Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee has revealed how the Government plans to spend $20 billion to boost New Zealand's defence capability.

On Wednesday the minister launched the Defence Capability Plan, the next step of the Defence White Paper released in June and sets out the Government's expectations for defence over the coming decades.

'Since then the Government has agreed to the procurement of an ice-strengthened naval tanker and high mobility vehicles for the Special Air Service. It has also approved upgrades to the underwater surveillance capability of the P-3 Orion and has requested tenders for a littoral operations vessel.”

Gerry says in response to an assessment of the Defence White Paper, the Government will also invest in an ice-strengthened offshore patrol vessel, replacement of our maritime surveillance aircraft in the 2020s, and a cyber protection and support capability for deployed forces.

Other major investments over the period include replacing the ANZAC frigates with modern combat vessels; new transport aircraft to replace the C-130 and B757 fleets; digitising land forces through the Network Enabled Army programme; rolling purchases of modern weapons and protective equipment; protected mobility vehicles; and secure strategic communications capabilities.

'For the first time, the Defence Capability Plan includes indicative capital cost and schedule bands for major projects, to demonstrate the relative scale and timing of the investments.

'For New Zealand suppliers, knowing the size and scope of capability investment opens up opportunities for partnering with other contractors to provide through-life support arrangements for major assets, or to suggest niche technology solutions.

Gerry says the $1.7b programme of capital investment to rejuvenate the Defence Estate is one of the biggest opportunities for New Zealand suppliers to be involved in, particularly the local construction sector.

'New Zealanders expect NZDF personnel to be well equipped and trained for operations, and the significant investment in new capabilities detailed in this Plan will ensure that this occurs,” Mr Brownlee says.

To read the Defence Capability Plan in full visit the New Zealand Defence Force website at: www.defence.govt.nz