pablo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30
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Post by pablo on May 22, 2008 20:46:58 GMT 12
Well the 2008 Budget is out, what is in it for defence?
New Zealand has traditionally neglected defence as an easy option to cut money when things are tight. With a changing market, and a less secure environment what is it more of the same?
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pablo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30
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Post by pablo on May 19, 2008 20:53:21 GMT 12
Yeah not long. But the cost of buying a new fleet is going to be Big money over a Billion easy. With all the other current needs of defence I guess they thought a few more years out of the old girls would give them time to save up agian and wait for new technology to bed in (ie the issues over the J's ironed out etc).
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pablo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30
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Post by pablo on May 19, 2008 20:36:48 GMT 12
Yes they are getting upgrades. I think 10 years is what they are expected to last for. Over 50 years out of a plane is not to bad after all. I think around 2018 is when A400s will be avaliable for customer from memory. (Coincidence ?)
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pablo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30
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Post by pablo on May 19, 2008 18:21:41 GMT 12
Yeah, I agree Beagle too expensive.
The 757 and A400s will be the most likely combo and the most practical
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pablo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30
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Post by pablo on May 19, 2008 17:53:04 GMT 12
Not sure if Euro trash is right words. I would take European designed and made product over US anyday. Ever owned an American car? Versus say a German or Italian one? However maybe we could do with a couple c 17's it's just the insane price of the things that will kill the idea.
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pablo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30
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Post by pablo on May 19, 2008 17:45:46 GMT 12
I see not many calls for strike capability in the replies.
Are we all resigned on that front?
I suggessted... Possibility of leasing or sharing costs with Aussies to get access to strike capabilty, maybe the J35 programme? Reinstate Aermacchi's to improve training and aide recruitment.
Also combat Helos (tigers) to give some airsupport to our operations when needed.
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pablo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30
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Post by pablo on May 18, 2008 23:46:16 GMT 12
Yeah,
I agree it won't be long before they are needed to rescue hurt trampers and train staff and comit to an exercise with the SAS all at the same time.
As usual the Politicians but $ before doing the job properly!
We need at least of dozen of these to fulfil all the roles set down for them.
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pablo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30
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Post by pablo on May 18, 2008 23:38:16 GMT 12
C17s a nice dream, but more attainable would be a fleet of 6 A400m's to replace our aging Hercs.
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pablo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30
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Post by pablo on May 18, 2008 23:34:18 GMT 12
A little belated but I only just joined today!
My vision for RNZAF...(in the nearish future)!
Since Bruce originally posted in 2005 things have changed dramtically, so I thought an updated version would be interesting.
I would first like to see Whenuapai and Hobsonville continue in their current functions, due to their strategic importance and proximity to NZ's major population base and therefore labour supply (Bulls is not the easiest place to attract people to)!
I would like to see another 10 109LUH's purchased along with 6 more NH90's for the Navy to repalce seasprites in time.
A small contingent of Tigers (therefore maintaning cost savings by keeping similar avionics etc) as our other helos.
6, A 400M for transport to replace Hercs.
6 P 8's to replace or P3's
Possibility of leasing or sharing costs with Aussies to get access to strike capabilty, maybe the J35 programme? Reinstate Aermacchi's to improve training and aide recruitment.
Increase personnel numbers and payrates to retain staff.
Pablo.
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