$1b of new hardware on NZ military wishlist

Infern0

Banned
The Defence Force has unveiled an ambitious $1 billion shopping list for more ships, planes, a new fleet of armoured trucks and new weapons over the next decade.
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TROOP MOVER: The Airbus A400M, one of the planes being considered to replace the C130s, is on the Defence Force's wishlist.
The proposals could add $1 billion to the extra $1.3 billion committed to new military hardware under the 2002-2012 long-term defence plan.
Most of that has or is being spent on new ships, helicopters, aircraft upgrades and army equipment ordered or due to come into service in the next five years.
But tentative plans for more expensive acquisitions - beyond what has already been approved - were outlined at a Defence Industry forum in Wellington.
But Defence Minister Phil Goff says the Government is yet to commit to the plan.
The navy, which will have seven new ships by next year and is also getting $500 million to upgrade its two Anzac frigates, has signalled it needs to replace its tanker, the Endeavour and the Manawanui dive support ship by about 2016.
The air force wants to buy a new fleet of transport aircraft to replace its old C-130 Hercules in about 10 years time.
Defence sources suggest new aircraft could cost between $500 million and $1 billion.
That is on top of the $900 million being spent on new helicopters, $400 million on modernising the P3 Orion patrol aircraft and the estimated $330 million to be spent on Ohakea air base.
The army has begun planning to replace its trucks at an estimated $500 million.
Drawing on the experience of forces now operating in Afghanistan army planners say its new trucks will need to be fitted with armoured cabs.
The army has a long list of "minor" projects under way including the purchase of grenade machine guns to give the infantry more firepower, replace its light machine guns, upgrade its standard-issue Steyr infantry rifles and purchase combat shotguns.
It is also planning to equip its infantry with unmanned aerial vehicles - small aircraft fitted with cameras and other sensors.
Assistant chief of general staff Phil Collett added that the army was also working on a "soldier modernisation programme" to give all soldiers world class clothing, packs, personal protection, night vision and communication equipment.
A sophisticated $83 million intelligence, reconnaissance and communications system - designed to give commanders and troops much more information about their location, the position of other forces and likely threats - is also on the army's shopping list in the next five years.
Assistant chief of navy Captain Fred Keating outlined the navy's plans for upgrading its two frigates. They are presently being fitted with new mini-Typhoon automatic guns to give them protection against fast inshore attack craft.
Its Phalanx gatling guns, designed as a last line of defence against missile attack, are also being upgraded and modified at a cost of $25 million to enable them to hit surface targets.
From 2012 the navy is set to begin a $434 million programme to upgrade combat systems on the ships.
stoked about this, seems the Govt is realising that it has underspent on our military for quite a few years.


plus i enjoy playing with new toys
 
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