National has released their Defence policy, and Defence spokesman Wayne Mapp says it will centre around implementing the Defence White Paper and Defence Capability Plan initiatives.
“Over the past three years the National Government has given the Defence Force direction and a long-term strategy,” Dr Mapp says.
““National has completed the Defence Review, released the Defence White paper, [and] ensured the Defence Force is ready and available to help New Zealanders in time of need.”
An incoming National Government will integrate existing units into a joint amphibious taskforce at the centre of the NZDF by 2015.
Equipment upgrades are also on the agenda, with promises to upgrade the Army’s truck fleet and replace individual weapons and the HMNZS Endeavour.
National will also keep to the timeline of withdrawing the Provincial Reconstruction Team from Bamyan province in Afghanistan by 2014, Dr Mapp says.
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