Defence to fit in with neighbours

Press, 8 May 1985, Page 8

Defence to fit in with neighbours

PA Wellington New Zealand and the United States may be in for a long stand-off on the A.N.Z.U.S. row over nuclear ship visits, the Minister of Defence, Mr O’Flynn, told the Diplomatic Corps. He was elaborating on New Zealand’s defence policies and the long-term defence review initiated as a result of the A.N.Z.U.S. row.

Mr O'Flynn said that while New Zealand was moving to become more self-reliant, future defence priorities would be tailored to fit with those of its neighbours, particularly Australia. He assured Asian nations, however, that New Zea-

land’s concentration on the South Pacific would not be exclusive. “New Zealand will also continue to play its part in the five-power defence arrangements that assist the defence of Malaysia and Singapore, and the maintenance of regional security in South-East Asia,” Mr O’Flynn said.

The New Zealand Force in Singapore had been a substantial contribution to the maintenance of regional security for many years. “Though it cannot stay indefinitely, the Prime Minister has made it clear that we have no immediate plan to withdraw it,’ Mr O’Flynn said.

While there was no identifiable threat against which New Zealand should shape its forces, the aim for the future was to have flexible, highly trained, professional Armed Forces capable of operating thoughout the region.

The Air Force was already considering extending the present limited air-to-air refuelling capabilities of the Skyhawk squadron. Mr O'Flynn later told reporters that this would probably be through tanks that could be temporarily installed in a C-130 Hercules.

He told a press conference in his office that while his address bad not added a

lot of detail to the programme announced last week by the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, he had also tried to indicate the direction of the long-term defence review. The Government had authorised purchase of a sixth Orion for maritime patrol work, and the next stage would be to consider extending the electronic capabilities for all six planes, Mr O’Flynn said. The Government would also have to decide on replacement for its Sioux light helicopters, the Navy’s Wasp helicopters, and the Air Force’s Iroquois. Then there were the frigates, one of which had

been delayed in undergoing a refit but would keep going until the 1990 s once the refit was completed, he said. The life of the 22 A 4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers was to be extended by 12 years but the continuing defence review needed to consider what do for combat aircraft after that.

Mr O’Flynn noted that the $3 million announced last week by Mr Lange would lift the Army's manpower by 300 men rather than the 190 initially announced. This would complete the battalion at Burnham, which would be prepared for immediate deployment anywhere in the Pacific, he said.