I found National Defense Review for 2005. Its worth having a read.
05 August 2005 - 16:11 - John Carter
View National's
other 2005 Policy
A primary duty of government is to protect the state; to keep our country, its infrastructure and its citizens safe. In recent years, the threat of global war has been replaced by threats from terrorism, and from rogue and failing states. These are threats to the freedom and prosperity of all nations and peoples. The National Party believes New Zealand must, as we have in the past, be prepared to play our part in defending the values of freedom and democracy. It is self-evident that this requires New Zealand to act in concert with other countries and/or the United Nations.
National believes we must be prepared and able to work effectively with countries committed to freedom and democracy, as well as to make specialist contributions to operations to defeat terrorism and ensure global security. In doing so it is essential that the men and women in our armed forces are well equipped: constant equipment failures are placing our dedicated servicemen and women in unnecessary danger. This is the result of Labour’s questionable equipment purchases and its delay of the planned upgrade of the Hercules and Orion aircraft planned in the late 1990s.
Our ability to make a meaningful contribution by way of peace enforcement and peacekeeping has unravelled. National will rebuild our armed forces so we contribute our fair share to the defence of free countries and to international security through effective relationships with other countries.
National will:
* Rebuild credible combat capability.
* Maintain recent increases in spending levels, and look to adjust spending as identified in the Defence Review (see Defence Force Review below).
* Enhance our relationship with traditional allies based on mutual interest in a safer world.
* Not change nuclear-powered ships policy.
* Review the pay and conditions of personnel to ensure they get the recognition they deserve in the service of this country.
* Address issues affecting the serious attrition rate in our forces, part of which involves the families of defence personnel.
* Support our reservists as an invaluable part of our defence force structure.
To ensure that this is achieved, National will:
* Undertake a comprehensive Defence Force Review.
Rebuild credible combat capability.
The Defence Force Annual Report shows that our combat forces are inadequately prepared and inadequately resourced for high-level contingencies and larger-scale operations. This situation needs to be addressed, and National will rebuild credible combat capability, consistent with our size and wealth.
Maintain recent increases in spending levels, and look to adjust spending as identified in the Defence Review (see Defence Force Review below).
Defence spending, as a percentage of GDP, is low - we spent less than 1% of GDP on defence in 2002 and 2003 (Australia spent 1.9% in 2003). This leads to justifiable criticism that New Zealand is not pulling its weight in the contribution to international security. National will maintain recently announced spending levels and look to increase defence spending in light of the newly identified requirements.
Enhance our relationship with traditional allies based on mutual interest in a safer world.
In the event of any crisis - whether it be international military conflict, a need for peacekeeping operations, or a natural disaster - it is clear that New Zealand will be acting together with like-minded countries. National believes New Zealand should make an effective contribution to peace enforcement operations, peacekeeping and security, which is consistent with New Zealand’s treaty obligations such as the Five-Power Defence Agreement with Australia, Britain, Malaysia and Singapore.
Not change nuclear-powered ships policy.
Under National, any change to the legislative ban on nuclear-powered warships entering New Zealand waters will require a clear public mandate by way of a public referendum.
Review the pay and conditions of personnel to ensure they get the recognition they deserve in the service of this country.
Our advice is that the serious manpower crisis in the armed forces, resulting from the loss of specialist staff, needs to be addressed ahead of any major equipment decisions. National will act to remedy this situation.
Address issues affecting the serious attrition rate in our forces, part of which involves the families of defence personnel.
We will look at means to better support the families of defence personnel, who frequently experience sub-grade housing.
Support our reservists as an invaluable part of our defence force structure.
National acknowledges that properly trained and equipped reserve forces can enhance force structures. National will support our reservists in their mission to serve their country.
To ensure that this is achieved, National will:
Undertake a comprehensive Defence Force Review.
Since Labour's policy framework was established in 2000, the world's security environment has changed substantially - but policy has not. The post-September 11 world has changed. National will comprehensively review the structure of our armed forces and intelligence agency capability in light of the changed security environment, to ensure New Zealand has suitably trained and equipped forces that can contribute to military operations, peace enforcement and peacekeeping requirements.
Whiskyjack said:
Well I think we will be waiting a while, as they will want to do the review first and hat will be anything from 12-24 months going by previous experience.
But I agree with the review, needs to have public input as well as academic.
