NZ military lacking - Defence Force

The navy is finding it difficult to sail, the airforce to fly and the army would struggle to take part in combat, the 2007/2008 Defence Force annual report revealed today.

The report paints a picture of the defence forces hamstrung by a lack of staff and poor equipment.

The army said while land forces were "partially" prepared for low level conflicts, the army was not equipped to meet higher threat situations – "nevertheless, a company group response was provided for Afghanistan".

"Deficiencies in command and control, firepower, and compatible protection and mobility for combat service support elements would impair effectiveness in conventional military operations, and the more challenging peace support operations," the report said.

The airforce had "insufficient personnel" to meet air and ground crew levels and it was only "partially prepared" for complex maritime air operations.

The C-130 Hercules upgrade would extend their service life and improve avionics, but "despite the modifications, the engines, propellers, and some other systems will remain as possible sources of unservicabilities (could not be fixed)".

The helicopter wing was also hit by crew shortages which limited their availability.

When they had crews the helicopters were limited in what they could do.

"In particular, the performance of the Iroquois in bad weather, at night and in hot and high conditions is unsatisfactory," the report said.

In the navy, few of the ships managed to get out to sea as much as planned.

The HMNZ Endeavour spent 50 days at sea out of an expected 100 to 120 day, HMNZS Te Kaha 99 days out of 140 to 160, and the HMNZS Canterbury only 95 days out of 140 to 160.

This was due to both a lack of personnel and "equipment and capability issues".

The navy also did not receive two offshore patrol vessels and four inshore patrol vessels during the year in question, when these had been expected.

Defence Force chief Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae said in the report that high standards had been achieved at home and abroad as the forces struggled to retain staff.

Lt Gen Mateparae said in the report that new equipment and new employment strategies would help with the problems.

One of the main challenges was the high attrition rate – more than 15 per cent – and the loss of trained staff due to the demand for trained staff.

The positive overall growth in staff numbers in recent years had also slowed.

"Shortfalls in critical trades still remain a concern," Lt Gen Mateparae said.  

- NZPA