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Post by gibbo on Dec 9, 2021 8:37:06 GMT 12
Somewhat optimistic I think 45. Having prioritised economic growth for several decades, Beijing is now more explicitly pursuing modernisation of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). China has stated that it intends to “basically complete the modernisation” of its military by 2035, and to transform the PLA into a “world-class” military by 2049I wonder if this was in the original drafts, the PRC's demographics and economic limitations (particularly those due to its form of governance) means they not have that much time before they face significant waning of their external power / rapidly rising internal discord. It strikes me as something that got put in, to allow capital expenditure to be pushed out. Yes quite possibly... hey look we don't need to spend any $$$ until 2040...yeah right! p.s. Dave... can we move the 'The NZDF Tri-Service Military Board' out from under Army?... just doesn't make sense sitting where it is.
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Post by gibbo on Nov 18, 2021 14:20:19 GMT 12
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Post by gibbo on Nov 8, 2021 21:57:37 GMT 12
Ah, not John Smith's... here I was thinking wow what an exceptionally quick restore, must've really been in good nick! LOL
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Post by gibbo on Oct 28, 2021 10:16:20 GMT 12
Yes, I think given the DCP is currently been revised & the Govt has made clear noises about pushing out some projects, and now also the finance minister apparently asking for $4Bn worth of projects to be cut from same... I wouldn't get at all excited just yet.
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Post by gibbo on Oct 1, 2021 8:30:21 GMT 12
5) Where do you think the money for new gear/capability should come from – education, health, benefits, infrastructure? Or perhaps raising taxes
> That is the basis of the very simplistic argument generally run-out by those opposed to defence spending and is way, way too simplistic. Like funding for these and literally thousands of other things tax money is spent on the $$$ comes from tax revenue and the Govt does it's best to balance the competing demands. It does not come from a specific alternative area of Govt so it's a dis-ingenious argument to put it like that & should be avoided. Agreed if it is spent on Defence it is unavailable for other use...just like if it is spent on Health it is unavailable for running prisons.... if it is used ($26M) for flag-referendums it is unavailable for health! It's about the quality of spending.
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Post by gibbo on Sept 29, 2021 23:04:04 GMT 12
Whatever the case it's a bloody embarrassment and clear evidence we stopped 'pulling our weight' quite some time ago. The RNZAF is, I'm sure, as busy as always, if not busier, completing both its regular tasks and scheduled operations and exercises, as well as those tasks that arise suddenly like the Afghan evacuation recently. And all this is being done with the stress of operating older aircraft on some squadrons, and more importantly depleted staff due to so many members of NZDF being tied up with the COVID response at MIQ and other related roles. Rather than embarrassing, I think they are doing their country proud. Give them a break. Oopsie Dave, hadn't jumped on for a few days so missed this. I'm sure you get the gist of what I mean... we have an awesome Defence Force who do an absolutely bloody wonderful job and constantly prove they are the best!!! Our boys & girls punch way above their weight and I would stand-up to any person who begged to argue otherwise... the trouble is they are completely undervalued and sold short by a political 'elite' (oxymoron!) who for the last 30 years have, for reasons of philosophical 'wah-wah' versus not wanting to spend money on anything full-stop, done their best to effectively stymie the awesome work that our DF do... whipping away the tools they need to do their job at a level at which we used to. It's not the NZDF who aren't pulling their weight, it's the Govt and that reflects badly on all of us as a nation. Absolutely Dave, the whole NZDF are doing us damn proud... Op Kokako to Afghanistan was a great example of how it can be done... it had hugely positive by-in from media and I think really got people seeing why a defence force is more than just SAR & HADR... well done to NZDF for proving in Afghanistan they are up there with the best!
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Post by gibbo on Sept 23, 2021 8:49:11 GMT 12
My understanding is that we only ever effectively have 2 flyable, with maybe a 3rd for short periods, based on maintenance schedules that are obviously more onerous with a small, 50+ year old fleet...maybe 02 is just in a cycle of deep maintenance & the other 2 seen at Woodbourne are cycling thru with their own issues. Whatever the case it's a bloody embarrassment and clear evidence we stopped 'pulling our weight' quite some time ago.
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Post by gibbo on Aug 20, 2021 10:46:46 GMT 12
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Post by gibbo on Jul 23, 2021 19:24:02 GMT 12
Good option for the 757 replacement The A330 MRTT www.airbus.com/defence/a330mrtt.html- LR Cargo & troop transport - Air hospital & medivac - Tanker - VIP transport ... Interoperability with allies like the Aust, Singapore and UK, which have all taken or in the process of taking delivery of the MRTT. Yeah it'd certainly be a game-changar... however there is one potential issue in that AIUI the A330-MRTT doesn't come with a cargo-strengthened floor so no combi-pax/pallet option on the main-deck, and with AAR taking up under-floor capacity it might not offer the cargo capability we sorely need. Dunno... needs proper evaluation by project team to assess req's versus options and that's now pushed out quite a while. They also need to move the B757 & replacement narrative away from seeming like just a VIP platform.
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Post by gibbo on Jun 26, 2021 0:06:20 GMT 12
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Post by gibbo on Jun 1, 2021 17:55:49 GMT 12
The army has kept a lot of the 1300 (small unimogs) but replaced the larger trucks with the MAN series Yep...the 1300's are planned to be replaced as part of the 'Garrison Support & Training vehicle' project... but given DefMin Henare's recent talk & little in the budget maybe that'll go on hold now!
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Post by gibbo on May 8, 2021 13:53:02 GMT 12
Cool, great to hear there's an intention to restore her, or even at the very least tidy her up. Curious thing tho... why would you plonk her on top of containers if you're intending to work on her!?!
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Post by gibbo on May 5, 2021 22:54:16 GMT 12
Ah I didn't realise that TEM left without her CIWS, that does then suggest TEK's could be used for TEM trials... altho TEK trial images didn't show one and it is a critical factor in top-weight trials. No excuse not to trial fit TEM's CIWS that's still here onto Aotearoa then.
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Post by gibbo on May 4, 2021 21:52:25 GMT 12
Or just perhaps it has been left behind to be utilised for systems integration testing on board HMNZS TE Mana and will be returned onboard the same? Probably no need to to go down the conspiracy theory track just yet... Yeah hopefully, altho isn't Te Mana's over there with her?
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Post by gibbo on May 3, 2021 21:59:05 GMT 12
One thing is that the CIWS gun has disappeared. It was not there when she came back from Canada and is still not on the vessel. Does anyone know if the new missile system has replaced it or is it to be added at some later date? Yes I'm very suspicious of the fact that nothing has been said at official level nor, surprisingly, related chatter on various forum. The CIWS was included in artist impressions of the final 'look' but that's no guarantee. If they are no longer to be fitted the ANZACs will lose a potent anti-FIAC capability (like the mini-typhoon provides above the bridge wings)...let alone the last ditch anti-missile capability it offers. They could at least plonk one on Aotearoa.
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Post by gibbo on Apr 20, 2021 23:07:54 GMT 12
Pretty sure that is an old document from the 2001 Maritime Patrol Review (completed for Helen Clark under the Dept of PM & Cabinet). It was a multi-agency review, each of the various government bodies with an interest (eg. Customs, MAF, etc) submitted a report that were then released as annexes to the main report. Yep, dated 2000... it's of relevance in a way though as it shows that in 20 years nothing has changed! It kind of frames the EMAC requirement in the last DCP.
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Post by gibbo on Mar 24, 2021 21:49:21 GMT 12
On a serious note, it is concerning that the RAF are ditching their J models which are only 20 years old and have recently gone thorugh a mid life extension program. I wonder if it is because they are simply too small to carry the larger pieces of equipment that land forces use these days. That would explain why they are sticking with the A400M despite the difficulties they have had with it. I hope the RNZAF doesn't come to regret buying a relatively old and by modern standards small aircraft in the future.. Think it's pretty clear this is purely a budget driven decision by UK's MOD, nothing to do with the suitability or otherwise: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9305589/Death-Hercules-Entire-fleet-transporter-plane-favoured-SAS-grounded.html The C-130J is still being bought in numbers and had a good future ahead of it so I personally have no issue whatsoever with NZ picking it up. 2-3 cheapish ex-RAF models to add to the 5 J-30's on order for 40sqn sound great on paper (and there is precedent with the 6th RNZAF P3) but the devil is in the detail and in this case that means what exactly is needed in terms of structural & avionics to make them a viable option & worth NZ's investing. However having said that I can't see Govt giving the nod... they'll be lucky to collect everything in the last DCP... my concern is EMAC won't materialise!
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Post by gibbo on Jan 30, 2021 4:22:21 GMT 12
In case anyone in the Auckland region is keen to see onboard Manawanui... tours of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s state-of-the-art HMNZS Manawanui, at her first Auckland open day! The diving support, hydrographic and deep-sea salvage vessel will be open between 10am and 4pm (last entry 3pm) Sunday 31 January only...at Captain Cook Wharf, Port of Auckland.
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Post by gibbo on Jan 10, 2021 0:46:36 GMT 12
Hey Errol, Don't suppose your magic can conjure up a photo of this guy who died in the same crash as Sgt L.F.F. Johns?: Fg Off John Vernon Gustofson - NZ422656 Nothing published in TWN, apparently, Gibbo but Matthhew at the Air Force Museum might be able to come up with one relating to his ITW course in NZ or courses in Canada. Here's my bio from my For Your Tomorrow Vol 3 which identifies the relevant units and dates: GUSTOFSON, Flying Officer John Vernon. NZ422656; b Carterton 21 Mar 09; Palm Nth BHS & Palm Nth TS; sales agent/secretary - Wair Building Society & T&G Mutual Life Society, Carterton. RNZAF Rotorua/ITW as Air Observer u/t 18 Apr 42, emb for Canada 22 Jun 42, att RCAF 15 Jul 42, [5 M Depôt 16 Jul 42?], 6BGS c.20 Jul 42, remust as Air Bomber u/t, 10AOS 15 Sep 42, Air Observers Badge [in lieu Air Bombers Badge] & Sgt/Comm 23 Oct 42, 1 Y Depôt 2 Nov 42, att RAF & emb for UK 23 Nov 42, 3PRC [redesignated 11PD&RC c.28 Dec] 1 Dec 42, [11OTU (Wellington) 5 Jan 43?], 1657HCU (Stirling) 1 Apr 43, 90 Sqn (Stirling - 1 op) 30 Apr 43, kao 30 May 43. Haverhill Cemetery - U.146, Suff., England. Son of Daniel & Helen Mabel Gustofson (née Warrington), Eketahuna; h of Marcelle Elaine Gustofson (née Barber, later George) & f of 1d, Carterton. Cheers, Errol Cool thx Errol, I'll follow-up with Matthew @ RNZAF Museum. There's a local history group in the UK (Haverhll) doing a write-up of foreign airmen buried in their local cemetery and that includes these 2 kiwis, they just need a photo so thought I'd see if I could help them. I've just sent them one of Johns. suffolkfhs.co.uk/index.php/projects/display/130cheers...Gibbo
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Post by gibbo on Jan 9, 2021 13:40:00 GMT 12
Gibbo, There is a small portrait type photo of him in the illustrated pages of The Weekly News of 25 Aug 43, page 30. The Air Force Museum should be able to provide you with a scan of same. Errol Hey Errol, Don't suppose your magic can conjure up a photo of this guy who died in the same crash as Sgt L.F.F. Johns?: Fg Off John Vernon Gustofson - NZ422656
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