New Zealand's Defence rethink urged

New Zealand needs a major defence rethink to identify medium to long-term threats and move away from planning based on World War 1 strategies, says a defence commentator.

Victoria University's Centre for Strategic Studies senior fellow Dr Lance Beath said New Zealand also needed to move away from a defence strategy based on the army with the navy and air force in support roles, and move towards more warships for the navy and a return to a combat air force.

Dr Beath, who has worked for the Ministry of Defence managing strategic and international policy, said New Zealand must look outside the Pacific Basin at other high-risk areas, including the Middle East.

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