NZ Army Motorised Infantry Battle Group.
I am throwing this out for discussion. It's one suggested acquisition set for the NZ Army that has the probability of both interoperability and compatibility with the AU Army. I have deliberately neglected the rotary wing airlift capability.
From what I understand a MIBG (Motorised Infantry Battle Group) comprises infantry in soft skinned vehicles; and that the command and support structures are relatively small, compared to a brigade structure. Ukraine has shown the vulnerability of soft skinned vehicles anywhere within enemy artillery and drone range. Hence my belief that such a force structure has a good probability of suffering severe casualties before the MIBG reaches the frontlines, if they are detected by the enemy. Based upon the presumption that we could face the PLA in battle, this isn't an ideal situation, especially with the PLA-GF watching and learning the lessons of the Russo - Ukrainian War. The PRC has a strong drone manufacturing capability and they are not the Russian military, WRT inept leadership, logistics etc., and they have a political philosophy and governance system that they all believe in.
This leads into the question how do we equip the NZ Army and MIBG in order for it to survive and fight; and the organisational structure that best serves the NZ Army.
I note that the Australians have selected the Hanwha
AS-21 Redback as its tracked IFV replacing their M113 AS APC. They have also selected the
AS-9 Huntsman and its AS-10 ammo supply vehicle for its SPG capability, and the
Rheinmetall Boxer for its CRV / wheeled IFV. The Redback, being based on the Hanwha
K21 IFV that's in service with the South Korean Army. The
Elbit MT30 turret with the Mk-44 Bushmaster 30mm gun and Spike LR2 ATGM, is mounted on the Redback.
The Australian Army has a minimal AD capability based on the NASAMS system, and no real mobile VSHORAD capability to protect its armoured forces in the field, especially when they are on the move. I get the impression that the Australians haven't figured out that the may be bereft of battlefield air superiority; and questions have to be asked whether or not they have bought fully into the US arrogance about that. According to 4 Star Gen Breedlove (USAF Ret) former SACEUR, the last time a US soldier was killed by enemy fixed wing action, was in April 1953 in Korea.
NZ
The NZ Army reconstitution plan calls for the commonality of platforms etc., with the Australian Army. With this in mind we should consider a ground combat fleet comprising a mix of:
- Hanwha Redback IFV.
- Rheinmetall CRV.
- Bushmaster 4 x 4 vehicles.
- AS9 Huntsman SPG
- AS10 ammo supply vehicles for the Huntsman SPG.
- We should also adopt the Australian Army Battle Management System.
Such a fleet would give us a good combat capability and hopefully the Redback should be able to be integrated with turrets already integrated on the K21. This would enable us to utilise the base Redback vehicle for other capabilities, such as a light tank for infantry fire support and as a mobile VSHORAD, something both the Australians and us are sorely lacking in. The Aussies are using the Redback for their armoured force infantry and whilst we don't field a MBT, we should have such a vehicle for our infantry to ensure that they can be safely deployed in a hostile environment, especially one where a wheeled IFV may be incapable of traversing, or insufficiently armoured for.
We could use the CRV to replace the current NZLAV on a one for one basis. The Aussies intend using it for recon but we could and should use it for fast deployment of troops. Each CRV should have the 30mm turret installed as well. It just gives us more flexibility on the battlefield.
We aren't going to acquire MBTs unless we could buy some Leopard Ones and use them in the infantry support role, like the Ukrainians appear to be doing, however I can't really see the justification for that. Hanwha has integrated the Cockerill 105mm gun turret onto the K21 with this being known as the
Hanwha K21-105 and it retains the K21 amphibious capabilities. The Cockerill gun is also capable of firing the Ukrainian Falkirk ATGM. Hanwha also has integrated an air defence turret with a radar, 30mm gun, and SHORAD SAMs onto the K21 IFV.
The Ukrainians love the Australian 4 x 4 Bushmaster and it has proved to be quite good on the battlefield. IIRC we have ordered 44 odd Bushmasters. Maybe we should replace the complete Pinzgauer fleet on a one to one basis with the Bushmaster; it would make sense.
Another capability is a MRLS such as HiMARS, but I feel that the South Korean
K239 Chunmoo system would be better and more easily obtainable, considering the US delays with manufacturing new order HiMARS because of their inadequate industrial surge capacity.
Whilst it can be argued that we would be operating within the context of an Anzac Brigade, and the AU Army would supply the heavy kit such as arty and tanks, they do have a limited number of armoured combat assets and we should be self sufficient in such capabilities. Ultimately we are responsible for ensuring the survivability of our own forces, regardless of who with, how, and where they are operating. It gives us the capability of working independently if needs be. Cost will be a factor but it would be money well spent; VfM.
