Statement of Intent 1 July 2009 - 30 June 2012
Introduction from the Secretary of Defence
This Statement of Intent (SOI) sets out how the Ministry of Defence will contribute towards the Government’s vision for defence between 2009 and 2012.
The conduct of a defence review, Review 09, the first such review in over ten years, is the major feature on the Ministry’s horizon over the coming year and beyond. The review will establish defence policy objectives in the light of security and foreign policy goals, and present affordable options for achieving those objectives. The Government’s subsequent decisions will be published in a Defence White Paper. The review will benefit from a public consultation and the input of an independent panel of experts.
The White Paper will have a major impact on the future shape and roles of the New Zealand Defence Force, and also on the way the Ministry of Defence conducts itself. I expect the White Paper to lay the foundations for revised outcome statements for the Ministry, to establish improved procedures for acquiring major items of equipment, and to recalibrate our working relationship with the New Zealand Defence Force. For these reasons, this SOI is best-regarded as an interim document, pending a more thorough treatment following publication of the White Paper.
Meanwhile, the Ministry will continue to pursue its current programme of work. The principal item of business is the delivery of significant contracted items of military equipment. The next three years will see the introduction to service of the seven new Project Protector vessels, the introduction of upgraded/life-extended major fixed wing aircraft: the P-3 Orions, C-130 Hercules and Boeing 757s; and new medium utility (NH-90) and training and light utility helicopters (A109 LUH (NZ)). The White Paper will present an additional set of capability and equipment priorities for the coming decade.
In its international policy role, the Ministry will engage with New Zealand’s defence partners overseas, and advise on New Zealand Defence Force deployments.
Retaining staff with the right skills remains the basis for the Ministry’s organisational health. While fiscal conditions are likely to limit recruitment over at least the next year, the Ministry expects to hire an additional acquisition project manager, and continue developing current staff within the Ministry.
I am confident the Ministry will meet the expectations of the Government as set out in this Statement of Intent.
John McKinnon
Secretary of Defence
