Submarine force idea dropped—Mr Lange

Press, 7 February 1985, Page 8

Submarine force idea dropped—Mr Lange

PA Wellington

New Zealand has decided not to replace its frigates with a submarine force in the next decade. This was disclosed on Tuesday evening by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, during a press conference at which he discussed possible American retaliation in defence procurement to the Government’s ban on nuclear ships. “We are not buying submarines in conjunction with the Australians, the Americans, or anyone,” said Mr Lange. “It was never decided that we would buy them.

“It is not a current con-

sideration of this Government ... pursuing the more-bangs-for-your-buck policy of the previous Government.”

The Minister of Defence, Mr O’Flynn, said in August that New Zealand was still investigating the possibility of replacing its frigates with submarines. His comments came after reports that Australian defence officials had called for New Zealand to commit itself to the submarine replacement. Defence sources say that Australia is set to ask prospective contractors to tender for the design of a submarine fleet. A two-year study by an Australian de-

fence team — involving a lieutenant commander of the Royal New Zealand Navy — produced broad concepts on the project from suppliers in five countries.

After the former National Government expressed an interest in the Australian plan to buy submarines, New Zealand was criticised by a British naval expert, Captain John Moore, the editor of “Jane’s All the World’s Fighting Ships,” who said the country should buy mine-hunting equipment and new long-range naval patrol planes instead of doing a joint deal on submarines with Australia.