National promises urgent review of defence needs

Press, 10 July 1987, Page 3

National promises urgent review of defence needs

By

BRENDON BURNS,

political reporter Destabilising influences in the South Pacific have led the National Party to promise an urgent review of New Zealand’s defence capabilities and requirements. In releasing his party’s defence and foreign affairs policies last evening, National’s leader, Mr Bolger, said that in Government his party would take the hard decisions needed to provide adequate defence for New Zealand and its region. In obvious reference to the loss of the United States security guarantee, the Fiji coup, and an alleged Libyan influence in the South Pacific, Mr Bolger said these had a destabilising effect on the South Pacific. “This upheaval and the

failure to make adjustments sufficient to compensate for the decline in New Zealand’s defence preparedness has cast considerable doubt on our ability to deal effectively with existing instability,” he said. There was potential for this instability to increase. The defence review would ask advisers for recommendations on the most urgent action needed to restore confidence to the Armed Forces. It would examine actual and potential threats to New Zealand security and stability and that faced by the Pacific Island States. The review would recommend a level of funding to allow New Zealand’s Armed Forces to perform the roles required of them. This would include the ability

to respond to low level emergencies in the SouthWest Pacific. Mr Bolger said National was committed to a “blue water” Navy able to fight and deploy forces throughout the South Pacific. The Territorial Force was said to have gross deficiencies and this key element of the Army would be given early attention. Territorial soldiers would be used to expand the Ready Reaction Force to full brigade group strength. This force was seen by National as needing two light Regular Force infantry battalions. A “substantial airlift capability” was said to be needed by the R.N.Z.A.F. to allow deployment and support of such forces throughout the South Pacific.