Projects in definition

During the definition phase the Ministry of Defence (the Ministry) works with the Defence Force to define future capabilities that are needed. Business cases are then prepared to enable Government to make investment decisions.

Using the Government’s Better Business Case model, projects progress through the stages of the investment process, supported at each stage as required by these business cases:

  • Initial thinking in the indicative business case.
  • A decision to go to market through the detailed business case or single stage business case.
  • The final decision on the capability and the commitment of funding through the project implementation business case.

Key Defence capability projects in the definition phase (pre-contract) include:  

  • Maritime Helicopter Replacement (Seasprite replacement): the project is considering options for replacing the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF's) naval helicopter capabilities. The current fleet of eight SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopters, provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), along with combat and utility effects for the Navy.   
  • Future Air Mobility Capability Strategic (Boeing 757 replacement): the project is considering possible options for replacing the NZDF’s strategic air transport capabilities, currently comprised of two Boeing 757 aircraft.  
  • Upgrading digital services - phase one of a project to update the NZDF's classified environment.
  • Improving national maritime domain awareness: the project will deliver a subscription to a cloud-based computer application providing a real time picture of what is happening in New Zealand's maritime domain.   
  • Utility vehicles: this project will replace the remaining fleet of Unimog and Pinzgauer trucks, which are approaching their planned end-of-life date. These vehicles will be used to transport people and equipment safely and securely within areas of operation. They will be used on all operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to combat operations.
  • Cyber Security Support Capability: a project to uplift the NZDF’s military cyber capability by delivering an enhanced Defensive Cyber Operations capability to actively protect and defend networks, platforms and systems.

Defence capability projects in the early definition phase include:  

  • Maritime Fleet Renewal: all of the Navy’s vessels, with the exception of the tanker, HMNZS Aotearoa, are due to reach the end of their life between 2032 and 2036. The Naval Fleet Renewal project was initiated so as to use this opportunity to rethink and improve the structure of the NZDF’s maritime system, including by reducing the number of ship classes; achieving greater concurrency across ships; and workforce optimisation. The Naval Fleet Renewal process will support the development of the Defence Capability Plan. It will also provide advice to Government on future fleet configuration and the timing for future business cases.  

During the definition phase the Ministry of Defence (the Ministry) works with the Defence Force to define future capabilities that are needed. Business cases are then prepared to enable Government to make investment decisions.

Using the Government’s Better Business Case model, projects progress through the stages of the investment process, supported at each stage as required by these business cases:

  • Initial thinking in the indicative business case.
  • A decision to go to market through the detailed business case or single stage business case.
  • The final decision on the capability and the commitment of funding through the project implementation business case.

Key Defence capability projects in the definition phase (pre-contract) include:  

  • Maritime Helicopter Replacement (Seasprite replacement): the project is considering options for replacing the New Zealand Defence Force’s (NZDF's) naval helicopter capabilities. The current fleet of eight SH-2G(I) Seasprite helicopters, provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), along with combat and utility effects for the Navy.   
  • Future Air Mobility Capability Strategic (Boeing 757 replacement): the project is considering possible options for replacing the NZDF’s strategic air transport capabilities, currently comprised of two Boeing 757 aircraft.  
  • Upgrading digital services - phase one of a project to update the NZDF's classified environment.
  • Improving national maritime domain awareness: the project will deliver a subscription to a cloud-based computer application providing a real time picture of what is happening in New Zealand's maritime domain.   
  • Utility vehicles: this project will replace the remaining fleet of Unimog and Pinzgauer trucks, which are approaching their planned end-of-life date. These vehicles will be used to transport people and equipment safely and securely within areas of operation. They will be used on all operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to combat operations.
  • Cyber Security Support Capability: a project to uplift the NZDF’s military cyber capability by delivering an enhanced Defensive Cyber Operations capability to actively protect and defend networks, platforms and systems.

Defence capability projects in the early definition phase include:  

  • Maritime Fleet Renewal: all of the Navy’s vessels, with the exception of the tanker, HMNZS Aotearoa, are due to reach the end of their life between 2032 and 2036. The Naval Fleet Renewal project was initiated so as to use this opportunity to rethink and improve the structure of the NZDF’s maritime system, including by reducing the number of ship classes; achieving greater concurrency across ships; and workforce optimisation. The Naval Fleet Renewal process will support the development of the Defence Capability Plan. It will also provide advice to Government on future fleet configuration and the timing for future business cases.