Defence Long-Term Development Plan (LTDP)
(October 2008 Update)
9. Projects Essential to Avoid the Failure of Policy
P-3 Self-Protection
Description
- This project proposes to equip the P-3 with a self-protection capability to counter likely threats, primarily man-portable infrared (IR) missiles.
Policy Value
- The P-3 Orion airborne surveillance and reconnaissance force undertakes surveillance of New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone and the Southern Ocean, meets our South Pacific search and rescue obligations, and provides surveillance assistance to South Pacific nations. The P-3 Orion has a high utility for a wide range of civilian and military operations. It is one of the primary force elements contributing to our defence relationships with Australia and Five Power Defence Arrangements partners. The P-3 Orion also has high utility as a niche contribution to global security operations.
- P-3s are high value assets and can carry up to 21 people. It is important to protect those assets and minimise the risks to people onboard.
- The upgraded P-3 Orion will be able to support international partners in a broader range of environments.
Capability Gaps
- In recent years the majority of fixed wing aircraft lost to hostile fire has been to IR guided man-portable missile systems. These shoulder-launched systems have proliferated widely across the globe. Lack of an effective self protection capability could therefore limit the use of our P-3s globally.
- The P-3 currently has no dedicated self-protection equipment. The aircraft's sensors inherently provide some early warning of long-range threats. However, man-portable missiles are difficult to detect and locate other than by sensing the signature produced by their motor burn. It is essential that these missiles are detected at launch and that appropriate countermeasures are used to defeat them.
Links to Other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- C-130 Self-Protection
- P-3 Mission Management, Communication, and Navigation Systems Upgrades
- P-3 Air-to-Surface Weapons
Current Status
- Preliminary work is currently underway within Defence to scope this project.
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Timing
- It is intended that the self-protection equipment be fitted as soon as practicable after the delivery of the upgraded P-3 fleet from around 2011.
Costs
- The indicative project cost is in the range of $30 - 40 million. Whole-of-life costs are not yet able to be calculated.
Land Transport Capability Programme
Description
- Formerly known as the General Service Vehicle Replacement project, this programme will replace the NZDF's general service vehicle fleet, including medium and heavy vehicles, trailers and mechanical handling equipment. It will be an integrated vehicle system that may include associated weapons, communications, protection and night driving capabilities.
Policy Value
- The general service vehicle fleet is a critical enabler for land force operations. This fleet sustains and resupplies forces with fuel, ammunition, rations, personnel and spares and provides maintenance support. The fleet has utility in meeting a wide range of policy objectives.
Capability Gap
- The current fleet of vehicles is approaching 25 years of age and is reaching the end of its economic life.
- The current fleet is not well matched to meet the Army's contemporary and future requirements. The majority of the fleet is cross country capable but has a limited payload of four tonnes. The vehicles have no armoured protection or self protection, and no integrated command and control or communication systems. The heavy vehicle component of the current fleet has a payload of eight tonnes but is not cross country capable.
Links to other Capabilities
- This project has links to the following projects and capabilities:
- Light Operational Vehicles
- Multi-Role Vessel
- Combat Service Support Vehicles
- Land Command & Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
- Night Vision Equipment
- Light Armoured Vehicles
Current Status
- Preliminary work is underway within Defence to scope this project.
View text equivalent of above image.
Timing
- A progressive vehicle replacement programme is expected to begin from 2011.
Costs
- The indicative cost of this project is around $550 – 600 million. Whole-of-life costs are not yet able to be calculated.
