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| ANZAC class Frigate; HMNZS Te Kaha (File Photo) |
By NICK LEE-FRAMPTON
WELLINGTON — New Zealand Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman has announced the government will invest NZ $100.9 million (US $86 million) of operating funds in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) in 2014/2015. Further details will be revealed when the budget is released May 15.
It is the first stage of an allocation of NZ $535.5 million in operating funds for the NZDF over the next four years, Coleman said.
“This … means the government is addressing the long-term funding gap which we inherited,” he said.
Although a lot of money had been spent ordering new kit, including new Seasprite SH-2G(I) naval helicopters, MAN Army trucks and a PT-6 pilot training package, Coleman said there is not enough funding to enable personnel to run them properly.
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