Reply With QuoteNever happen, no money, no motivation, and many would argue no need
Alfa
Will New Zealand get new Jet Fighters ?
About 12 years ago New Zealand retired its skyhawks and has since not replaced them. They looked at purchasing a number of F16's off the US but cancelled due to the cost.
But is it now time for the New Zealand goverment to readdress the issue of it's lack of air defence in this area. And with the Superhornet Eurofighter and Joint Strike fighters now coming into service should they be looking at wheather they could purchase or lease a number of fighter to protect NZ airspace. Or does the RAAF currently protect NZ airspace in some way now ?
Never happen, no money, no motivation, and many would argue no need
Alfa
Nothing worth invading New Zealand for- unless you need ****loads of scaffolding or concreteing doneOriginally Posted by Alfacentori
[/tongue in cheek]
If NZ were to fork out for fighters - that's a big if - it wouldn't be new shyt like the Super Hornet or Lightning. They could maybe spring for 12-24 Gripens or F-16s. Not likely even that.
or Typhoons if enough come up cheap enough if Germany & UK scale orders back
Not in our lifetime i dont think.
Maybe when NZ becomes a the South Islands of Australia LOL
Is there any need for jet fighters? (not a flame btw, honest question).
Have been looking at NZ military recently(thread on another forum), its similar in size, role, budget etc to Ireland which also no longer operates fighters due to costs.IMHO future investment in the RNZAF should be transport or maritime patrol aircraft which are getting on in years.
If NZ was ever really interesting in keeping its fingers in the fighter pie it would be better if it joined the RAAF in the JSF program, pay a small percentage of the costs for the new aircraft, base say 6-10 of the RAAF's JSF's in NZ with NZ pilots and ground crews etc, and integrate them as part of the RAAF.
Alfa
No
10 characters
Does New Zealand have the money to even acquire any new fighters?
The same New Zealand that things having 105 NZLAVs is "too much"? I don't think so.
It's a shame the Kiwi Aermacchis were retired. They were neat machines and good for at least keeping a light attack/advanced training capability. I doubt NZ will go for fighters... maybe something like a Hawk 200 would be better suited for their needs. Small, capable and affordable.
The NZ government quickly shot down (no pun intended) rumors that some trainers may be taken back into service a few years ago...maybe I'm being ignorant but the New Zealand gov. doesn't seem to care too much about the state of the NZDF.
Perhaps a program similar to the RNZN's Project Protector can be applied to the air force.
That is to take a comprehensive look at the air fleet and match it with potential challeneges.
Looking at the air fleet, the highest priority should be the P-3 Orion replacement. Perhaps a combination of P-8 and CN-235MP.
the skyhawks are still sitting in woodburn covered in plastic
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