| The NZDF Files - Effective Air
Defence for Deployed Forces
†
10 October 2007
Proposal of RNZAF Air Defence
Company
New Zealand Defence Forces are severely
vulnerable to air attack with only a limited capacity to protect
its airspace against such threats. With the disbandment of the Combat
Air Wing this has been infinitely increased. If we are unable to
meet even a minimal threat of such nature out at sea, as the Skyhawks
allowed, then as a cheaper but less effective counter to this problem
Air Defence options is proposed.
This would consist of several batteries
along our vast coastline. More critical and pressing is protection
of operationally deployed units. The RNZAF would operate such forces
in close cooperation with enhanced Army assets increasing interoperational
capacity. All options can also be mounted on vehicles for higher
levels of mobility and deployment.Such an option becomes even more
pertinent with the disbanding of the Air Combat Wing. With both
static and mobile forces of this kind we can have an adequate defence
against incoming air attack. This does negate an ability to strike
at any threat out at sea, but it does provide with additional early
warning. Matched to Electronic Warfare (EW) of the RNZN this would
provide the best means of national defence outside of reinstating
an offensive air capacity.
It must be stressed, for a country
of the geographical disposition of New Zealand, the best defence
is good offence, the battle being fought out at sea, where our land
assets, both civil and military, are at minimal risk.
New Zealand has not only a long reaching
coastline but also distant strategic responsibilities to its neighbours.
This strategic concern is intrinsically linked with trade and an
ability to demonstrate the willingness to maintain these wider global
concerns. The Navy gives New Zealand the ability, given appropriate
assets, to provide anything from civil defence duties in outlying
islands to providing direct security to military or humanitarian
relief as has been demonstrated with East Timor.
It is accepted that to raise such a unit poses problems due to the
challenges faced in regards retention and recruitment but, particularly
for deployed forces, and issues of full spectrum force protection
this can not be ignored.Regards vehicles for mobile units, 1RNZIR
has the majority of NZLAV assets for mobilisation. The remainder
constitute use for 2/1RNZIR, training and, theoretically armoured
recce. Some of these vehicles, perhaps two six vehicle batteries
and four additional for command and control would allow for a realistic
and affordable anti-air component to the force. Ideally additional
vehicles would be brought for the purpose but the aforementioned
considers minimal cost and integration.
A proposed force would consist of three troops. One based in Auckland
/ Whenuapai, one in Linton / Ohakea and another in Christchurch
/ Burnham. The two North Island units would be drawn from the FSV
roled LAV based in Linton presently. The South Island unit would
be drawn from the QAMR.
Each of the three troops would consist
of:
4x Air Defence (AD) armed LAV
1x Direct Fire (DF) 25mm turret armed LAV
1x Command Post (CP) LAV
4x LOV
The DF vehicle will have the usual
3+7 compliment for rapid mounted / dismounted reconnaissance, while
the LOV will each have 1+5 for ammunition, logistical and troop
self protection duties. Typical personnel per troop would be 57,
of enhanced platoon in size.
The 18 vehicles would simply be re-roled
from those allocated as of the Army's plan of 28 June 2004. They
would be staffed by RNZAF and a NZ Army cadre. The concept provides
a dual role of air cover for Army assets and air defence for air
ports and Air Force assets.What follows is a brief on three possible
systems:
Rapier
Rapier is used by Australia's 16 Air
Defence (Light) Regiment 110 AD Battery. It is due for replacement
in Australian service and it would be worth considering purchasing
these weapons off Australia as a interim measure. They are still
a viable option for another decade or more and this is purely a
self defence acquisition for defending our lengthy coastline from
air attack. Used with great effect in the Falklands, this system
has a modern upgrade path, as shown with the UK Rapier 2000.
Logistics,initial training and support
can be provided by either the UK or Australia.
Units like Singapore's Air Defence
Brigade of the RSAF, whom are responsible for national air defence
operations, use Rapier. Rapier is a battle tested system and has
a solid record. Portable variants for mobility are available.
Bofors RSB-70/90
This missile system is used by Australia's
16 Air Defence (Light) Regiment 111 AD Battery. This laser guided
SAM is also used by the RSAF Divisional Air Defence Artillery Brigade.
ARMAD is a three man turret version which holds the radar and Fire
Control System (FCS) needed for self contained operation. It is
let down by its relatively short range of five kilometres but RSB-70
is man portable, while also being more typically mounted on light
vehicles. The RSB-90 has a greater range and more effective warhead
thanks to the advances of technology.
ADATS
Air Defence Anti-tank System uses a
dual purpose warhead meaning the system can engage both Armour and
air targets, out to a range of 10 kilometres, while detection is
over twice that. The platform has eight laser guided missiles ready
for launch. Two men can reload the ADATS without need for additional
logistical support. A six unit battery can be linked to a common
network, elements upto 20 kilometres apart sharing battlefield data.
Both armoured mobile and static defence options are available.
With NZLAV now in service the Army
could most certainly look into the feasibility of placing the weapons
and targeting systems of ADATS onto these vehicles.
Switzerland use the ADATS on wheeled
vehicles. It would provide a solid standoff engagement of any modern
armoured vehicles. Main Battle Tanks have typical main gun range
of three kilometres. Such a system therefore permits much greater
protection of the asset. It also provides (mounted on NZLAV) a rapid
deployment with the force it intends to protect. This compliments
Javelin MAAW dismounted 2000 metre range.
Both Canada and the Royal Thai Air
Force use ADATS, as well as Switzerland. The system is a joint project
between Switzerland and Canada through Oerlikon Aerospace Inc. A
Mk2 ADATS updating of technologies will keep this option on the
leading edge of the battlefield for many years to come.
It should be stressed that, if the multi-role ADATS was adopted,
the FSV role would persist, with the given vehicles simply in the
Anti-tank role with increased range and lethality.
Top ^ |
