The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is facing a critical juncture as security threats continue to escalate. The Government’s intention to enhance the NZDF’s combat readiness is a step in the right direction. Still, it demands urgent action and must be achieved within years, not decades, unlike current defence programmes. Becoming combat-ready requires not only modern weapon systems and platforms but also the correct levels of staffing and logistics to support a formidable force. In this article, we delve into the historical context of NZDF’s combat readiness and the need for a seismic shift in approach to meet future challenges.
Historical Context: The Rise and Fall of Combat Readiness
In the past, the NZDF maintained combat-ready power through the Territorial Force, backed by conscription up until the 1970s. Though conscripts were never deployed post-World War Two, the organisational structures and facilities that supported the Territorial Force played a vital role in bolstering the Regular Army. However, the end of conscription after the Vietnam War led to the decline of the Territorial Force, leaving the Regular Force to shoulder overseas missions with outdated equipment and insufficient personnel. This begs the question: should some form of conscription be reconsidered to build a truly combat-ready force?
Logistical Challenges: The Shift in Approach
Logistically, until the 1980s, the army relied on a “Just in Case” model, maintaining warehouses based on past wars. The post-World War Two logistics organisation was established to sustain overseas divisions, ensuring quick mobilisation and reinforcement. However, after Vietnam, international military trends favoured the “Tail to Teeth” and “Just in Time” doctrines, leading to a decline in NZDF logistic units and a reliance on civilian contractors and overseas suppliers. The vulnerabilities of this fragile international supply chain were laid bare during the COVID pandemic, a ship stuck in the Suez Canal, and conflicts in Europe. Should the NZDF re-evaluate its logistic strategies and prioritise domestic production to ensure self-reliance and resilience?
The Call for Urgency: Reshaping NZDF for the Future
Despite possessing some advanced weaponry and equipment, the current NZDF personnel and logistic models do not align with the uncertainties of the modern strategic environment. To effectively confront emerging security challenges, the NZDF must redefine combat readiness, reassess logistics strategies, and prioritise domestic production. The transformation towards a combat-ready force demands swift reinvestment and non-partisan political commitment to reshape the NZDF’s structure, equipment, and logistical support. The time for action is now.
Conclusion: From Ambition to Reality
The Government’s ambition to make the NZDF more combat-ready is commendable, but it requires a sense of urgency to move from rhetoric to reality. The desired transformation demands a seismic shift in approach, with investment and commitment to reshaping NZDF for the challenges ahead. As security threats worsen, the nation’s security depends on the NZDF’s ability to adapt, innovate, and evolve into a combat-ready force. The future of NZDF and New Zealand’s security is at stake. Will the present or post-October Government follow through, or will this be another hollow pre-election promise? The time to secure the future is now.
