DEFENCE
COVID-19: Defence personnel, facilities provide national reserve Hon Dr Wayne Mapp explores the possible roles of the Defence Force in responding to a pandemic, arguing that its pool of well-trained people, its large estate and its fit-forpurpose equipment form a valuable national reserve.
Hon Dr Wayne Mapp QSO was New Zealand’s Minister of Defence and Minister of Science and Innovation from 2008 to 2011.
COVID-19 is the biggest medical emergency since the SARS flu of 2002. Except the COVID-19 is worse, much worse. It will be months before we are past the peak. The COVID-19 pandemic is a good time to reflect on the possible role of the Defence Force in such an emergency. Already they have been involved. The Whangaparoa Camp provided an ideal isolation facility. It would be suitable for up to around 100 people. But that is just the tip of the possible role the Defence Force could play if things were to get a lot worse. Defence policy of the last two decades has placed a lot of emphasis on the role of defence in civil emergencies. In recent times capabilities have been developed with that in mind. In particular the navy has been equipped with ships that have civil roles as much as traditional defence roles. The majority of the Airforce aircraft have substantial civil roles. The NH90 helicopters have much more
lifting power than their predecessors. This makes them ideal in civilian emergencies. The continuing reequipment plan of the Defence Force will have the civil role as an essential consideration. The last decade has seen a number of serious civil emergencies that have demonstrated the importance of these new capabilities, as well as showing the inherent importance of having a well-trained, disciplined force. These emergencies have included the Samoan tsunami and the Christchurch earthquake. On both occasions HMNZS Canterbury was deployed. This ship was acquired with its use in civilian emergencies being a critical requirement. Both these disasters also used defence capabilities that have been available for decades, the C130 transport aircraft and the helicopters. Much more important than the equipment are the people in the Defence Force. The unique virtue of
HMNZS Canterbury, Royal New Zealand Navy Amphibious Multi-role Vessel (MRV).
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Line of Defence
