New Zealand, Australia swap senior military commanders

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The armed forces of New Zealand and Australia have swapped deputy commanders at their respective joint forces headquarters, signaling that they consider the defense of their nations an interconnected affair.

New Zealand’s Defence Minister Judith Collins and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles welcomed the appointments during the Oct. 2 South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) in Auckland.

The two joint forces headquarters are responsible for the planning, control and conduct of their respective country’s military operations.

The appointment of New Zealand Army officer Maj. Gen. Hugh McAslan is the highest-level senior posting of an officer from a foreign military into the Australian forces. The corresponding Australian appointment went to Army Brigadier Michael Bassingthwaighte.

Chief of New Zealand’s Defence Force, Air Marshal Tony Davies, said: “With this reciprocal arrangement that has seen an Australian Army Brigadier appointed as Deputy Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, I am confident we will continue to work well together as allies to ensure our security.”

Equipment currently operated by both countries includes the P-8 and C-130J-30 maritime and transport aircraft and Bushmaster vehicles. New Zealand’s replenishment ship, HMNZS Aotearoa, is supporting Australian warships as the Royal Australian Navy’s own supply vessels are unavailable until early next year.

Nick Lee-Frampton is the New Zealand correspondent for Defense News.

新西兰惠灵顿——新西兰和澳大利亚的武装部队在其各自的联合部队总部互换了副指挥官，这表明他们认为保卫国家是一件相互关联的事情。

新西兰国防部长朱迪思·柯林斯和澳大利亚国防部长理查德·马尔斯在10月2日于奥克兰举行的南太平洋国防部长会议（SPDMM）上对这些任命表示欢迎。

这两个联合部队司令部分别负责各自国家军事行动的计划、控制和实施。

新西兰陆军少将休·麦克阿斯兰的任命是迄今为止外国军官在澳大利亚军队中获得的最高级别高级任命。澳大利亚方面相应的任命则授予了陆军准将迈克尔·巴辛斯韦特。

新西兰国防军总司令托尼·戴维斯空军上将表示：“通过这项互惠安排，澳大利亚陆军准将被任命为新西兰联合部队副司令，我相信我们将继续作为盟友密切合作，确保我们的安全。”

目前两国共同使用的装备包括P-8和C-130J-30海上运输机以及“大毒蛇”装甲车。由于澳大利亚皇家海军的补给舰要到明年年初才能投入使用，新西兰的补给舰“奥特亚罗瓦”号正在为澳大利亚军舰提供支援。

Nick Lee-Frampton 是《国防新闻》驻新西兰记者。