New Zealand's Defence Force Structure Determining Priorities in a Benign Environment
Abstract
Since 1985, New Zealand has been forced to re-think its defense objectives as a result of the split in the ANZUS relationship. In addition to the loss of United States cooperation, the Government had directed that New Zealand's primary area of defense responsibility was now the South Pacific. These two factors should have caused a major reassessment of New Zealand's capabilities, but the benign nature of the environment, combined with the minimal threat perceptions projected by the Government, have resulted in much discussion but little cohesion of purpose. The purpose of this research paper is to assess the current and future environment; account for the political and economic inputs; then determine appropriate priorities for New Zealand's armed forces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA217354
Entities
People
- Bruce R. Ferguson
Organizations
- Air War College