Post by hairy on Mar 16, 2006 21:48:18 GMT 12
O.K this will be my last post for awhile so I have put a bit of thought into the following theoretical situation and I would love to see what you guys come up with. 
The Situation.......................
It is the near future and New Zealand is in a possibly sticky situation. A few years ago a very large oil deposit was located off the West Coast (approx. 35-100km off the Waikato river mouth) so we are now a very rich little country (yay).
BUT...............
Six months ago Northern Australia was invaded, initially to the west of Darwin, which was quickly taken, by the expansionist Indonesians. They now have a strong bridgehead established and are pushing southeast, small town after small town have fallen. The defence of Australia is further compromised by numerous terrorist/guerilla operations, it is to the point where there is at least one car/suicide bomb (or not-so-smart bomb as I call them) going off in a large Australian city every second or third day.
What about the UN I hear you say..........
Well, the UN currently has its hands tied as every vote to censure Indonesia is blocked by other Muslim nations who are behind Indonesia, also by China who have also shown their cards by overtly backing Indonesia in these votes and covertly supplying them arms, possibly in return for mineral exploitation rights.
The EU?............
Have distanced themselves as we "are out of the scope of our jurisdction" also tempered by the fear of unrest amongst their own Muslim populations after an upswing of militancy over the past few years. Britain has, though, released Australians and New Zealanders from their armed services so that they can return home to bolster the armed services in their own countries, Britain is also allowing British millitary personel to transfer to the New Zealand and Australian services.
The U.S?............
Are unable to commit much in the way of man-power as they are still bogged down in Iraq where a three way civil war is now raging, but they are offering extremely good terms on equipment as is the EU (quietly of course).
Russia?.............
......Internal problems. But as with the EU and the US they are offering equipment at great rates, also partially in lieu of their outstanding debts.
Where is New Zealand at?............
We have sent troops and who (despite the 5 week wait for their LAVs to be shipped over on a chartered tramp steamer( sorry couldn't resist)) by all accounts are aquitting themselves extremely well. Shortly after the invasion of Oz. there was a General election in NZ where Janette Fitzsimons, under estimating the NZ-Oz relationship, announced "...The Ozzies don't deserve it anyway they stole it in the first place!" thereby losing the Greens the election in a humiliating landslide. Therefore you do not have to worry about the 'Green' influence in the question I am soon to pose.
Meanwhile offshore, large fleets of indonesian fishing boats keep on illeagally fishing in NZs territorial waters and more and more of them carrying arms, this is seen as a direct provocation as more often than not there is an Indonesian naval force just beyond our territorial limit not too far away. As a result New Zealands ambassador to Indonesia (Paul Holmes
)has been recalled and the Indonesian ambassador has just left.
Finally I will now get to the QUESTION............
YOU have just been put in charge of the RNZAF with a virtual open cheque book due to our new found oil wealth and you have been charged with rebuilding our airforce to defend our country, our assets and to help our neighbours reclaim theirs. As time is critical airpower is seen as the quickest way to help achive this. Man-power is not a problem due to returning Kiwis from the RAF and other RAF volunteers.
WITH WHICH AIRCRAFT AND HOW MANY WOULD YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE THIS?
AND WHY?
Remember the factors outlined in the scenerio i.e
- offshore oil rigs, shipping lanes with super-tankers, supporting troops in Oz, hostile naval fleets, possible air to air scenarios over Oz, air to ground to support troops, the ability to access a/c from EU, Russia and USA etc, etc.
Over to you and I hope this provokes some healthy debate.
The Situation.......................
It is the near future and New Zealand is in a possibly sticky situation. A few years ago a very large oil deposit was located off the West Coast (approx. 35-100km off the Waikato river mouth) so we are now a very rich little country (yay).
BUT...............
Six months ago Northern Australia was invaded, initially to the west of Darwin, which was quickly taken, by the expansionist Indonesians. They now have a strong bridgehead established and are pushing southeast, small town after small town have fallen. The defence of Australia is further compromised by numerous terrorist/guerilla operations, it is to the point where there is at least one car/suicide bomb (or not-so-smart bomb as I call them) going off in a large Australian city every second or third day.
What about the UN I hear you say..........
Well, the UN currently has its hands tied as every vote to censure Indonesia is blocked by other Muslim nations who are behind Indonesia, also by China who have also shown their cards by overtly backing Indonesia in these votes and covertly supplying them arms, possibly in return for mineral exploitation rights.
The EU?............
Have distanced themselves as we "are out of the scope of our jurisdction" also tempered by the fear of unrest amongst their own Muslim populations after an upswing of militancy over the past few years. Britain has, though, released Australians and New Zealanders from their armed services so that they can return home to bolster the armed services in their own countries, Britain is also allowing British millitary personel to transfer to the New Zealand and Australian services.
The U.S?............
Are unable to commit much in the way of man-power as they are still bogged down in Iraq where a three way civil war is now raging, but they are offering extremely good terms on equipment as is the EU (quietly of course).
Russia?.............
......Internal problems. But as with the EU and the US they are offering equipment at great rates, also partially in lieu of their outstanding debts.
Where is New Zealand at?............
We have sent troops and who (despite the 5 week wait for their LAVs to be shipped over on a chartered tramp steamer(
sorry couldn't resist)) by all accounts are aquitting themselves extremely well. Shortly after the invasion of Oz. there was a General election in NZ where Janette Fitzsimons, under estimating the NZ-Oz relationship, announced "...The Ozzies don't deserve it anyway they stole it in the first place!" thereby losing the Greens the election in a humiliating landslide. Therefore you do not have to worry about the 'Green' influence in the question I am soon to pose. Meanwhile offshore, large fleets of indonesian fishing boats keep on illeagally fishing in NZs territorial waters and more and more of them carrying arms, this is seen as a direct provocation as more often than not there is an Indonesian naval force just beyond our territorial limit not too far away. As a result New Zealands ambassador to Indonesia (Paul Holmes
)has been recalled and the Indonesian ambassador has just left.Finally I will now get to the QUESTION............
YOU have just been put in charge of the RNZAF with a virtual open cheque book due to our new found oil wealth and you have been charged with rebuilding our airforce to defend our country, our assets and to help our neighbours reclaim theirs. As time is critical airpower is seen as the quickest way to help achive this. Man-power is not a problem due to returning Kiwis from the RAF and other RAF volunteers.
WITH WHICH AIRCRAFT AND HOW MANY WOULD YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE THIS?
AND WHY?
Remember the factors outlined in the scenerio i.e
- offshore oil rigs, shipping lanes with super-tankers, supporting troops in Oz, hostile naval fleets, possible air to air scenarios over Oz, air to ground to support troops, the ability to access a/c from EU, Russia and USA etc, etc.
Over to you and I hope this provokes some healthy debate.
