Peter La Franchi/CANBERRA
The Royal New Zealand Air Force's combat wing is to be scrapped, with its 17 McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawks and 16 Aermacchi MB339CBs to be disposed of by the end of this year, under a major restructuring of the nation's defence forces.
The RNZAF will retain its Lockheed Martin P-3K Orions and could gain additional aircraft for littoral maritime surveillance. Lockheed Martin C-130H transports and Bell UH-1H helicopters are to be upgraded or replaced.
The P-3s could be armed with Boeing AGM-84 Harpoon anti-ship missiles (ASM) while the Royal New Zealand Navy's Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters may receive Kongsberg Penguin ASMs. Two Boeing 727s are to be replaced and a study is underway to determine whether a purchase, lease or charter as needed is the best way forward.
New Zealand Government figures indicate that operating the A-4s and MB339s to 2010 would cost NZ$1.2 billion ($495million). However, scrapping the aircraft is only expected to save NZ$870 million as funding is at a basic level "that could be sustained on a long term basis".
The previous New Zealand National Party administration had planned to sell the A-4Ks and replace them with leased Lockheed Martin F-16s. The incoming Labour government terminated the plan in late 1999. The National Party has vowed to reverse the combat wing scrapping although the capability will not have existed for two years by the next national elections in late 2003.
The move will end naval air support training provided to Australia from the end of this year despite a request from Australian Prime Minister John Howard that this be extended to 2003. Australia is exploring the use of its BAE Systems Hawks or contractor services. Disbanding the combat force is expected to result in the New Zealand Army purchasing air defence training from the Royal Australian Air Force.
Retention of the Orions comes despite last year's cancellation of a mission system upgrade. The New Zealand Government says retaining the aircraft is a "prudent" measure, with the P-3Ks to be used for civilian and military roles with a "limited" mission system upgrade using "quality commercial systems wherever possible".
The government identifies a need for short and medium range air patrol, which could be contractor provided. The RNZAF could meet the role "with additional aircraft similar to the [Raytheon] King Air. A separate study is required to identify the most cost effective solution," it says.
Source: Flight International
