NZ troops may stay in Middle East in ongoing battle with Isis
New Zealand defence forces could remain in the Middle East beyond the end of next year as part of an international coalition of forces tackling Isis, government papers have revealed.
More than 300 personnel from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) were carrying out missions around the world as of mid-September, with about threequarters posted to the wider Middle East region.
The majority of those are part of a joint Australia-New Zealand operation training security forces in rural Iraq for operations against Isis, while others are part of coalition operations in Baghdad and Kuwait.
Deployments are expected to conclude in November 2018, but a briefing from the Ministry of Defence and NZDF to new Defence Minister Ron Mark hinted troops may be on the ground for longer.
The document said: ‘‘As the security situation in Iraq remains dynamic, New Zealand’s deployment will remain a key focus in the foreseeable future.
‘‘While the current Government mandate sees our forces in Iraq until November 2018 …’’, with the rest of the sentence redacted.
Other Kiwi forces will remain on operations until June 2020 to provide logistics and transport support for NZDF troops deployed in the Middle East and Africa.
There is also ‘‘heightened concern’’ over Islamist extremist group activities in South East Asia, particularly political instability in the southern Philippines.
The briefing said: ‘‘The unrest has highlighted that long-standing insurgencies have the potential to be exacerbated by an affiliation to Isis.
‘‘With New Zealand being situated closer to the Philippines than the Middle East . . . radicalisation in the region is a real concern and an issue we are monitoring closely.’’
Defence bosses are also keeping a close eye on the ongoing nuclear belligerence of North Korea. Last week the communist state tested an intercontinental ballistic missile that had a range that would easily reach anywhere in New Zealand.
While it is highly unlikely New Zealand would be a target, and with North Korea reportedly ready to negotiate an end to the nuclear crisis, New Zealand’s military leaders have ‘‘consistently and strongly condemned North Korea’s behaviour’’.
Five defence force personnel working with the United Nations will remain on the Korean Peninsula until August 2019.
The NZDF is in the early stages of a $20 billion investment plan to boost its capabilities. Unveiled last year, the cash will establish a new cyber defence programme, boost intelligence units and help replace six P-3K2 Orion maritime surveillance aeroplanes by 2030.
The defence minister was also warned a project to upgrade weapons and communications systems in the navy’s two frigates, Te Kaha and Te Mana, was facing ‘‘significant cost pressure’’ – though further detail was again redacted.
Last year it was revealed that completion dates for the upgrades had been pushed back from February 2018 to March 2019, with likely costs rocketing by about $100 million to $473m.
Defence officials are also still considering a request from Singapore to have 12 of its fighter jets stationed long-term at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base in Ohakea, near Palmerston North.
The ministry expects to spend more than $260m over the next year on defence capability projects, including $92m on maritime sustainment capability, $67m on the frigates’ upgrade and $52m to create a ‘‘network enabled army’’.