// Air Power Development Centre (APDC)

The mission of the RNZAF's Air Power Development Centre is: To research, formulate, and disseminate air power doctrine for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and associated organisations.

Advances in military technology, information systems and organisational processes are occurring at a pace and frequency unprecedented in history. So rapid is this change the very nature of warfare is assuming a new identity. This in turn demands the utility of air power be constantly and vigorously challenged and assessed in the contexts of maintaining the continuum of national political objectives in times of peace as well as the direct employment of this power in times of conflict. Awareness regarding the purpose of air power, and the latest developments which affect it, is increasingly considered essential to the professional development and focus of all those who serve in the RNZAF or are associated with its functions.

The APDC has been established for the specific purpose of monitoring, analysing, generating and promulgating air power doctrine of specific relevance to New Zealand. It aims to ensure that everyone in the RNZAF is well informed and focused on the core purpose of the service and the issues that will determine its future shape, size, roles and tasks. It also serves to communicate an understanding of the raison d'ê tre of the RNZAF to wider interests, both within and without the immediate Defence community.

The APDC will monitor new and developing air power concepts, analyse and debate the relevance of these ideas to the New Zealand circumstances, promulgate and update pertinent information, and facilitate and catalyse discussion throughout the broader RNZAF (and its sister and parent organisations). The unit will offer a centre of focus for the establishment of the RNZAF's doctrinal research and writing process.

APDC staff are charged with specific duties and responsibilities as follow:

• Formulation of RNZAF air power doctrine.
• Provision of advice on overseas air power developments and the implications of these developments for RNZAF Orders of Battle (orbats) and capabilities.
• Provision of advice on the implementation and application of RNZAF air power doctrine in RNZAF and NZ Defence Force (NZDF) sponsored exercises.
• Dissemination of RNZAF air power doctrine to RNZAF personnel, NZDF and Ministry of Defence personnel, and public and civilian organisations through lectures, briefings and presentations.

In support of these duties the APDC will liaise with the RAAF, RAF, CAF, USAF and other allied national forces and institutions making recognised contributions to contemporary air power advancement. Within New Zealand the unit will liaise with the Army, the Royal New Zealand Navy and accredited academic institutions on air power doctrine in the context of the wider profession of arms.

The APDC is not intended to match in size, nature or output, the USAF Air Warfare College, the NZDF Command and Staff College, or the RAAF Air Power Studies Centre. It does, however, share in common with these organisations an appreciation that some organisational provision is required to keep service people versed in advanced air power thinking.

The establishment of a dedicated air power studies unit in New Zealand is of special importance in asserting the belief that not all internationally derived air power doctrine has automatic relevance to every nation. While the basic principles of air power are irrevocable, pervading and all enduring, some 'customisation' may be required on occasions to ensure that practical doctrine acknowledges unique national circumstances. To date New Zealand is one of the few 'small' nations to formally recognise and act on this requirement through the establishment of a dedicated unit.

The RNZAF established the Air Power Development Centre (APDC) in June 1997. The APDC is part of Air Staff and reports to the Director Air Force Plans.