Defence
General Defence Articles
Defence Minister Ron Mark is adamant there is no danger in sending Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) personnel to RIMPAC 2020.
"We will deploy a Covid-19-free vessel, with Covid-19-free crew," Minister Mark says. "It will stay isolated from all other people."
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Read more: Navy to send a 'Covid-19-free' ship to military exercise
- Article: https://www.teaomaori.news/navy-send-covid-19-free-ship-military-exercise
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- Note from Nighthawk.NZ:
Australia has snapped awake from a long slumber with its new defence strategy.
It doesn't propose major new fleets of subs or strike fighters beyond the pre-existing plans. That's partly because they take many years and Australia has realised it has no years left.
- Hits: 1360
Read more: China the unspoken threat at centre of new defence strategy
- Article: https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/china-the-unspoken-threat-at-centre-of-new-defence-strategy-20200630-p557qg.html
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- Note from Nighthawk.NZ:
Meanwhile in NZ... * cricket sounds *
Applications to join the military have shot up as Kiwis stare down the barrel of a bleak job market.
Between March and May, as coronavirus took hold in New Zealand and forced a nationwide lockdown, applications to join the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) rose by 400 compared to the same period last year - an increase of 21 per cent.
- Hits: 2089
Read more: Defence Force applications spike amid gloomy job outlook
- Article: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300045678/defence-force-applications-spike-amid-gloomy-job-outlook
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- Note from Nighthawk.NZ:
The United States military may seek repayment from New Zealand for years of free meals enjoyed by Kiwi troops in Afghanistan, according to a new report.
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Read more: US military may seek repayment from NZ for years of free meals in Afghanistan
- Article: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300046426/us-military-may-seek-repayment-from-nz-for-years-of-free-meals-in-afghanistan
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- Note from Nighthawk.NZ:
Enfield, UK, 29 June 2020 – HENSOLDT UK have completed the delivery of a fully type approved Kelvin Hughes Integrated Naval Bridge System (INBS) for Polar-class logistic ship HMNZS Aotearoa. At 26,000 tons this is one of the largest ever vessel built for the Royal New Zealand Navy and was recently delivered by Hyundai Heavy Industries.
- Hits: 1366
- Article: https://www.hensoldt.net/news/hensoldt-uk-delivers-full-integrated-naval-bridge-system-for-royal-new-zealand-navy-ship-hmnzs-aotearoa/
- Note from Nighthawk.NZ:
The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) operates in a vast geography that ranges from idyllic Pacific islands to Antarctica, and also deals with broad array of missions.
RNZAF chief air vice-marshal Andrew Clark says that the missions of the broader New Zealand Defence Force fall into two broad areas, one covering typical military missions, the other being what would be regarded in other countries as coast guard work.
- Hits: 1431
Read more: RNZAF chief eyes big region, broad requirements
- Article: https://www.flightglobal.com/rnzaf-chief-eyes-big-regions-broad-requirements/139039.article
- Note from Nighthawk.NZ:
User Rating: 5 / 5
The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN)’s newest vessel, the future HMNZS Aotearoa (A11), sailed into Auckland Harbour on June 26 following her 15 day journey from Ulsan, South Korea.
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Read more: Royal New Zealand Navy’s Newest Vessel HMNZS Aotearoa Arrives in Auckland
- Article: https://defpost.com/royal-new-zealand-navys-newest-vessel-hmnzs-aotearoa-arrives-in-auckland/
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- Note from Nighthawk.NZ:
Author has a few details wrong. Aotearoa is 26,000 tons, she can carry 22 20 ft containers, and weapons though this is not confirmed yet, but will most likely be "fitted for but not with" RNZN official fact sheet click here
Hon Dr Wayne Mapp notes that despite changes in governments Defence policy has continued to remain stable, and that Covid-19 presents both challenges and opportunities for defence spending.
It is tempting to use the Covid pandemic as an excuse to put things off. In recent weeks there were several letters to the editor in the major newspapers suggesting that the purchase of the new C130 and P8 aircraft should either be deferred or cancelled. Admittedly some of the authors were well known opponents of virtually all defence spending, but it was clear they were reflecting views more widely held in the community.
- Hits: 1485
Read more: New Zealand’s Defence stability in uncertain times
- Article: https://defsec.net.nz/2020/06/22/defence-stability/
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- Note from Nighthawk.NZ:
I think Dr Wayne Mapp is a bit behind the times...
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