Note from Nighthawk

Australian LHD's

First I will deal with the comment on the Australian LHD's. The Canberra class LHD's was never going to be used as light aircraft carriers. Originally Australia was going to purchase the Mistral Class LHD, but settled on "Juan Carlos 1 Class LHD" with some internal changes. IT was looked at, at removing the ski jump ramp, however, with the extra design and restructuring of the front it was cheaper to just leave them as is.  Also the "Juan Carlos 1 Class LHD" was designed for the "Sea Harrier" and not the F-35b and a lot of redesign and structural work would need to be done, as well resurfacing the flight deck for heat treatment.

New Zealand's Defence Force

Australia is spending $270 billion AUD on defence over 10-15 years... However New Zealand with only a population of 5 million, and the smallest partner and with the smallest budget in this. Has already committed $20 billion NZD over 15 years to upgrade it's defence force. That started 5 years ago, and we are starting to see some of them come in to fruition.  One has to remember this 20 Billion is over and above the defence force budget.

• Frigate Upgrades.
• Purchase of the P-8A's - Upgraded P-3K2's as an interim.
• HMNZS Manawanui.
• HMNZS Aotearoa.
• Purchase of C-130J-30 Super Hercules.
• Australian Armoured Bushmaster.

• China on the move...
• How much for an enhanced sealift vessel?
• Options for the NZDF and RNZN 2nd enhanced Sealift vessel
• Why do I think the Endurance 170 LHD is a good choice for the RNZN.

Future procurements

• King Air Replacement - (in service 2028)
• Keeping P8-A's upgraded.
• Long Range Maritime Drone
• Enhanced Sealift Vessel to compliment HMNZS Canterbury - Budget more than $1 Billion + (in service 2029) HMNZS Canterbury to be replaced on a separate budget around 2035... With a budget of over 1 Billion NZD would be a large LPD or small LHD.
• Upgrade CWIS Phalanx to latest block upgrade. (in service 2021)
• Dedicated Southern Ocean Patrol Vessel Budget $300 -600 Million + (in service 2027)
• Replacement of the B757 's - Budget $300M -$600M + (in service 2028)
• Unmanned Drones Maritime Patrols.
• Upgrade current OPV's sensors and communications.
• Upgrade Sea Sprites SH-2G(I) - hardware & software
• Replace the SeaSprites - Budget more than $1 Billion + (in service 2028)
• Replacement of OPV's - Budget $600M -$1B + (in service 2032)
• Upgrade OPV and Sealift Communications. - Budget $25M -$50M + (in service 2022)
• Upgrade ANZAC Frigates Communications. - Budget $50M -$100M + (in service 2024)
• Replace shipborne torpedos
• Upgrage/Replace the NZLAV - Budget $300M -$600M + (in service 2033)
• The Garrison and Training Support vehicles - Budget $100M -$300M (in service 2023)
• Upgrades to communications and networks
• NZSAS equipment upgrades
• Upgrade or Replace Javelin Missile
• Increase Army to 6000 personal

Replacement of HMNZS Canterbury, Manawanui and the ANZAC's are not in this 20 billion budget but the timeline for around mid-2030's