The 2024 Defence Major Projects Report has been released, outlining progress on 11 major procurement projects.
“The 2023 Report pointed to a strategic environment that was deteriorating at a rate not seen in decades. The 12 months covered by this publication has not seen any improvement. Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine continued, strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific intensified and extended into the South Pacific, and conflict in the Middle East widened,” the report states.
“The Government’s investment in Defence capability is critical to how New Zealand is able to respond to this environment.”
The 2024 report covers the following medium to high scale and medium to high risk acquisition projects: Air Surveillance Maritime Patrol (P-8A Poseidon); Future Air Mobility Capability – Tactical (C-130J Hercules); Operational and Regulatory Aviation Compliance Sustainment (ORACS); Anzac Frigate Systems Upgrade; Frigate Sustainment Communications (FSC); Frigate Sustainment Programme; Dive and Hydrographic Vessel (HMNZS Manawanui); Maritime Sustainment Capability (HMNZS Aotearoa); Fixed High Frequency Radio Refresh; Network Enabled Army - C4 and Reconnaissance and Surveillance; and Protected Vehicle – Medium (NZ5.5 Bushmasters).
Milestones from the reporting period include:
- delivery of the fourth and final P-8A Poseidon aircraft, and Interim Operational Release for search and rescue, maritime surveillance, humanitarian aid and disaster relief, and anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare tasks;
- Operational Release for the Maritime Sustainment Capability (HMNZS Aotearoa) and the Anzac Frigate Systems Upgrade. The latter followed the successful live firing of the Sea Ceptor missile capability; and
- delivery of the new fleet of 43 Bushmaster protected vehicles, and the commencement of driver and maintainer training.
The 2024 edition is the fifteenth report since 2010 and was presented to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Select Committee today [21 August].
