An open letter on defence

The following is a letter to the Editor of the New Zealand Herald, from seven retired military officers and secretaries of defence.

We are writing to draw attention to the risks New Zealand faces over its future security. Decisions are about to be taken on defence which will determine how well we manage those risks over the next decade, but they are being taken without debate and indeed without setting out the proper information on which to have a debate.

A number of decisions about equipment have been foreshadowed. Doubts have been expressed about a combat air capability and maritime surveillance. But the defence strategy on which these views are based has never been explained. We are drifting into a greatly reduced defence capability by default. All defence involves risks, but in a democracy these risks should be weighed and knowingly accepted.

The Cold War is over but that has not made the world a safer place. What is our strategy now? If we could be certain that the next few decades will not see a serious conflict, or that New Zealand will be able to stay out of any conflict that arises, then we might opt for a lower-level force, one designed and equipped for civic action and the simpler forms of peacekeeping.

If we are not able to read the future so confidently, if we think it wise to have some insurance against what cannot be foreseen, then we will prefer to pay for a Defence Force that is trained and equipped to handle the risk of conflict.

The drift of Government policy emphasises peacekeeping and civic action, on the assumption that we do not need to insure for anything more. In this judgment, New Zealand is alone. All our friends and neighbours, including Australia, think it wisest to be prepared for a greater level of risk. These approaches cannot both be right. We have to choose.

The choice we make will decide our security, our self-respect and our relations with the outside world well into the future. Before we do so we need the fullest information and discussion. The stakes are too high not to take the greatest care. In 1938-39 we had no such debate. We relied on hope rather than on knowledge, and we lost several thousands of New Zealanders because we were not prepared.

We appeal to the Government to publish its defence reviews in draft so that they can be considered and discussed in full by the people of New Zealand, who will have to live with the consequences.

Lieutenant-General Tony Birks

former Chief of the Defence Force

Air Marshal Sir Richard Bolt

former Chief of Defence Staff

Gerald Hensley

former Secretary of Defence

Air Marshal Sir Ewan Jamieson

former Chief of Defence Staff

Air Vice-Marshal Robin Klitscher

former Deputy Chief of Defence Staff

Denis McLean

former Secretary of Defence

Vice-Admiral Sir Somerford Teagle

former Chief of the Defence Force