Australia-NZ-Joint-Defense-Force:
Do away with the US entirely, I wonder?
In an Australian perspective.The Kiwis are useful for South Pacific police actions. As long as we put them in place. The American alliance provides access to very high levels of miltary technology, intelligence and training. The Defence relationship between Australia and the US is vital.
Your suggestion would be nothing but a burden on the Australian taxpayer. That is, we officially subsidise the myopic regional defence interests of New Zealand. Where as now, we unofficially do.
For example, if order breaks down in a South Pacific nation due a natural disaster or civil unrest. Australia ( and probably the US ) would provide the bulk of the logistical air and sea capabilties.
Move the scenarios further afield- PNG & the Indonesian archipelago- and the Kiwis are even more 'token'.
The New Zealand air force should be labelled a Police Air Wing. The Navy a coastguard and the army 'peacekeepers'- with a SWAT like SAS capability.
Bludgers.
