs, assess the best mix and numbers of sensors and review personnel issues.

Costs

7. This project is expected to cost $25 million - $52 million.

Army Tactical Trunk Communications

Description

8. This project proposes to replace and/or upgrade existing Army short-range communications systems to provide a high bandwidth (high capacity) digital theatre communication system to support command and control requirements of the NZDF Battalion Group operations.

Policy Value

9. The Army Tactical Trunk Communications system will provide an enhanced capability to exercise command and control over an NZDF battalion group, as well as communicate with allied forces. It forms an important component of any battalion group deployment, particularly in peace enforcement operations where good command, control and communications enhance the safety and effectiveness of land forces.

Capability Gap

10. Current Army tactical trunk communications systems are voice oriented, technologically old, and are comprised of ad hoc and short-term systems. This limits the Army’s ability to exchange information between deployed Army sub-units. An upgraded system would provide short-range communications that interface between medium/long range communications and the tactical units. This system needs to be military specification equipment.

Links to other Capabilities

11. The Army tactical trunk communications system will need to be interoperable with other NZDF communications systems, particularly the JCCS and the Joint Modernisation Communications.

Timing and Current Status

12. This capability needs to be implemented following the outcome of the JCCS project definition study and on completion of a separate study to determine the work required to achieve an integrated communications infrastructure.

Costs

13. This project is expected to cost up to $10 million.

Combat Service Support Vehicles

Description

14. This project has two parts:
    • Additional combat service support trucks, to provide support to the LAV. LAV support vehicles include fuel, water and bulk-handling equipment (moving containers/pallets over rough terrain).
    • Later in the decade, a replacement for the Unimog general service trucks that provide service, maintenance and sustainability to the motorised battalions, specifically LAV and LOV logistic support.

Policy Value

15. Combat service support vehicles are a critical enabler for LAV motorised operations. They sustain and resupply the LAVs with fuel, personnel and spares and provide maintenance support. Their utility in meeting policy objectives is in peace support operations in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Capability Gap

16. The introduction of the LAV will create an additional requirement for combat service support trucks beyond the Army’s current capabilities.
17. In addition, the current fleet of Unimog general service trucks (2.5 and 4 tonne) will be 25 years old in 2008. At this age they will be approaching the end of their economic life and will require replacement.

Links to Other Capabilities

18. This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
    • Light Armoured Vehicle
    • Light Operational Vehicle
    • Multi-Role Vessel

Timing

19. The optimum start time for the introduction into service of the additional combat service support capabilities would be during 2004 to coincide with introduction of the LAV into service.
20. The Unimogs will need to be replaced from around 2008/9. Timing will depend on the levels of serviceability of the Unimogs.

Current Status

21. Defence officials are preparing options for the Government to consider towards the end of 2003.

Costs

22. This project is expected to cost $10 million for immediate needs and $20 million from 2008/09 to replace the Unimogs.

Army Engineering Equipment

Description

23. This project proposes to enhance Army engineering equipment to support mobility of the motorised land force. Equipment includes:
    • Combat engineering tractors
    • 20 metre light bridging equipment
    • Lane way track laying equipment (metal carpet rolled in front of a truck)
    • Water purification/storage

Policy Value

24. Additional engineering equipment will enable LAVs and LOVs to cross obstacles that may be encountered. Some engineering equipment may also be necessary to enable landing operations from the MRV.
25. The policy utility of this equipment will be in supporting the LAVs when deployed on peace support operations in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Capability Gap

26. Current engineering capabilities are very limited and not oriented towards motorisation. Additional capabilities are necessary to provide for the increase in the scale of mobility requirements associated with the increased number of vehicles in the motorised battalion. This also includes providing for the crossing of gaps and broken or soft ground, potentially including beach crossing from the MRV.
27. The Army lacks water purification and storage capacity.

Links to Other Capabilities

28. This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
    • Light Armoured Vehicle
    • Light Operational Vehicle
    • Multi-Role Vessel

Timing

29. The engineering equipment is required to coincide with introduction of the LAV into service, starting in 2004.

Current Status

30. Defence officials are preparing options for the Government to consider towards the end of 2003.

Costs

31. This project is expected to cost around $15 million.

Army In-Service Weapon Replacement

Description

32. This project proposes to replace the following in-service weapons when they become due for replacement around 2007-2009:
    • 1000 C9 light machine guns
    • Special Forces miscellaneous weapons
    • Carl Gustav light anti-armour weapons

Policy Value

33. The above small arms are integral to the full range of land force operations and have applications in a host of policy roles.

Capability Gap

34. Current weapons are serviceable but will require replacement around 2007–2009.

Timing

35. The weapons do not require replacement until 2007-2009.

Current Status

36. No action required at this stage.

Costs

37. This project is expected to cost around $8 million.

Very Low Level Air Defence

Description

38. This project proposes to purchase additional equipment to bring the Mistral Air Defence System up to operational standard.

Policy Value

39. An air defence capability is necessary to protect critical land force elements from air threats such as low flying aircraft and armed helicopters.

Capability Gap

40. The current system is not fully operational. Target detection, identification and tracking rely on visual observation. To be fully effective and minimise risk to friendly aircraft, the system requires an auto cueing and identification friend or foe (IFF) capability.

Timing

41. This project should proceed as soon as possible.

Current Status

42. Work is underway to identify the best option to bring the system up to a fully operational standard. Once updated cost information is received, a submission will be brought forward to Cabinet seeking approval to proceed with acquisition of the required components.

Costs

43. This project is estimated to cost $12 million.

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