A retired lieutenant can't see how a boost in defence funding will fill missing skills and trades. 

New Zealand's injecting $12 billion into defence over four years – $9 billion of which is new spending.  

It includes enhancing our strike capabilities, replacing the Boeing 757 fleet, and upgrading our javelin anti-tank missiles. 

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Ricketts told Andrew Dickens the navy, army, and air force already have more vehicles than they can staff. 

He says a commitment to spend more money on gear is great but without more personnel, the plan will fall apart. 

LISTEN ABOVE 

A retired lieutenant can't see how a boost in defence funding will fill missing skills and trades.&nbsp;
New Zealand's injecting $12 billion into defence over four years – $9 billion of which is new spending. &nbsp;
It includes enhancing our strike capabilities, replacing the Boeing 757 fleet, and upgrading our javelin anti-tank missiles.&nbsp;
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Hayden Ricketts told Andrew Dickens the navy, army, and air force already have more vehicles than they can staff.&nbsp;
He says a commitment to spend more money on gear is great but without more personnel, the plan will fall apart.&nbsp;
LISTEN ABOVE&nbsp;

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

A fresh and intelligent start to your day - catch the very latest international and domestic news developments, sport, entertainment and business on Early Edition with Ryan Bridge, on Newstalk ZB.

Early Edition with Ryan Bridge

Hayden Ricketts: Retired Lieutenant Colonel on the Government's new $12 billion defence spending plan

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/9e64c8b4-628a-415b-ac1b-b2b801715937/transcript