Reports and Publications

• Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)
  • Contents
  • Introduction
  • The Long-Term Development Plan and Defence Policy
  • Funding
  • Managing the LTDP
  • Projects Approved and in Acquisition Phase
  • 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

• C-130 Life Extension
• C-130 Communications and Navigation Systems Upgrade
• Direct Fire Support Weapon – Area
• NZDF Helicopter Capability
• Ohakea Consolidation
• Army Engineering Equipment

Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)
(November 2004 Update)

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Projects approved in principle by Government

C-130 Life Extension

Description

1. This project proposes to extend the life of the C-130 aircraft by upgrading the avionics and aircraft systems and undertaking some structural refurbishment work.

Policy Value

2. The C-130 is a critical enabler for many NZDF operations. It provides essential air transport for the deployment of NZDF personnel and equipment, within New Zealand, to the South Pacific, Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and globally. Air transport is a critical capability for a number of roles and tasks, including: supporting counter-terrorist operations; peace support operations; evacuations of New Zealanders from trouble spots; disaster relief and humanitarian operations; undertaking tasks within New Zealand; and supporting New Zealand's Antarctic programme. The C-130 has particular utility where runways are short or in poor condition.

Capability Gaps

3. The declining availability of C-130 air transport is a major capability gap that will increasingly impinge on the NZDF’s ability to deploy and support personnel. This is due to the age of the airframe and systems. There is a risk of policy failure, particularly in the New Zealand, South Pacific and Asia-Pacific contexts, if this project is not carried out, as the NZDF would not have sufficient air transport to support deployments and perform other tasks.

Associate Projects

4. The C-130 communications and navigation systems also need to be upgraded to address equipment obsolescence and comply with evolving international air traffic regulations. The communications and navigation upgrade requirements for the C-130 are covered in a separate project.
5. The C-130 also lacks an adequate self-protection system against man-portable infrared missiles. This deficiency is also addressed in a separate project.

Links to Other Capabilities

6. This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
   • Boeing 727 Replacement
   • Light Armoured Vehicle
   • Light Operational Vehicle
   • Special Forces Capabilities
   • C-130 Self-Protection
   • C-130 Communications and Navigation Systems Upgrade
   • Deployment of other capabilities

Timing

7. The first upgraded aircraft is expected to be in service in 2007, with fleet modernisation complete in 2009.

Current Status

8. The Ministry of Defence is currently negotiating a contract for the upgrade with the preferred tenderer.

Costs

9. This project is expected to cost $100 million - $170 million.

C-130 Communications and Navigation Systems Upgrade

Description

10. This project involves the upgrade of the C-130 communications and navigation systems to address equipment obsolescence and comply with evolving international air traffic regulations. This project has been separated from the previous combined C-130/P-3 Communications and Navigation Systems Upgrade project due to the differing requirements of the P-3 and the C-130.

Policy Value

11. The C-130 is a critical enabler for many NZDF operations. It provides essential air transport for the deployment of NZDF personnel and some equipment, within New Zealand, to the South Pacific, Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and globally. Air transport is a critical capability for a number of roles and tasks, including: supporting counter-terrorist operations; peace support operations; evacuations of New Zealanders from trouble spots; disaster relief and humanitarian operations; undertaking tasks within New Zealand and supporting New Zealand's Antarctic programme. The C-130 has particular utility where runways are short or in poor condition.

Capability Gap

12. The global air traffic system is being progressively upgraded to increase system capacity and improve flight efficiency within required flight safety standards. This upgrade is designed to enable greater use of automated systems, with less reliance on human input and ground-based systems.
13. The C-130s have systems designed for an earlier generation. They are not compliant with the new air traffic regulations. As more stringent rules and procedures are implemented, the C-130s will be increasingly restricted in their operation, and ultimately will be unable to operate.
14. Without upgrading the C-130 communication and navigation systems, the Government will be faced with policy failure in meeting its objectives relating to air transport.

Links to Other Capabilities

15. This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
    • C-130 Life Extension
    • C-130 Self-Protection

Timing

16. The first upgraded aircraft is expected to be in service in 2007, with fleet modernisation complete in 2009.

Current Status

17. The Ministry of Defence is currently negotiating a contract for the upgrade with the preferred tenderer.

Costs

18. This project is expected to cost $100 million - $150 million.

Direct Fire Support Weapon – Area

Description

19. The area direct fire support weapon - area (DFSW-A) project will provide land forces with the ability to engage opposing forces at a range of up to two kilometres.

Policy Value

20. The DFSW-A forms an element of any significant land force contribution to peace enforcement operations in the Asia-Pacific region and globally where land forces may face a threat on the ground. The DFSW-A is also important in peacekeeping operations for self-protection and as a deterrent to escalation. The weapon may have some utility in higher-threat situations in the South Pacific.

Capability Gap

21. The New Zealand Army presently lacks this capability. This limits the effectiveness and self-protection capability of land forces, particularly during peace enforcement operations in the Asia-Pacific region and globally.

Links to other Capabilities

22. This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
    • Light Armoured Vehicle
    • Light Operational Vehicle
    • Medium Range Anti-Armour Weapon
    • Land Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance

Timing

23. Delivery is expected in 2006.

Current Status

24. On 9 December 2002, Cabinet authorised the Ministry of Defence to seek proposals from industry. Further information from industry will be called for in early 2005.

Costs

25. This project is expected to cost $15 million.

NZDF Helicopter Capability

Description

26. This project proposes to replace the Iroquois utility and Sioux training helicopters with a capability that meets the NZDF’s contemporary needs.

Policy Value

27. Utility helicopters provide essential support to the Army, particularly in the South Pacific and in peace support operations. Helicopters are important for supporting police operations in New Zealand. In addition, utility helicopters are able to provide a range of support functions within New Zealand and the South Pacific, such as search and rescue and disaster relief.
28. The introduction into service of the MRV will create an additional role for utility helicopters in supporting the Army ashore, especially in the South Pacific.

Capability Gap

29. The Iroquois can no longer provide the capability required by a modern, mobile land force. These aircraft are becoming increasingly difficult to support because of their age. With helicopters assuming greater importance for mobility and tasks in peace support operations, there is a risk that the Army will be unable to adequately perform its policy roles and tasks if the Iroquois is not upgraded or replaced to meet current requirements.
30. The Sioux training helicopter is of 1950s vintage and is inadequate to meet training needs. It does not provide an adequate step in pilot training progression from the Airtrainer aircraft to operational utility and maritime helicopters.

Links to other Capabilities

31. This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
    • Special Operations Capabilities
    • Multi-Role Vessel
    • Army capabilities

Timing

32. A replacement for the Iroquois is expected to enter service after 2008. There is some urgency to replace the Sioux training helicopter, and this is expected to occur during 2006.

Current Status

33. An Invitation to Register interest in supplying a medium utility helicopter to replace the Iroquois is being evaluated.

Costs

34. Replacement of the Iroquois and Sioux is expected to cost $400 - 550 million.

Ohakea Consolidation

Description

35. The Ohakea consolidation project will lead to the consolidation of the RNZAF’s operational capability at RNZAF Base Ohakea.

Policy Value

36. The consolidated base will be a core enabler for all RNZAF operations.

Capability Gap

37. Ohakea will require extensive improvements to existing infrastructure and additional buildings to accommodate the personnel and functions transferring from Whenuapai. Units transferring to Ohakea include No. 40 Squadron (fixed wing transport), No. 5 Squadron (maritime surveillance), 485 Wing (Force Element management), Operational Support Squadron, and a range of technical and administrative support units and elements.

Links to Other Capabilities

38. The consolidation at Ohakea is linked to:
    • Helicopter replacement project
    • P-3 systems upgrade
    • C-130 life extension

Timing

39. The timing and duration of the move to Ohakea will be explored during the preparation of options for consolidation.

Current Status

40. Consultants have reported on possible options for consolidation which are currently being considered.

Costs

41. Costs have yet to be determined.

Army Engineering Equipment

Description

42. This project will improve the Army’s engineering equipment and therefore its ability to support the mobility of the motorised land force. Equipment includes:
    • Combat engineering tractors
    • Rapid gap crossing system
    • Water purification/storage

Policy Value

43. 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.
44. 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

45. 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.
46. The Army lacks water purification and storage capacity.

Links to other Capabilities

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

Timing

48. The engineering equipment is expected to enter service in 2006/07.

Current Status

49. Proposals will be sought from industry with recommendations for government consideration expected late 2005.

Costs

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

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