|
Post by thelensofhistory on Jan 9, 2019 17:02:00 GMT 12
Well I guess we will find out in due course I guess. I am finding much of this discussion pointless. How often does a P-3 operate at MAUW out of regional NZ airports? Bugger all or never would be the answer. Same for carrying a full load of live weapons (never). The decision has been made, move on people. For a whole host of reasons, New Zealand is grossly ill-prepared for a future wartime emergency. This includes airbases and related logistical infrastructure. But unless a worse case scenario develops, how this epic blunder plays out remains is yet to be seen.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Jul 18, 2018 13:16:56 GMT 12
I also wish the NZDF would (be allowed to) step back from their vanilla 'PR' and actually explain that their work is not just all SAR & HADR & fisheries patrols! NZ's interests are far ranging & complex - often outside our EEZ, certainly the South Pacific.
This is also my school of thought on this point. I suspect the NZDF is under political constraints not de facto highlight how they lack sufficient numbers of existing capabilities or a lacking certain capabilities to meet their roles assigned to them by the NZ government.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Jul 12, 2018 19:54:22 GMT 12
You're all carrying on like the past Government didn't have time to do it if they deemed it so important. Much like the C-130 and P-3 replacements . Defence in NZ is poorly served by all sides of politics Perfectly stated, sadly, I have to agree with you.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Jun 27, 2018 0:43:44 GMT 12
No news from today's cabinet meeting then? As much as I admire Ron Mark's enthusiasm I'm still thinking this won't happen under this Gov't... hope I'm proved wrong.
I honesty think the RNZAF's P-3K2 Orion and C-130 Hercules will fly until their air frames fall apart. The bipartisan approach to under funding and downgrading the NZDF's capabilities can't lead anywhere good.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Jun 15, 2018 19:00:57 GMT 12
Simply terrific photos.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 6, 2018 13:46:54 GMT 12
Madmac, unless New Zealand is invaded by King Penguins from the Antarctic, then the last white paper is strategic toilet paper. At the min, the RNZAF would have to be doubled in size, before any new or old capabilities are restored.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 5, 2018 0:43:24 GMT 12
One would bit pushed to suggest the last white paper was sufficient, let alone a document of excellence sufficient to spend 20 billion on, so a few questions might not be amiss. A perfectly valid point. The problem is there virtually no time for a standard peacetime review. To meet New Zealand's declining strategic position, emergency acquisitions of everything from frigates, RNZAF "air combat" capabilities and the (supposed) existing and new capabilities outlined in the junk white paper.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 3, 2018 21:10:07 GMT 12
But surely as a party's Defence Spokesperson their job is to keep abreast of Defence matters? For sure, but in the cultural bubble that New Zealand exists, defence matters have been relegated to the political backwaters. The absence of a Churchill type figure in New Zealand politics is noticeable, and most regrettable.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 3, 2018 20:37:41 GMT 12
Do Defence Spokespeople of opposition parties not scrutenise and study Government Defence White Papers when they are released? Why would he not be fully aware of and up to speed with exactly what is in that White Paper from the day he is appointed at new Defence Minister? It is, after all, his area of "expertise", the very job he has held for years in opposition. Why does it take months or years for him to now review it? Surely he would have formed his opinions and plans a long, long time ago in case his time came to take over as the Minister? Is this just more stalling? Excluding Mark and perhaps Mitchell , I doubt anyone else in Parliament would give a toss about the contents of the last White Paper. The voters who have permitted successive governments to neglect the NZDF, will have to suffer the eventual consequences.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 3, 2018 20:29:24 GMT 12
Just stalling because of Labour's social spending promises/priorities. It won't happen under this Government this term. It does look like the RNZAF's P3K2 Orion and C-130's will fly until their air frames or avionics fall apart.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Dec 17, 2017 21:06:32 GMT 12
I found an article in relation to Ron Marks and the reestablishment of an ACF from an article, and from a few days ago it stated that the Canadian deal was worth 500M CAD which is about 507M AUD which works out to roughly 546M NZD as an interim starter pack it is good value, with capability straight out of box.
I'm not advocating that NZ gets these at the expense of other areas within defence.But using part 66 of the DWP as justification is nonsense there may be no direct threat to your mainland and surrounding EEZ, there more to NZ direct interest than mainland NZ like SLOC in the SCS
werewolf.co.nz/2017/11/gordon-campbell-on-the-new-pike-river-agency-and-the-air-strike-wing/ The author of the article is among the many deluded people. These people ignore the possibility of a future war threatening the air and sea lanes in the Asia-Pacific.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Dec 16, 2017 20:41:06 GMT 12
Snafu, you raised some good points about "peacetime norms". Long development times and absurdly high costs for military hardware are not "peacetime norms" that could survive a wartime emergency. Admittedly, the difficultly would arise from a lack of trained "combat" pilots to act as RNZAF instructors.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Dec 12, 2017 18:28:46 GMT 12
The only way the RNZAF 'combat arm' will return is in a war time emergency. In such an event all the voters who cheered on the guttering of the NZDF will be sending their kids to a draft board.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Oct 26, 2017 0:08:24 GMT 12
He definitely has something against the NH-90. If he had his way we would still be flying the Iroquois. Hopefully NZDF has a plan to get him up to speed with the facts and get him into the 21st Century! My suspicion is that in three years time ( hopefully not longer ) we will still be flying the P3 and C130H too . Just my opinion , but I dont think that the politicians feel we have squeezed every last cent of value from these airframes yet ( and I dont feel this Government is going to be the one to go on a spend up -- hope Im wrong ) Agreed. I don't like the idea one bit, but I am not convinced replacement aircraft will be purchased.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Oct 25, 2017 19:21:36 GMT 12
Yep, here it comes, another period of bleak austerity and neglect for defence brought to you by the idiots in power. Didn't the previous government find out 9 years ago that any further reductions in defence funding only result in not meeting operational commitments?
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Jun 21, 2017 18:14:41 GMT 12
Pus the engine parts for the Swordfish are nearly impossible to get, that is why the RNHF only flies one of their three examples... You never know when and where the Bismarck will show up. haha
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on May 23, 2017 14:52:58 GMT 12
If circumstances were that serious I doubt the cost of purchase or operation would be too much of a consideration! But I think we would still need a lead-in-fighter trainer. It would be a big jump from the T-6C to a modern front line jet. Re-establishing all of the infrastructure and systems for a fast jet capability would take a long time, but if this Singapore F-15 deal does happen then they will reintroduce a lot of it for us :+). Spot on. In a future wartime emergency, the RNZAF, will have to create pilot training programs without having the skills base.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 25, 2017 20:48:22 GMT 12
I attended the Invercargill ANZAC Day Dawn Service.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 25, 2017 20:42:14 GMT 12
I see Browlee is no longer the Minister of Defence. Hopefully the new guy will be a bit more stratigic focused. He has a better background than his predecessor. What springs to my mind is the old saying, about rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Neglecting the NZDF cannot have a good outcome at all.
|
|
|
Post by thelensofhistory on Apr 21, 2017 0:24:23 GMT 12
I am appreciating these posts Ron, keep them coming. Ditto.
|
|