The Govt is preparing to write a major review of NZ’s defence policy in the form of a new white paper. Ministers may appoint a small team of experts to pull together the paper with the Ministry of Defence, NZ Defence Force, MFAT, Treasury and border control agencies. In Opposition, National believed the Govt had defence wrongly focused. Led by Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Defence Minister Wayne Mapp, Ministers want to examine how NZDF and MoD acquires new equipment. McCully is highly critical of shortcomings in the RNZN’s new ships. There are delays and cost overruns on RNZAF aircraft updates.

Helen Clark’s assertion NZ dwelt in a “benign environment” has been consigned to history and the new review will encompass the Asia-Pacific strategic climate, regional stability, links with Aust (likely to be boosted) NATO and the US where Ministers think NZ has to negotiate a new defence arrangement with the Obama administration, if only to provide a practical basis for cooperation.

There was disappointment in senior NZDF ranks who thought John Key prematurely ruled out re-establishing an air combat element. Most see the need for the RNZAF to have some high speed, light attack capacity, if only for exercising with ships and ground units. This could be provided by either the Aermacchi MB339s or the new generation of light turbo prop trainers.

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