Government warned over defence shortages

Personnel shortages could force the Defence Force to abandon overseas deployments to concentrate on training the next generation.

In briefing papers considered by the Cabinet before May's Budget, the New Zealand Defence Force warns staffing shortages created by past high attrition rates were a "critical problem".

Overall, the force has a 14.2 per cent attrition rate, compared with 6 per cent in Canada and 8 per cent in Australia. Broken down, the Navy has 12.4 per cent attrition, the Air Force 11 per cent and the Army 16.6 per cent.

While the attrition rates had dropped after pay increases, they left "black holes" in each sector, the briefing papers said.

"The NZDF can ill-afford to lose personnel ... as they are both the future leaders and the trainers of the next generation.

"This means the NZDF may be put in a situation where it can either deploy on operations or train the next generation, rather than do both as it currently does."

The papers also said:

* Personnel shortages could result in inexperienced staff having to take on more senior positions.

* The introduction of new equipment, such as 105 light armoured vehicles (LAVs), Boeing 757s and Navy vessels, would place an extra burden on training and make it even more important to retain experienced personnel.

* Manning priorities had been met but that had created other shortages. * The Navy is 25 per cent short of lieutenants and leading hands.

New Zealand First MP Ron Mark said the papers showed that New Zealand would not be able to man new equipment.

A spokeswoman for Defence Minister Mark Burton said retention and recruitment issues were a concern but that the Government was trying to address them. It had given the force pay rises in each of the past three years.

- NZPA