Why has the Government decided not to proceed with Project Sirius?

• A decision on Project Sirius was necessary because of a looming contract deadline.
• The Government is determined that major acquisitions will appropriately contribute to the long-term requirements of the NZDF. Agreeing to Project Sirius would have committed over half a billion dollars to a specific capability, before there had been a clear assessment of whether it was the best way, or even an appropriate way, to meet our needs.

What was the projected cost of Project Sirius?

• The latest costing for Project Sirius was over $550 million (including GST).

What will happen to the Orions?

• The Orions will continue to carry out their normal functions.

Aren't the Orions obsolete?

• No. The Orions have been re-winged and remain suitable aircraft for conducting maritime surveillance
• Some of the equipment installed in the Orions is 1960s and 1970s technology.
• Most of this technology remains serviceable but is approaching the end of its life.

Have the Australians, the other members of the Five Power Defence Arrangement and the Americans been informed of the decision?

• Yes. They were pleased to be kept informed.
• The Australians, other members of the FPDA and the Americans understand that New Zealand's major defence spending decisions are for the New Zealand Government to make.

Doesn't this decision mean New Zealand will be failing to pull its weight in regional security?

• No. On the contrary, the decisions taken this week demonstrate that this Government is committed to a high quality defence capability, based on a credible assessment of our current and future needs.

What is being done to assess New Zealand future maritime patrol needs?

• The Government has accepted that New Zealand's future requirements for maritime patrol include a wide range of non-military functions.
• These functions include surveillance for:
  • Fisheries
  • Resource management
  • Conservation
  • Pollution
  • Immigration
  • Customs
  • Maritime safety and
  • Search and rescue purposes

• A group of Ministers, comprising the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Finance, Minister of Defence and the Minister of Fisheries, in consultation with other relevant portfolio ministers, will:
  • Examine how the civilian requirements for maritime patrol, as outlined above, can best be met
  • Examine, in light of the Defence Policy Framework, whether a military maritime patrol capability should be maintained.
• The group of Ministers will report back by the end of February 2001.