Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

Minister queries frigate project

By

BRENDON BURNS

in Wellington Doubts about the Anzac frigate project have been expressed by the Minister for Disarmament ' and Arms, Ms Fran Wilde. She has asked whether buying four frigates from Australia would “skew” the Defence budget so much that other equipment, important for security, could not be bought. Ms Wilde said comments from the Minister of Defence, Mr Tizard (“The Press,” March 29), that only three frigates might be needed, were evidence of the close Government study being given to the project. “I believe the major cuts in Defence spending which we have just announced, together with restraints in other areas of expenditure, require the Government to be very sure about the policy basis for any decision it may make,” she said. Ms Wilde said a number of questions arose about the frigate project, including: • What would be the impact of having no frigates? • Are four vessels necessary to preserve New Zealand’s security? • Would fewer frigates and some smaller patroltype vessels be appropriate? • Is a better deal possible for frigates than from Australia?

This article text was automatically generated and may include errors. View the full page to see article in its original form.
Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19890405.2.14

Bibliographic details

Press, 5 April 1989, Page 2

Word Count
179

Minister queries frigate project Press, 5 April 1989, Page 2

Minister queries frigate project Press, 5 April 1989, Page 2