Quick NZ Update

Posted by Lucasnz on another site.

AIR FORCE
Current perferences for moderisation are replacement of exisiting helicopter fleet as even upgraded Huey would not do the job – no alternatives provided on their website except that two different types may be considered as a combination (i.e . EH101 and NH 90). Upgrade of the C130 as the currently perferred option bending outcome of a report into its viability. Orion upgrade program was due to go to Cabient in March, along with proposal to fit ASM Harpoon. B727 replacement hoped to be online in a year and 3 names lisited on website with boeing and airbus been obivious but not so Tupolev. No word yet on the fate of Whenpuai or any additional MPA for resource protection.
NAVY
Known contenders for the OPV’s are Tenix in conjunction with Barbocks Dockyard. The design in Navy Today suggests a 57mm with RAM. Denmark is offering is SF3000, SF300 design for the patrol force. Less has been heard on the MRV, but ADI as indicated it will be chasing this. No real specifications have been released and won’t be by all indications for another 2 months. The intention is to sign any contracts early next year. Of concern is that the Mine Warfare Force will become part of the naval patrol force and recent emphasis on their annual excerise emphasised resource protection over MCM dectection capability.
ARMY
The army attempts to acquire Javelin 2 years ago appear to have failed as the search for a system has been restarted, though this could be a result of delays due to the Labour governement. The Mistral is to finally get an IFF system. NZ committment in ET is to scale down as a result of the need to retrain on the LAV and concentrate on warfighting skills which have been degraded due to the army’s small size and ET committment.

Leave no-one behind!