NZDF General discussion thread

[40 deg south]

Speech to the New Zealand Defence Industry Association – Viaduct Events Centre, Auckland

Transcript of speech from Defence Minister to Defence Industry Association when releasing Capability Plan in November FYI. Not sure it has been posted on this forum before.

I'll also post links to some recent media releases from the Minister below - nothing of great significance.

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release...ryBrownlee+(Gerry+Brownlee+-+beehive.govt.nz)

https://beehive.govt.nz/release/out...ryBrownlee+(Gerry+Brownlee+-+beehive.govt.nz)

https://beehive.govt.nz/release/sin...ryBrownlee+(Gerry+Brownlee+-+beehive.govt.nz)

 

[kiwipatriot69]

In light of recent drought and fires in Canterbury, port hills just in last few days, does/has NZDF assisted in such activities in the past, or is this soley outside the role? Is there a better way of distrubing water Available by air than monsoon buckets , id say NH90 would prove indespensible with the loads it could carry.

 

[ngatimozart]

In light of recent drought and fires in Canterbury, port hills just in last few days, does/has NZDF assisted in such activities in the past, or is this soley outside the role? Is there a better way of distrubing water Available by air than monsoon buckets , id say NH90 would prove indespensible with the loads it could carry.

Yes, NZDF assists in bush fires when requested by the Rural Fire Authority. They also assist the Fire Service as well when required. Recently an engine from Whenuapai came to grief on its way to a callout from the Fire Service. The Woodbourne Fire Section were involved in the Marlborough bush fires last year. In days gone by the Iroquois was used with monsoon buckets.

They have been using topdressing aircraft to deploy fire retardant yesterday and those aircraft are ideal because of their pre-existing hoppers. A pity that the Field Air DC3 top dresser is no more. That was impressive at low level in hilly terrain.

 

[Cadredave]

In light of recent drought and fires in Canterbury, port hills just in last few days, does/has NZDF assisted in such activities in the past, or is this soley outside the role? Is there a better way of distrubing water Available by air than monsoon buckets , id say NH90 would prove indespensible with the loads it could carry.

The whole NZDF can be mobilized to fight fires, late 80 2/1 RNZIR was recalled back from xmas leave & mobilized to fight fires in those same hills, went through so many uniforms & boots that xmas. Currently all NZDF firefighters are being rotated through Christchurch to assist it looks like Civil defence do not need the NH-90 yet.

 

[kiwipatriot69]

Good to know that , hopefuly we get a good dump of rain soon and we dont need them. Shame to hear we lost a pilot in those hills too, ex sas according to network news media?

 

[gf0012-aust]

AFAIK elements of NZDEF have been activated already

 

[ngatimozart]

Australia has offered assistance as well. The NH-90s are not required because of the restricted / conflicted airspace. There is a limit of 15 aircraft in the airspace around the fire at any one time and there are more than enough South Island based civvie helos and top dressing aircraft available and being used. Apparently a C-130H has flown across the ditch for a load of fire retardant to replenish the very low stocks that we now have. Tonight will be another night of nerves and waiting because the airborne fire fighting will have just stopped because it has just gone dark. There are pylons and wires in the valleys etc., that make it to dangerous for night flying operations. The wind has picked up too. I'm on the flat and upwind of the fire - about 5km as the crow flies from it.

Yes the lost pilot is ex SAS, father of two young kids and was awarded the Gallantry Star (No 2 after VC for NZ; NZ Cross is the one after the VC for NZ) for actions in Afghanistan.

 

[kiwipatriot69]

Just went for a look. I get a clear look of the port hills from where i am. Spotted three Unimogs with fire units attached while walking the dogs off halswell junction.must have returned to burnham.

 

[gf0012-aust]

for those in the area, stay safe

 

[ngatimozart]

for those in the area, stay safe

Thanks, we will. Don't know what's worse earthquakes or fires.

This is the latest update. I forgot the USCG Polar Star is in port at Lyttelton and the US has offered their help as well.

Christchurch Port Hills fire - 7.50pm update

 

[kiwipatriot69]

for those in the area, stay safe

Yeah, thanks will do. looking pretty overcast so maybe a good dump will help.

 

[Cadredave]

Yeah, thanks will do. looking pretty overcast so maybe a good dump will help.

Lets hope so that it rains before Saturday keep safe guys

CD

 

[Ocean1Curse]

So, about door knocking, im not even sure if CDF Keatings comment over sexual violence goes in here or is a taboo subject. In any case, link to tweet: https://twitter.com/cdf_nz/status/832378205709283328

 

[ngatimozart]

So, about door knocking, im not even sure if CDF Keatings comment over sexual violence goes in here or is a taboo subject. In any case, link to tweet: https://twitter.com/cdf_nz/status/832378205709283328

Nope, it's not taboo and thanks for posting. I thoroughly support his stand. You do the crime - you do the time; simple as. People know what the expectations and rules are; if they transgress then the fault is theirs and no one else's.

 

[Ocean1Curse]

Nope, it's not taboo and thanks for posting. I thoroughly support his stand. You do the crime - you do the time; simple as. People know what the expectations and rules are; if they transgress then the fault is theirs and no one else's.

I thought is was great timing what with all the climate refugees NZDF is dealing with in Christchurch. There's a bit of lag time between David Morrisons (ret) anti violence against woman but his example proves that it does in fact work.

And i wouldn't mess with CDF Keating, he might put me in a chock me out

 

[KiwiRob]

Thanks, we will. Don't know what's worse earthquakes or fires.

A good flood and a plague of locusts to round things out and make it biblical would be nice, then Bishop Tamaki could blame it on the gays

The South Island has taken a real beating over the past few years, it must be time for them to be given a break. Tis a good thing South Islanders are stoic people made of stern stuff, if this happened up North we'd be screwed.

 

[ngatimozart]

A good flood and a plague of locusts to round things out and make it biblical would be nice, then Bishop Tamaki could blame it on the gays

The South Island has taken a real beating over the past few years, it must be time for them to be given a break. Tis a good thing South Islanders are stoic people made of stern stuff, if this happened up North we'd be screwed.

Well there is this: Locusts, flies, lice and boils put on Christchurch plague standby and this was looked at: PM concedes tossing Gerry Brownlee down the hill to appease the fire was ‘probably a mistake’ but ‘he will be remembered’. I think there will be a substantially high number of unintended consequences from the second plan.

 

[John Fedup]

After reading several articles from The, I sure wish there was a publication like it here!

 

[ngatimozart]

US Sec Def has given NATO members the hard word about defence spending with the members being told to start increasing their defence spending by years end in order to meet the 2% GDP defence spending requirement.

"No longer can the American taxpayer carry a disproportionate share of the defense of Western values," Mattis told the alliance's 27 other defense ministers, according to a text of his remarks. "Americans cannot care more for your children's future security than you do."

A National Interest article, The 2 Percent NATO Benchmark Is a Red Herring, discusses that the 2% GDP expenditure could be problematic for the US because the other nations may spend domestically on their own defence industries and drift from commonality with US systems, reducing interoperability. The second argument is that the other countries supporting their own defence industries will mean less sales for US companies.

However, both articles point to the fact that the US is starting to put the hard word on allies and friends to increase defence spending by the end of the year with 2% GDP being eventual goal. How Wellington reacts to this will be interesting because ultimately Trump could excluded them from 5EYES if they don't play ball and 5EYES is extremely important to NZ security; more important than anything else.

 

[John Fedup]

Canada's current 0.98% of GDP doesn't exactly make us a very worthy player in 5 eyes either. Maybe it will end up as 3eyes.