Building an Amphibious Capability for New Zealand in the 21st Century: Essential in an Uncertain Security Environment
Abstract
The New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) is currently undergoing an unprecedented period of change. A Defense White Paper called for a review of the New Zealand Defense Force and recommended that the NZDF develop an amphibious capability and commence an integration of the three services around the capability of an ATF. The Ministry of Defense has issued a Capability Plan, which confirms the White Papers requirements and outlines the plan for the NZDF to 2035. It is ambitious in that it calls for an Amphibious Task Force (ATF) to be at the core of the NZDF by 2015 and for the NZDF to achieve a greater degree of integration by 2020. The NZDF has the capability to deploy an ATF and currently conducts limited amphibious operations in the South Pacific, both independently and with allied nations such as Australia, France, and the United States of America. The establishment of an ATF at the core of the NZDF will require a greater level of integration than currently exists. There are shortfalls in command and control infrastructure, doctrine, education, training, and joint culture that the NZDF will need to address in the medium term.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 04, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA601700
Entities
People
- Scott B. Cordwell
Organizations
- Marine Corps University