NZ/AUS SHARE HMNZS CANTERBURY

[Ykato]

Sharing of vessel part of Defence Force links

The sharing of the HMNZS Canterbury between New Zealand and Australia will cover for a shortfall in Australian military capability.

The deal was announced today by Defence Minister Wayne Mapp and his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith.

They acknowledged that Australia faced challenges in providing an amphibious capability until new landing ships enter service mid-decade.
Full Item Located Here:

clearnet.co.nz/news-story.html?national~804029

[adzze]

Oh well, hopefully that will offset a little of the moral capital lost in terms of "pulling our weight" over the last 2-3 decades...

[strikemaster]

Did they get the Canterbury fixed?

[Chris F]

This is interesting as Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be here next week and will be the first overseas leader to address our Parliment.
Of greatest interest will be the push for a "single economic market"...this is great news for businesses in both countries.
I can only see a closer merger between the two countries in the future,this surely can only be good for our Defence Force.

[Ykato]

NZ, Australia to set up crisis response centre

New Zealand and Australia will set up a new crisis centre to manage joint responses to natural disasters.

Their response force will initially be based around HMNZS Canterbury, a 9000-tonne, multi-role ship which is the only major asset of that kind available to either country.

Planning will also include greater co-ordination of airlift capabilities, including New Zealand and Australian C130 Hercules and Australia's giant C17 Globemasters

Full Item Located here:
www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10705744