A step in the right direction but unfortunately there is not enough launch platforms to make it any sort of deterrent due to a significant number of modern warships being able to defeat any attack that we could launch.
Royal New Zealand Air Force
- Thread starter Lucasnz
- Start date
recce.k1
Well-Known Member
Agree, although the pathway forward appears to be complimentary uncrewed platforms to build up numbers. So likely to align with what our allies develop and could be a significant increase in capability for us.
How realistic do you think this is though, in terms of needing secure data-linking technologies (ground, air and space), particularly in this part of the world and that we would have limited control of? Wonder if a better approach could be to stand-up crewed systems (fast-air) first? The key word in that article is "currently" (that it won't happen, as per DCP25), but that's not to say it won't happen in say the next iteration of DCP27/DCP29.
Finally I should have chosen my wording better and not writen that the Harpoon is to be "fast track acquired/interim" etc, ... it could be the case that limited numbers of said weapon are being sought (or "borrowed") for trial and evaluation purposes, to better inform the enhanced strike project's acquisition/resourcing needs, so will wait until there are more details released. : )
Last edited:
NZ can be threatened by both air and sea and a few air to surface missiles won't cover many possibilities. Secure data links for unmanned systems will be a problem in the event of conflict as what is secure currently won't necessarily be so in the future.