Armed forces to be revamped and N.Z. troops in Singapore recalled

Press, 10 November 1978, Page 1

Armed forces to be revamped and N.Z. troops in Singapore recalled

By

CEDRIC MENTIPLAY

Closer military co-operation between New Zealand and Australia is emphasised in a 57-page 1978 tiefence review released yesterday.

Other points in the White Paper, which outlines New Zealand’s defence policy for the next 10 years, are:

— The reshaping of New Zealand’s forces into a “core force” aimed at reducing the number of separate commands and so the number of “chairborne warriors.” — The achievement of a higher cost-efficiency, based on the fact that New Zealand’s forces cannot expect a financial commitment of more than the present S3O4M, or slightly more than 4 per cent of the gross national product.

— To retain within this framework an Air Foree with a combat and strike capacity as well as transport arid long-range maritime reconnaissance roles, a Navy with a blue-water combat capacity as well as surveillance and antisubmarine roles, and an Army capable of instant deployment, in a “brushfire war” as well as longerrange mobilisation. The New Zealand Regular battalion now based at Singapore will be withdrawn within the next four years. It will be based at Linton, south of Palmerston North, and will be kept together as a unit.

The retention of the New Zealand battalion in South-East Asia after the withdrawal of the British and Australian units has been discussed for some years. The defence review refers to it as “a strategic anachronism” in view of the changed circumstances in South-East Asia.

The validity of this is based on the fact that although the Manila Pact remains in being, S.E.A.T.O. was phased out in June, 1977. The five-Power defence arrangements signed in 1971 still provide a framework for consultation and co-operation between New Zealand, Australia, Britain, Malaysia, and Singapore. Iri spite of misconceptions among nonmilitary people in Malaysia, Singapore, and New Zealand, these agreements imply no commitment to provide military forces in the event of external attack or a threat of attack, nor do they require the stationing of New Zealand or other troops in the area. The arrangements were always seen as transitional, to exist only as long as Malaysian and Singaporean forces required support and training assistance. The White paper says that

both countries have now developed their own effective defence capacities. The Chief of Defence Staff (Air Vice-Marshal R. B. Bolt) believes too much has been made of the socalled “Australian withdrawal,” which applied only to the Singapore based force making up what used to be known as the Commonwealth Brigade.

“Our interests lie in supporting the efforts of the A.S.E.A.N. States to build up their economic strength and self-reliance and to encourage moves towards greater regional co-operation. There is no longer a strategic requirement for us to base forces in South-East Asia.” The timing of the return of the New Zealand battalion is related not only to the provision of adequate accommodation at Linton and elsewhere (for staff who may have to be moved out), but to planning now being carried out with Australia. Britain, and the United States.

This envisages a longterm programme ol exchanges of troops for

specialised training and correlation.

The plan is to keep the battalion together as a specialised fighting force capable of linking with those of other nations and of being available in circumstances short of a fullscale national emergency. Army planning sees the end of the “brigade group.” The brigade equivalent is now the task force, part of a widerframework force designed to swing into action in times of a big emergency or expansion.

A feature of this is the transfer of Army Headquarters from Wellington to Auckland, where a single Land Force Headquarters will replace Field Force and Home Command. Three task force regional headquarters will be established at Papakura, Palmerston North, and Christchurch, replacing the two existing brigade groups headquarters and logistics-support group headquarters.

The Army training group at Waiouru will remain but will now be under Land Force. Each of the task forces will have different' features and each will have some elements of the Regular "ready'’ forces and the "framework force.” The operationally ready Regular units will form the “core force,” trained for deployment at short notice in what are known as. “low-; intensity operations” or “brushfire wars.” The largest force which could be deployed will be a battalion group (an infantry battalion of 560 men, plus ;support and ancillary units bringing the total up to .1000). The principal infantry unit I at present is 1 R.N.Z.I.R. now at Singapore. If all Regular soldiers in New i Zealand were brought to-: gether, another battalion could be’ formed. However, military plan-I ners feel the most likely' contingencies, peacekeeping, disaster relief, or aid to communities in the Pacific or South-East Asia, will require much smaller units. The scope of overseas, training will be extended with the co-operation of Australia, the United States, and Britain'. For instance New Zealand" will not buy: Leopard tanks but its men 'train in them overseas. To fulfil the armour role in New Zealand, an armoured squadron and a cavalry- 1

reconnaissance squadron will' be equipped with what are' described as “light multipurpose armoured tire-sup-port vehicles.” The Minister of Defence inspected several suitablevehicles while he was over,seas earlier this year. One was the British-built Alvis, another a German-designed vehicle now in use with N.A.T.O. forces, and a third a United States tracked vehicle armed with missiles. Significantly, all can be carried by Cl3O Hercules: transport aircraft and so are' capable of being deployed with New Zealand troops. The Navy's role has been sharply defined. Its first requirement will be to be able to make an operational contribution in the. Pacific with tuition to strategic interests' shared in the Pacific with' the United States and Australia. The effective control of New Zealand territorial waters is second and scientific research and hydrography third. New Zealand’s' four frigates were commissioned in 1960 (Otago), 1962 (Taranaki), 1966 (Waikato), and ' 1971 (Canterbury). Only the last two are helicopterequipped. At present the Taranaki is under extensive : refit and is being redesig- : naied a training-patrol vessel. giving her a useful sec- . ond-line role for some years. ' It seems likely,- therefore, that the Otago will be going into reserve soon and that a new ship, not inferior to • Canterbury, will have to be -ordered. ■ I There are also some no-

table gaps. Two have been, filled by the acquisition ot ’ the Tui for research and the; rebuilding of an island freighter into the hydro- . graphic ship Monowai. But the gaps remain in Navy support ships (the “fleet train”) and in smaller vessels used in training. Some are being built a: Whangarei. A real possibility that the Air Force would be reduced to transport and maritimereconnaissance work has ■ ; been avoided. The combat I role has been retained. The Skyhawks will be improved in navigation and weapons-delivery and pilots

i|Will be specifically trained 'in an anti-shipping role. ■ But maritime reconnaisl(sanie will remain the iop i role. Plans have been made 'for the refurbishing .if tne P3B Orions of No. 5 'Squ .u ron. These aircraft art now 12 years old but can he irri proved. Of equal imporiaoce is their search systems, now quite antiquated by com- , parison with those of the United States, with which the aircraft are required to ; co-operate. ■ Coming into this and the transport role are the Andovers bought from the Royal Air Force. There are also plans for taking over some : civilian F 27 Friendships.