Defence Review Consultation Summary of Submissions
Responses to Submissions Form Questions (continued)
Q3: How should the Defence Force cooperate with other international security partners in each strategic environment?
Close collaboration
Close collaboration with international security partners was supported by 214 submitters. A majority (164) mentioned cooperating with security partners directly such as New Zealand's traditional allies while others preferred this to occur via the United Nations. Submitters such as the Disarmament and Security Centre, United Nations Association, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom as well as many individuals regarded United Nations approval as essential for any military operation.
In particular, submissions contained many ideas as to how the Defence Force could operate and support Australian and/or United States forces in coalition operations. Eighty nine submissions mentioned aspects of interoperability. Examples included common strategic planning, integration into the ADF, interoperability planning, the development of the ANZAC Ready Reaction Force, joint force development, and combined medical services. In addition, 43 submitters also encouraged greater combined exercises and training. Also mentioned was a desire to see a much higher level of cooperation with the United States. For some, this included the resumption of visits from United States Navy ships. A few submitters suggested that mutual benefits could occur from establishing an airbase located in the far north operated by the Air Forces of the United States and/or Australia.
"Kiwis have a unique personality and identity on the world stage. People like Kiwis. We should never lose that. It is a valuable asset for our security partners too. Kiwis can get in and talk to people that Americans can't. We need to understand this unique characteristic, preserve it, and use it to our advantage and that of our likeminded partners. It is what makes us a valuable partner and not a gnat on the wall."
Some examples of other areas of cooperation that drew comment were that the Defence Force should participate in collaborative efforts as an independent force, retaining command and control over the deployment of its personnel (24 submissions). Others suggested that collaboration should be limited to humanitarian contexts such as emergency relief (14 submissions).
"New Zealand should work with our natural allies such as Australia and the United States, who have similar interests and enormous military forces in comparison to New Zealand".
