Peter Le Franchi/CANBERRA
The New Zealand Ministry of Defence has put its 19 McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawks up for sale, with the Philippines confirmed as one of the nations being targeted as a buyer.
Philippine president Joseph Estrada and Philippine air force chief of air staff Gen Wilfredo Florendo are expected to examine the aircraft this week during a visit to New Zealand for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Community talks in Auckland.
The New Zealand defence ministry says the sale process has included approaches to countries via a combination of commercial and diplomatic channels.
The Philippines is said to be "interested". Last December, the New Zealand Ministry of Defence suggested that the A-4s could sell for at least NZ$50 million ($26 million), and that "it is quite possible that a higher value will be obtained". The A-4s were upgraded in the three-year Project Kahu programme, completed in 1991.
New Zealand is finalising a deal to lease 28 F-16A/B fighters from the USA. The Royal New Zealand Air Force expects to move fully to F-16 operations within 30 months.
The Philippines is exploring the purchase or lease of secondhand fighters to offset delays in a major modernisation programme. A proposed acquisition of 23 ex-Kuwaiti air force A-4s was stalled after Estrada raised concerns over funding. The air force has also considered buying used Northrop F-5s from the Taiwanese air force, to boost its small fighter force of eight F-5As and two twin-seat F-5Bs.
Source: Flight International
