‘Examination needed’

Press, 18 June 1983, Page 27

‘Examination needed’

PA Wellington Defence spending may need a substantial increase to maintain the forces’ present capabilities, but the chances of that happening are slim, according to the Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Maclntyre. Mr Maclntyre has said that a review of defence objectives “may find that we need to look again at the type of forces we maintain and how we use them.”

“I stress the need for us to tailor our forces to the tasks they may be called on to perform and to the re-

sources available to support them. There will be some hard decisions to make,” he told the Returned Services’ Association Dominion Council.

The Minister of Defence, Mr Thomson, told the council: “What we need now, perhaps more than any other time in the history of the peace-time armed services, is a reassessment of the aims and capabilities required in the light of existing economic constraints which are affecting all areas of Government expenditure, not only defence.”

Mr Thomson said there was a danger of allowing “financial stringencies to force manning and equipment cuts which would result in undermining the effectiveness of our armed forces.”

Resources pressures had already “forced servicemen back into their reserves of ingenuity and commitment.”

“In such circumstances any misapplication of financial resources, however small some amounts might seem, can represent a serious loss of opportunity.” For these reasons, Mr Thomson had called for the re-examination of defence needs.

He said the review would be completed and made

public at the end of the year.

“I can also assure you that the review will be forward-looking, taking into account the need to adapt to future conditions and requirements.” The Minister said the future of New Zealand’s Skyhawk fighters would become clearer in the next few months when the R.N.Z.A.F. submit new recommendations to the Government.

The Air Force was studying a number of alternatives.

An engineering study had been completed on the working life of the Skyhawks and proposals for updating them had been invited from potential contractors.

One of the alternatives being considered was replacing them with a new type of fighter because of the relatively short remaining life of Skyhawks. R.N.Z.A.F. officers are now overseas evaluating attack aircraft.

They are visiting aircraft and equipment manufacturers, including Northrop, General Dynamics, and McDonnell Douglas in the United States, and British Aerospace. The six officers, led by a group captain, will have discussions with the U.S.A.F. and the R.A.F.