Novascotiaboy
Active Member
Given the non military nature of EEZ patrol and SAR would it not be more appropriate for the government of New Zealand to separate these tasks and costs from the defence budget? The creation of an entity like Australia's Border Protection Force, civilian manned, could provide a more affordable platform for providing these services. At the same time the NZDF budget could be focused on its core missions and allow scarce resources to be used for those core functions.
Through this thread I would like to see what options could be employed to increase abilities yet reduce costs in providing the service. As well, I would like contributors to offer their opinion on what a NZDF would look like without the burden of non military functions.
IMHO I envision an organization that is capable of providing resources for non military tasks from both the air and the sea. By combining the best of civilian contracting there are synergies to be created. In the air, a program similar to Provincial Airlines contract with the government of Holland to provide aerial surveillance of the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean would offer a three aircraft fleet. PAL has extensive experience offering this solution to governments from Canada to the Persian Gulf. Aircraft such as the B350 as used to patrol Canadian waters up to the Q series used in the Caribbean could be employed and crewed by civilian aviators, retired military.
On the water a program modelled on the Australian Border Protection Force could provide southern ocean and EEZ patrol using re-roled OSV designs with civilian crews. Either customs officers or National Police officers could be aboard for the enforcement component as the matters are better enforced under a framework of law enforcement and civil courts.
If this were implemented the resulting NZDF could look like the following;
Navy: Three frigates, one AOR, one LPD, one Littoral Support ship
Air Force: 4 Long Range ISR / ASW aircraft; nine transport aircraft consisting of three strategic heavy lift, three medium tactical, three light tactical / MEPT; 8 naval rotary; 8 tactical transport; 8 A/LUH; 3 training rotary; 11 advanced trainer; 9 COIN / FAC
What do others think?
Through this thread I would like to see what options could be employed to increase abilities yet reduce costs in providing the service. As well, I would like contributors to offer their opinion on what a NZDF would look like without the burden of non military functions.
IMHO I envision an organization that is capable of providing resources for non military tasks from both the air and the sea. By combining the best of civilian contracting there are synergies to be created. In the air, a program similar to Provincial Airlines contract with the government of Holland to provide aerial surveillance of the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean would offer a three aircraft fleet. PAL has extensive experience offering this solution to governments from Canada to the Persian Gulf. Aircraft such as the B350 as used to patrol Canadian waters up to the Q series used in the Caribbean could be employed and crewed by civilian aviators, retired military.
On the water a program modelled on the Australian Border Protection Force could provide southern ocean and EEZ patrol using re-roled OSV designs with civilian crews. Either customs officers or National Police officers could be aboard for the enforcement component as the matters are better enforced under a framework of law enforcement and civil courts.
If this were implemented the resulting NZDF could look like the following;
Navy: Three frigates, one AOR, one LPD, one Littoral Support ship
Air Force: 4 Long Range ISR / ASW aircraft; nine transport aircraft consisting of three strategic heavy lift, three medium tactical, three light tactical / MEPT; 8 naval rotary; 8 tactical transport; 8 A/LUH; 3 training rotary; 11 advanced trainer; 9 COIN / FAC
What do others think?