Post by Dave Homewood on May 18, 2005 19:30:25 GMT 12
From
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3282737a11,00.html
The Government's inability to sell its mothballed squadron of Skyhawk fighter bombers for four years is set to be a continuing and expensive embarrassment.
The private United States pilot-training company lined up to buy the jets now says it cannot justify their purchase.
Advanced Training Systems International remained interested in the aircraft but "at present does not have a contract that would support their acquisition", company spokesman Ken Jensen said.
ATSI already operates 12 A-4 Skyhawks, similar to those that used to be flown by the air force, and last week the company ended a four-year programme to train 22 pilots for the United Arab Emirates.
It had proposals out to three other international forces for similar programmes and the company was continuing to talk to the UAE about its requirements.
The company had inspected the New Zealand Skyhawks and discussed various details of their history and utilisation.
"I believe the discussion on price was limited to the RNZAF telling the world the asking price," Mr Jensen said.
In September, 2001, it was estimated the 17 Skyhawks and all their spares could fetch $80 million.
However, they have still not been sold. The cost of storing and maintaining the jets has topped $7 million and a further $1 million has so far been paid to sales consultants.
Two years ago ATSI was reported to be close to buying the aircraft for an estimated $50 million.
Meanwhile, the air force's 17 Aermacchi jet trainers, which were also taken out of service in 2001, are also still waiting for a buyer.
Two years ago Ernst & Young consultant Gareth Morgan was hired to sell the aircraft.
The Malaysian Government was interested but the deal has still not been concluded.
Defence Minister Mark Burton said negotiations on the sale of the Skyhawks and Aermacchi jets were still under way.
www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3282737a11,00.html
The Government's inability to sell its mothballed squadron of Skyhawk fighter bombers for four years is set to be a continuing and expensive embarrassment.
The private United States pilot-training company lined up to buy the jets now says it cannot justify their purchase.
Advanced Training Systems International remained interested in the aircraft but "at present does not have a contract that would support their acquisition", company spokesman Ken Jensen said.
ATSI already operates 12 A-4 Skyhawks, similar to those that used to be flown by the air force, and last week the company ended a four-year programme to train 22 pilots for the United Arab Emirates.
It had proposals out to three other international forces for similar programmes and the company was continuing to talk to the UAE about its requirements.
The company had inspected the New Zealand Skyhawks and discussed various details of their history and utilisation.
"I believe the discussion on price was limited to the RNZAF telling the world the asking price," Mr Jensen said.
In September, 2001, it was estimated the 17 Skyhawks and all their spares could fetch $80 million.
However, they have still not been sold. The cost of storing and maintaining the jets has topped $7 million and a further $1 million has so far been paid to sales consultants.
Two years ago ATSI was reported to be close to buying the aircraft for an estimated $50 million.
Meanwhile, the air force's 17 Aermacchi jet trainers, which were also taken out of service in 2001, are also still waiting for a buyer.
Two years ago Ernst & Young consultant Gareth Morgan was hired to sell the aircraft.
The Malaysian Government was interested but the deal has still not been concluded.
Defence Minister Mark Burton said negotiations on the sale of the Skyhawks and Aermacchi jets were still under way.
,
, don't know if the pom's would have liked the deal but!!!!! ;D
).
)