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Post by thelensofhistory on Mar 19, 2024 20:11:39 GMT 12
Yeah, just a minor stroke that completely disabled my right hand for a day. It's working again now but not up to full strength for a while yet.
All the best for your recovery.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Aug 12, 2023 0:21:33 GMT 12
Here's a suggestion for NZDF, save huge amount of time, money and hassle by dropping that "climate crisis" crap out of it. Put that money into your people and equipment! I agree ... but to be fair that is how you can sell it to the masses... one of the selling points fr Aussies 2 LHD's was for responding to Climate crisis situations ie Cyclone season etc... and if we can use the same to get a proper LPD's with well deck as per DCP2019 then sure I am for that.
I belong to the same school of thought, so I don't see another realistic path for the NZDF to potentially obtain the funding for renewing existing capabilities. (But Dave's comments are also valid).
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Post by thelensofhistory on Aug 11, 2023 23:42:57 GMT 12
I listened to his "announcement" live and got the feeling he was just kicking the can down the road until after the election. There was nothing said that hasn't already been said, including by other Government ministers. No detail, no commitment, just hollow words and stating the obvious (the world is in a very dangerous place right now). The "Benign strategic environment" has never existed, even back in 2001. To say it did "back then" is ignoring the facts (9/11, East Timor)!
I am sceptical that anything will change after the recent policy announcements. But the first step to recovery is admitting an issue (New Zealand's dire strategic outlook) needs to be addressed, so the door is ajar for rebuilding the NZDF.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Nov 26, 2022 19:28:16 GMT 12
Dave, I am sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my thoughts.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Oct 30, 2022 18:48:29 GMT 12
IMO the war in Ukraine represents old lessons relearned. But concerning the ground war and infantry, the value and utility of combined arms are reinforced. Also, the ongoing defeat of Russian forces in Ukraine is the final nail in the coffin, for the special forces can do it all and Rumsfeld's light footprint schools of thought.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Oct 30, 2022 15:55:25 GMT 12
I note that Aunty Helen is very quiet on the whole mess the world is currently in. She must still be looking under the bed for her "incredibly benign strategic environment" that seems to have so surprisingly (to her at least) gone AWOL! It is very sad to hear the state NZDF is in personnel wise. They are not alone though. Many industries in NZ are in a similar state. Staff turnover is at record levels right throughout the NZ economy. Retention bonus' didn't work last time it was tried, all it did was put a wedge between those who got it and those who didn't. If they don't give it to everyone then they will be in a world of pain shortly.
Helen was very sensitive concerning that matter.
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Post by thelensofhistory on May 19, 2022 0:04:44 GMT 12
IMO it is worth noting how Australia and New Zealand never adopted the American NCO ROTC model. These programs expanded to include enlisted personnel would have given the NZDF other recruitment avenues.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 21, 2022 22:57:04 GMT 12
Not sure that's going to be a good look, as Chile is fast becoming a extreme socialist version of its former junta ways.
I suspect that the NZDF is happy to have found a buyer for the LAVs that never suited the New Zealand Army. Hopefully, the reminder of the vehicles are replaced and not upgraded in due time.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 8, 2022 13:32:46 GMT 12
For anybody who might be interested in the work done on the Bushmasters before they went to Ukraine:
/photo/1
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Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 1, 2022 19:50:52 GMT 12
By requesting Bushmasters, Ukraine avoided the U.S. restrictions on arms sales and tapped into national pride in Australia. The situation is worth keeping an eye on for the future. If Ukraine requests additional vehicles, the Australian government will have to decide if they will foot the bill or not
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Post by thelensofhistory on Mar 13, 2022 15:19:59 GMT 12
Given recent global events, this must now be a serious topic for govt consideration. What's the likely best way forward? I don't think there is a single MP in the government or opposition ranks who understands the strategic peril New Zealand is facing from events in Ukraine. So I would be amazed if any moves towards rebuilding the NZDF's personnel numbers and core capabilities occurred.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Sept 25, 2021 21:17:30 GMT 12
Well the Poseidon was purchased wasn’t? That was the previous government, with a competent Minister of Defence from a party who, for all their many faults, did actually work hard for the Defence Force. The current government in place since October 2020 is a whole different different ballgame. The current minister is a hatchet man with no background in defence, and he is already undoing some of the good work that Ron Mark did.
Perfectly stated, and I feel the same way about the situation.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Sept 17, 2021 18:45:37 GMT 12
It Sounds like a good arrangement. I would Imagine the new Aussie boats will be based on the Astute class, but with combat systems from the Virginia Class. From what I understand, the Astute Class is pretty close to what Australia wanted, but they have long had a preference for US Weapons systems. The fact they cant visit many ports due to Nuclear free rules isnt an issue, as they are intended to base out of HMAS Stirling and transit undetected to "waters north of Australia". They are unlikely to ever need to visit NZ anyway. A Collins Class has only ever visited New Zealand once, in 2016 for the RNZN 75th anniversary. They spend all their time well away from New Zealand, so the fuss over them not being welcome in NZ is irrelevant.
In the long term, China's interest in the Antarctic's natural resources might see the deployments of submarines and other military forces south of Australia. But, meanwhile, I wonder what kind of impact the RAN's submarine fleet going nuclear will have on the NZDF? Of course, personnel exchanges are affected, but I am less certain concerning joint exercises with the ADF.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Aug 7, 2021 21:45:08 GMT 12
There's been a lot of 'stumbling into stupidity' in the last couple of years sadly & this is another example - what an appalling situation
The level of insanity beggars belief, but is a symptom of how poorly New Zealand tackles these issues.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Feb 11, 2021 21:30:42 GMT 12
Robert McNamara's ghost of arrogance and civilian control of the military didn't end after leaving the Pentagon. Undoubtedly, future enemies will use the restrictions to inflict higher rates of causalities on the NZDF.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Dec 17, 2020 23:17:49 GMT 12
They don't want to upset China! Bring back the ACF (and the other missing NZDF combat capabilities) is all I see reading this. Times have changed and the future is far from secure or benign!
The RNZAF F-16s (or their eventual replacement), four RNZN Anzac class frigates and a (full strength) deploy-able Army Reserve battalion would have all come in handy.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 9, 2020 18:48:55 GMT 12
I wonder if , with all the spending on Covid , will the kitty have enough to buy new Hercules. The ongoing responsibilty for aid the Pacific ( vanuatu currently ) may keep it high on the list .
I have asked myself similar questions. Australia are remaining committed to existing defence acquisitions. New Zealand has left it too late to adjust our defence thinking to meet international realities.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Jan 26, 2020 22:22:42 GMT 12
In light of the threat posed to troops in lightly or unarmored vehicles posed by IED's, why would any interest exist in buying the NZ Army's LAVs?
The Australian build Bushmaster and Hawkei vehicles are more likely to attract international buyers. Both the Bushmaster and Hawkei are in service or entering service with the Australian Army.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 17, 2019 1:32:56 GMT 12
I spent an interesting day on HMNZS Canterbury when she was parked up at Darwin during Exercise Kakadu in 1999 as a guest of the ship's engineering officer who I knew. One of the engines/gearboxes had a severe vibration problem due to alignment problems. It is briefly mentioned in the thesis linked above. The Navy engineering guys did amazing work to get it sorted in time for what was to come in a couple of weeks. Although I believe Canterbury could never again run her engines at full speed because of the problem. The alignment problems were caused by the modifications to the flight deck and hangar to accommodate the new Seasprite helicopter. Basically the whole aft end of the ship flexed a lot more than it used to, causing misalignment between the steam turbine engine and prop shaft gearbox! Whenever they wound her up to full power it would destroy the bearings in the gearbox.
The RAN should take note of such instances with interest. Their Anzac Class Frigates are expected to see an additional 20 years service, they were designed build for a 30 year service life.
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Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 14, 2019 19:11:25 GMT 12
A fantastic article. The naval and air aspects of INTERFET warrant a greater level of attention from historians, defence planners and political decision makers. Suffice to say only politicians are stupid enough not have retained a four frigate navy, and the capabilities offered by the RNZAF Skyhawks and (planned) F-16's.
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