An Anzac military force remains very much in the cross-sights of Australian and New Zealand military and political leaders.
The concept was flagged by both prime ministers at their recent annual leaders meeting, held this year in Queenstown, New Zealand.
“The big focus for us has been interoperability with Australia,” New Zealand PM Chris Luxon told journalists at the meeting.
“We want to be working together as much as possible, wherever we can be.
“We want to be a one sort of essential Anzac force essentially, operating within our region (covering) all the gambit of helping the Pacific when there’s emergencies and disasters.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says their two defence forces have increased joint operations over the last 12 months amid rising political tension in the Indo-Pacific region.
North Korea is widely believed to have acquired Russian weapons and capability for sending its troops to fight in the Ukraine while China has been acting aggressively towards Taiwan and in the South China Sea.
“In December, our defence ministers agreed a closer defence relations statement to build deterrence in our region, enhance joint capability and support Pacific sovereignty,” Albanese says.
He says he congratulated Luxon on New Zealand’s new defence plan which will see that country double its GDP spend on defence to 2%; the country already announced plans to spend $12 billion (A$10.9bn) over the next four years with a review period of two years.
NZ recently sent its largest military contingent to take part in Exercise Talisman Sabre and has been developing its aerospace and capability, including a new space squadron, as has Australia.
The RNZAF is also looking to a new RAAF maintenance facility in South Australia to maintain its four P-8 aircraft; the RAAF operates 12 of them.
RNZAF UPGRADE
New Zealand is to spend $2.7 billion on replacing its naval Seasprite helicopters and air force Boeing 757s, the government says.
It marks the first major deal under the NZ Government’s new defence plan to double GDP military spending and boost its ability to serve as part of an Anzac force.
According to NZ Defence Minister Judith Collins, the NZ$2.7 billion (A$2.43bn) deal will see them buy five MH-60R Seahawks (US) to replace their eight naval Seasprites.
Another NZ$700m (A$630m) will be spent on a six-year lease of two Airbus A321XLR (extra-long range) aircraft to replace their ageing B757s.
“The MH-60R Seahawk is a great aircraft for what New Zealand needs and fulfils our objective of having a more integrated Anzac force,” Collins says.
ANZAC SEAHAWKS
- The MH-60R Seahawk is also operated by the Royal Australian Navy.
- In February, the RAN signed a three-year deal with Sikorsky Australia to maintain their aircraft at Nowra, NSW.
- The RAN will increase their Seahawk fleet from 23 to 36 aircraft by the end of 2026.
- The RAAF operates seven Airbus A330s (or KC-30A Muti-Role Tanker Transports), which can refuel aircraft in mid-air.
“The new planes will give us reliable aircraft to deploy personnel and respond to international events,” Collins says.
“These five Seahawks will increase the capability and surveillance range of New Zealand frigates and ensure we are interoperable with Australia and other partner defence forces,” Collins says.
New Zealand will buy the US helicopters under the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program instead of going to public tender.
“New Zealand needs reliable aircraft … the decision to acquire extra-long range aircraft reflects the importance of having an aircraft capable of such things as returning safely from Antarctica if unable to land due to conditions,” Collins says.
NZ has already taken delivery of five newer-generation larger Super Hercules from the US in a NZ$1.5bn deal; Australia is to buy 20 of them to replace their current Super Hercules.
USAF Super Galaxy aircraft recently flew into Auckland to unload a new full-motion cockpit simulator as part of the Hercules deal; the flights delivered 58 crates of equipment (69 tonnes) and a six-storey building has been built to house it.
In the last 12 months, the RNZAF has taken delivery of four new Poseidon P-8 maritime and surveillance aircraft and five next-gen C-130J-30 Super Hercules (which the RAAF will also be buying from the US).
The NZ Army’s fleet is listed as a mixture of light (armoured) and logistical vehicles.
The NZ Navy has been reduced to eight larger ships after its survey and hydrographic ship, the Manawanui, sank near Samoa last October.
EARLIER STORY: Wellington unveils new defence spending plan
“(The plan) will enable us to work towards becoming a more interoperable force as New Zealand moves ahead with procurements under its plan,” Albanese says.
“This will strengthen our ability to stand together and contribute to peace and stability in our region and uphold our commitment to the international rules-based order.”
Canberra has been announcing a string of defence projects to modernise its armed forces and strengthen domestic munitions manufacturing capability.
