NZ Naval Report to the Defence Council – 1978

Extract from the report of the Naval Board of the Defence Council for period 1 April 1977 to 31 March 1978

INTRODUCTION

One of the Government’s objectives on taking office in 1975 was to ensure the availability of small, effective armed forces capable of operating with the forces of our allies and contributing to the maintenance of security in our region. We found that significant problems in key areas had contributed to a sense of disenchantment among our servicemen, many of whom were opting out. The loss of experienced men from the solid core upon which all armed forces depend-middle rank officers and NCOs–was of especial concern. Outdated conditions of service in the armed forces had contributed measurably to this situation. To bring service conditions more into line with those obtaining in the wider community today we have acted in three main fields: a new engagement policy has been introduced, service pay structures revised and the position of women in the services improved.

The new engagement policy introduced less restrictive terms of service, allowing servicemen, with some exceptions, to leave the forces by giving notice without incurring the financial penalties that previously applied. In the short term this has had an effect on retention rates, but in the longer term I am satisfied that the complete package of new conditions of service will have an advantageous effect on the morale of the armed forces. Last year we revised and updated pay structures and brought service rates into line with those paid in the other State Services. The new scales have been promulgated and they will come into operation later this year, with appropriate back-dating. I am confident that the new pay system, together with the new engagement policy, will encourage retention in the forces, and thereby contribute to their overall efficiency.

To these important changes must be added the broadening of the range of employment open to women in our services. The three separate women’s services were disestablished last July, servicewomen being integrated into existing branches or corps. Women now receive equal pay and (with some exceptions, notably in combat trades) equal opportunities for service and advancement. Further action to remove discriminatory conditions is proceeding.

I am also confident that in the coming year the 1975 election policy regarding concession interest rate housing loans will be introduced, thereby rounding out a worth-while package of action in a short period.

Important steps were taken during the year to improve co-ordination and co-operation with Australia in defence matters. In my talks with the Australian Minister of Defence in April 1977 agreement was reached on a joint statement of the objectives of Australia – New Zealand defence co-operation and a framework was established within which the two countries could develop the defence relationship in all its aspects. Our defence relationships with the United States have also been improved and extended. The Government continues to attach great importance to the ANZUS relationship.

While continuing to maintain and develop military skills through training and exercise activities, the armed forces have shown how valuable a contribution they are able to make to the community in general, in support of other Government programmes and in furtherance of our external objectives. In policing the 200-mile exclusive economic zone, in disaster relief and search and rescue, in Antarctic support and servicing the outlying islands, in support for bilateral aid and other aid programmes in these and many other areas they have demonstrated a capacity to meet varied requirements in an efficient and timely manner and to uphold the national interest in time of peace.

During the past year we have carried out an in-depth review of New Zealand’s defence requirements and of the ways and means of meeting them. This review, the results of which will be published later in the year, will provide an up-to-date perspective for New Zealand’s security as the basis for the orderly adjustment of the size and shape of the New Zealand armed forces to meet changing needs into the 1980s. The redefinition of our defence and strategic aims will not alone suffice; the maintenance of a credible defence effort will demand the continued allocation of sufficient resources to our armed forces. I am confident that the forthcoming white paper will contribute to public awareness of our defence situation, bringing home the importance of the careful preparation of forces capable of upholding the security, wealth, and national interests of our country.
ALLAN McCREADY,
Minister of Defence.

TRAINING OPERATIONS

Major Exercises and Training Exchanges

Exercise AUCKEX/LONGEX 77, an RNZN-sponsored naval/air exercise, was held in New Zealand waters during the period 21 November-9 December 1977. Visiting naval and air forces from Australia, Canada, and the United States took part. The exercise provided valuable training in the use of common doctrine for fleet operations and anti-submarine warfare.

Earlier in the year, from 25 April-7 May 1977, HMNZS Otago and two P3B Orion aircraft of No. 5 Squadron participated in Exercise WESTEX 77, a Canadian-sponsored maritime exercise conducted off the west coast of Canada. Australian and United States forces were also involved.

During the year RNZN ships exercised with allied forces on a number of other occasions. In July, after attending the Jubilee Spithead Review, HMNZS Canterbury participated in the biennial British exercise HIGHWOOD; she returned from Europe in company with the Australian contingent, which provided further fleet operating experience. The opportunity was also taken during the passage to and from the review to exercise with units of the French, Indian, Singaporean, British, and United States navies. Early in 1978 HMNZS Waikato and HMNZS Otago exercised with the nuclear submarine USS Pintado (16-20 January) and subsequently with the 2nd Canadian Destroyer Squadron (13 February-31 March). Waikato also exercised with ships of the RAN while in passage to RIMPAC 78 in March 1978.

Supplementing these exercises and unit exchanges were 16 exchanges of individual officers with Australia and the United Kingdom and the United States. These exchanges enable the individuals concerned to acquire skills not obtainable in New Zealand and to gain experience in operating in a major force environment. They provide opportunities for a greater number of New Zealand personnel to gain an understanding of allied doctrine and procedures.

The exercise and exchange programme as a whole enables New Zealand’s forces to keep abreast of tactical doctrine, operating procedures, equipment development, and the training philosophy of other nations. It assists our forces to broaden individual military experience and provides them with experience in activities, which, while not currently forming part of our local training programme, might be required in the event of active operations. Overseas training also provides opportunities to train in unfamiliar environments, thereby enhancing the flexibility of New Zealand’s forces. The exercise and training exchange programme is the primary means of supplementing a rather restricted formal overseas training programme and providing training in a major force environment which, because of the limited size of our forces, cannot be obtained within New Zealand.

Routine Operations

From 21 April-16 June HMNZS Canterbury was in passage to the United Kingdom (for most of the journey in company with HMAS Melbourne and HMAS Brisbane) to attend the Jubilee Review at Spithead on 28 June. After participating in Exercise HIGHWOOD in July, Canterbury proceeded to Hamburg for a short visit, and then returned to Portsmouth for a short maintenance overhaul before commencing her return voyage to New Zealand on 6 August. She arrived at Devonport, via Toulon, Suez, Bombay, Singapore, Jakarta, Darwin, Port Moresby, and Townsville on 20 October. During her passage to and from the United Kingdom HMNZS Canterbury took part in the largest concentration of exercises it has been possible for an RNZN vessel to undertake for some considerable time.

With the completion of her long refit and modernisation HMNZS Waikato recommissioned on 6 August. Following sea trials and weapons practice she re assumed operational status late in November. In January she exercised with and, escorted into Auckland Harbour the nuclear submarine USS Pintado. After calling at Raoul Island with stores and personnel for the weather station, she made a short visit to Suva in February in the company of HMNZS Otago and then proceeded to Australia to participate in Exercise RIMPAC 78, joining the Canadian squadron in passage and participating in a series of exercises with the RAN while crossing the Tasman Sea. During the year visits were made to Tauranga and Gisborne, where she was visited by more than 5,000 members of the public.

In April 1977, HMNZS Otago was in Canadian waters. A short overhaul was carried out at Esquimalt and visits made to SeattIe and Vancouver, after which she participated in Exercise WESTEX 77. A visit to Sacramento preceded her return to New Zealand by way of Pearl Harbour, Pago Pago, and Tonga. Following her return to New Zealand she was until November engaged in fisheries protection duties, interrupted briefly by a servicing visit to Raoul Island. HMNZS Otago was involved in Exercise AUCKEX from 28 November-9 December. In January she successively escorted USS Pintado to sea and undertook exercises with it, attended Dunedin’s festival week and carried out further fishery protection duties, and in the following month participated in the Waitangi Day celebrations. After visits to Raoul Island and Suva, she exercised with Canadian vessels in the Hauraki Gulf. She visited Nelson in late February and during March again undertook fisheries protection duties.

After returning from Australia on 7 April HMNZS Taranaki spent most of the year alongside at Devonport at a low state of readiness because of a severe shortage of technical personnel. During July she went to sea briefly with classes of trainees and instructors on board. The rest of the time was spent in training, maintenance, and preparation for her refit.

HMNZS Tui, following a short overhaul, commenced a 7-day trial for the Defence Scientific Establishment on 18 May. During June she was engaged in a fortnight’s midshipmen navigation training, followed by a servicing visit to Raoul Island. Further DSE trials were carried out in August. In September she participated with HMAS Diamantina in sea tests with noise sensors, during which she visited Noumea, Brisbane, and Sydney. Returning to Auckland in October 1977 she spent the rest of the year undergoing repairs and refitting. From mid January until 17 March she took part in further DSE trials in the Auckland and Bay of Plenty areas.

HMNZS Monowai was commissioned in Scotland on 4 October and after trials departed on 7 November for a 5-day visit to Amsterdam. She began her return voyage to New Zealand on 1 December, proceeding via Gibraltar, Monaco, Suez, Bombay, Singapore, and Cairns. Visits were made to the International Hydrographic Organisation at Monaco and the Hydrographic Branch of the Indian Navy at Bombay. She arrived at Auckland on 2 February. After a leave period she was engaged on trials in preparation for the hydro graphic survey of the Bay of Plenty and visited Gisborne at the end of March, where she was granted the freedom of the city.

Fishery Protection

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries is responsible for the management of New Zealand fishing resources, the Ministry of Defence supporting this task through its surveillance and policing of foreign fishing activities out to the 200-mile limit.

For the first 6 months of the year under review fishery protection activities were carried out at similar levels to previous years. Under the Interim Fisheries Regulations introduced on 1 October 1977, foreign vessels were prohibited from fishing in certain areas within the 200-mile exclusive economic zone and net mesh size was regulated. From that time the Ministry of Defence accorded priority status to the policing of the zone. RNZN frigates made frequent patrols within the zone and were specifically tasked to make their presence felt in the closed fishing areas. The four vessels of the Patrol Craft Squadron (HMNZS Rotoiti, Pukaki, Taupo, and Hawea) also stepped up their operational activity. Greater emphasis was given to fisheries surveillance by the RNZAF, and the frequent reconnaissance of territorial and closed fishing areas by both RNZAF aircraft and RNZN vessels provided a strong deterrent to infringement of the regulations. Regular patrols of the 200-mile zone by the RNZAF have enabled the activities of foreign fishing vessels to be kept under close surveillance. In March mare than 260 foreign fishing vessels were operating in our waters, a substantial proportion of which were Japanese. Because of the need far greater coverage of the 200-mile zone once the Exclusive Economic Zone (Foreign Fishing Craft) Regulations come into effect on 1 April the adequacy of existing resources to meet this requirement is currently under examination.

Courtesy boarding of foreign fishing vessels were carried out to ensure that their masters were aware of and passed copies of, the Exclusive Economic Zone Regulations. A total of 106 boarding’s took place and several vessels suspected of infringing the areas closed to fishing were given formal warnings. Two Japanese vessels were arrested, one far fishing in a closed area, the other far breaking net-mesh regulations.

The Ministry of Defence also assisted the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in setting up the Fisheries Control Centre in Wellington.

Hydrographic Survey

As noted earlier in this rep art, HMNZS Monowai was commissioned in Scotland in October 1977 and arrived at Auckland in February 1978. Formerly the island trader Moana Roa, the ship has been converted far hydrographic survey duties and takes over from HMNZS Lachlan, which was withdrawn from service in 1975. The ship is equipped with an integrated computer controlled survey system, which will substantially increase the Navy’s capability far hydrographic survey.

In February 1978 an interdepartmental committee was set up under the chairmanship of the Secretary of Defence to determine hydrographic survey policy, approve the survey work programme, and advise the Government on the resources needed to support that programme. It is intended that, on completion of the initial settling-in survey in the western Bay of Plenty to be conducted during 1978, Monowai should undertake a resurvey of the western approaches to Foveaux Strait, a task of particular importance because of the many deep draught vessels now transiting the area. Consideration is being given to the introduction of a one-and-a-half crew-manning concept to enable the ship to be kept on station far longer periods. Manpower limitations are likely to preclude implementation of a scheme on these lines for same time, but if these can be overcame there is no doubt that a substantial increase in output could be achieved.’

During the year the survey motor launches HMNZS Takapu and Tarapunga completed the resurvey of Raglan Bar and harbour and minor surveys in the Auckland area, and a survey was begun on the entrance to Tory Channel, which will be of particular benefit to the Cook Strait ferries. Takapu later in the year commenced a resurvey of the Firth of Thames, while the crew of Tarapunga spent from November-February in Tonga surveying the harbour and entrance to Neiafu.

The Hydrographic Office prepared and published special charts showing the effects of regulations issued under the Exclusive Economic Zone Act. The metrication of charts from Three Kings Islands to Tauranga was completed, and metrication of those of the central zone, including Cook Strait, is proceeding. A total of 55 970 fully corrected charts and 4930 navigational books were issued for naval use or sold to the shipping industry or recreational users. Forty thousand copies of the weekly Notices to Mariners were published, as was an Annual Summary. A long-range radio navigational warning service was provided for the South Pacific area.

Training

Overseas

During the past year 307 personnel proceeded overseas for courses of varying length, most going to Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. As in the past, emphasis was upon initial officer, post-graduate, technical, and application training, with appropriate use being made of staff college, specialist, and management courses as well. Provision was also made for selected servicemen to undergo training that will assist the armed forces in assessing changes in operational doctrine and technology and facilitate the maintenance of a basic level of expertise in various fields. The number of personnel serving on overseas exchanges remained at 16, the aim of such exchanges being to keep alive particular operational skills, to train officers for specific posts on their return to New Zealand, and to broaden the military experience of selected personnel.

Navy

During the year 723 personnel received basic training; of this total a significant number of women (109) completed their basic training, reflecting the increasing interest of women in a career in the Navy. Naval personnel underwent a further 3520 advanced or refresher training courses and 68 officers were under training, 2 of whom graduated from university.

Most naval courses are now so structured that personnel successfully completing their courses also gain civil trade qualifications. As noted in last year’s report, a 4-year indentured apprenticeship scheme for engineering branches was introduced in January 1977. This year 74 apprentices passed into their second year of training, which will be spent at sea; while 112 apprentices begin first-year training, this number representing maximum use of present shore training facilities and sea training capacity. The shortage of experienced instructors and overstretched training facilities and accommodation continued to be a problem. These have been exacerbated by the need for larger intakes of apprentices and other trainees. Full use is being made of all possible temporary training facilities. Sea training has been constrained by reduced frigate availability but capacity should increase once HMNZS Taranaki completes her refit in the coming year.

Non-regular Forces

As the result of a greater number of recruits the strength of the four RNZNVR divisions has increased from 304 at 31 March 1977 to 347 at 31 March 1978. RNZNVR motor launches have engaged in SAR operations, exercises with RNZN units, and have provided transport for university science parties and personnel from other Government departments including fisheries inspectors. The motor launches are an essential part of naval reserve activity and because the present craft, now more than 30 years old, are close to the end of their economic life, planning has commenced for replacement vessels. A new policy for the RNZNVR is being evolved-which will give reservists a more positive role on certain tasks which have been the responsibility of regular forces e.g., fisheries protection.

Equipment and Supply Support

It has been difficult to administer the capital equipment programme in recent years, as was noted in last year’s annual report, because the programme has not been approved by the Government until well into the financial year. As a result of this delay it has not been possible to purchase items for which expenditure was authorised before the end of the financial year. The Government’s decision to approve the committal of funds, in 1977-78 equal to 95 percent of the 1977-78 programme, against the 1978-79 programme, should resolve this problem.

A replacement diving tender for the RNZN is currently under construction by Whangarei Engineering and Construction Ltd. and a tender has been accepted from the same company for two inshore survey craft to replace HMNZS Takapu and Tarapunga, which were built in 1943.

Items procured include satellite navigation equipment and replacement dockyard plant for the Navy; modern camouflage equipment and anti-improvised explosive devices equipment for the Army; replacement air/ground/air transmitters, and radio test equipment for the RNZAF; and research equipment for the Defence Scientific Establishment. Orders have been placed for replacement radar equipment for HMNZS Canterbury and HMNZS Taranaki, some replacement radio equipment for the frigates, and further replacement machinery for the dockyard; replacement medium mortars, a direct-fire weapons simulator, additional artillery fire control computer equipment, field radios, and some electronic test equipment for the Army; and an air freight terminal handling system and replacement workshop machinery for RNZAF.

The manufacture of communications and electronic equipment in New Zealand has increased in recent years and locally made equipment was fitted to motor vehicles and to some Navy small craft during the year.

Under the revised dress policy, new style uniforms in improved materials are being developed. While the introduction of these will be spread over several years the Army has already received some new summer uniforms in polyester/cotton material and it is planned that the Navy and Air Force will receive new items in the coming year. Protective clothing for use during winter training has been introduced on a limited scale and it is hoped that the manufacture of additional items will commence at the end of 1978.

Technical Services

The main functions of HMNZ Dockyard are the refitting and repairing of RNZN ships, the provision of support to operational ships and the repair and manufacture of naval stores items. During the year shortages of skilled staff in several key trades have caused considerable delays to the Navy’s ship refit programme. Particular difficulty was experienced in recruiting sufficient staff in such key trades as shipwrights, boilermakers, and afloat electricians.

The major refit to HMNZS Waikato was completed in July and the second normal refit of HMNZS Canterbury commenced. Three patrol craft-HMNZS Rotoiti, Hawea, and Taupo-underwent their first refits. Other craft which were refitted during the year were the dockyard craft Arataki, the barge Kauri II and the Philomel personnel landing pontoon; refits carried out on various craft from other departments included Ministry of Works and Development tender Meola and the Police launch Deodar.

The Fleet Maintenance Unit has continued to provide assistance in the rectification of defects and general maintenance of both ships and shore establishments. Because of their many hull and, engineering problems the patrol craft have imposed a heavy strain on the Fleet Maintenance Unit, which is seriously short of experienced artificers. HMNZS lrirangi has continued to maintain fixed services to Australia, Honolulu, and Vancouver, to provide naval ships with communication facilities and to assist with SAR communications.

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

During the past year the work of the Defence Scientific Establishment (DSE) again placed emphasis on the measurement of low ambient noise levels in the ocean surrounding New Zealand, which are of interest from both defence and more general scientific viewpoints. Particular attention was given to the effects of these low-noise fields on modern sonobuoys. The DSE has also continued to investigate oceanic factors, which have a bearing on the performance of modern sonar equipment. Experimental sea tests with noise sensors in the low-frequency band towed by the naval research ship HMNZS Tui proved very successful and the possibility of employing this technology for surveillance over large areas of ocean is currently being evaluated. The Australian naval research ship HMAS Diamantina also participated in sea tests held in waters north of New Zealand in September. Research and development work with a direct application to the operational requirements of the RNZN and RNZAF is an increasingly important aspect of the work of the DSE. Work continued on the construction of prototype equipment such as the sea surface temperature recorder for the RNZN and the sonobuoy processor for the RNZAF. Such prototypes could lead to the development of low cost, locally assembled equipment. Special monitoring programmes, which provide early detection of possible component failures, have improved the engine life of both aircraft and ships resulting in significant savings in defence expenditure. Research in the metallurgical field has decreased the likelihood of the disintegration of aircraft turbine blades. This research has also been of value to other countries. Finally the analytical studies team has assisted in the assessment of requirements for surveillance and policing of the 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

The DSE continued to work closely with the Australian defence research and United States naval research establishments, and scientists from the DSE visited the United States and Australia. Such cooperation helps to ensure that New Zealand’s relatively limited resources in the scientific field are effectively employed and that duplication of overseas research is avoided. The availability of HMNZS Tui and her work with the Australian naval research HMAS Diamantina and HMAS Kimbla was of great assistance to the DSE.