Statement of Intent 1 July 2003 - 30 June 2004
Part 1: Strategic framework (continued)
The Defence Long-term Development Plan
A strong focus of our work over the next three to five years will be implementing the Long-term Development Plan with the New Zealand Defence Force. Issued in June 2002, the Long-term Development Plan sets out the capability projects required to modernise and improve the New Zealand Defence Force.
The capability projects in the Long-term Development Plan fall into five categories: projects approved in principle by the Government; projects necessary to avoid failure to achieve policy objectives; projects necessary to provide a well equipped land force; projects necessary to avoid significant risks to policy; and projects judged as having benefit but which are less critical to achieving policy objectives.
Many of the capability projects in the Long-term Development Plan are now underway, following decisions made by the Government. They will have a significant impact on the ability of the New Zealand Defence Force to meet the roles and tasks prescribed by the Government.
The Long-term Development Plan is also a planning document that will assist the Government to make decisions about defence capability over a ten year period. We will regularly review the Long-term Development Plan in association with the New Zealand Defence Force, to ensure it is achieving its purpose.
The Government's priorities for the New Zealand Defence Force
The Government's priorities for rebuilding the New Zealand Defence Force are set out in The Government Defence Statement-A Modern, Sustainable Defence Force Matched to New Zealand's Needs, issued in May 2001. The Defence Statement sets out the priorities for the Defence Force as follows:
- a joint approach, structure, and operational orientation
- a modernised Army
- a practical Navy fleet matched to New Zealand's wider security needs
- a refocused and updated Air Force
- a funding commitment to provide financial certainty.
The Ministry's international role
New Zealand is strongly committed to playing a meaningful role in maintaining regional peace and security. Defence and foreign policy work in partnership to secure territorial, economic, social and cultural interests, and to meet collective and global responsibilities.
Security in the Asia-Pacific region is of key importance to New Zealand. With the United States engaged in Afghanistan and the Middle East, developments in global security relationships will influence states in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Australia is New Zealand's most important and valued defence partner. Maintaining a strong strategic relationship with Australia is a key goal for the Ministry and for the New Zealand Defence Force.
The Pacific presents unique security challenges in New Zealand's immediate neighbourhood. New Zealand shares security concerns with many Pacific nations, having complementary objectives, shared responsibilities, and similar security challenges. The closeness of the Pacific will require New Zealand to become more focused and active in the region.
A security community is developing among Southeast Asian countries, despite differences in approaches to security issues such as terrorism. New Zealand is part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum process, and has important defence and security relationships such as the Five Power Defence Arrangements between: New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and the United Kingdom.
The relationship between the United States, China, and Japan is one of the principal determinants of the political, economic and strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. In the wake of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 the United States is now viewing international security through an anti-terrorism prism that has resulted in increased levels of dialogue and cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region. Strategic realities, uncertainties, and market opportunities mean that New Zealand will expand its engagement with countries in the Northeast Asia region.
