Nh-90???

[RubiconNZ]

Labour to the left and greens even more so.......

Perhaps they will just lease out the training capacity then forget about the rest, man that would annoy the hell out of me, real oppurtunity to advance a capability, even 8 NHR90's are ridulous amount :nutkick , things like the state of defence etc is what made it easier to become an aussie, anywho maybe scuttlebut is wrong and they will buy 12:unknown

 

[Whiskyjack]

Perhaps they will just lease out the training capacity then forget about the rest, man that would annoy the hell out of me, real oppurtunity to advance a capability, even 8 NHR90's are ridulous amount :nutkick , things like the state of defence etc is what made it easier to become an aussie, anywho maybe scuttlebut is wrong and they will buy 12:unknown

The problem is that while the NH90 is a very capable transport helo for the army it really needs something like the EC635 in the LUH role to support it on ops and also in NZ for SAR and training. My opinion anyway

 

[RubiconNZ]

Combining Strengths...

I completely agree having a NhR90 out on SAR would mostly be a little overkill, I hope I was mentioning a worst case scenario.

 

[RubiconNZ]

NZ's new LUH

While looking for LUH options I found this...

http://www.asynchronous.org/tsled/Pictures/MeFly.jpg

Maybe that would be Worst Case...

 

[Sea Toby]

As long as New Zealand acquires 8 NH-90s they will get the minimum number for the transport role, and a good one at that. However, the government should come up with the extra funds to acquire 6-8 EC635s for the training, reconnaisance, search and rescue, and air support roles. And it wouldn't hurt to acquire another 2 NH-90s either, more than likely one or two will be loss in the next 20-30 years. After all, there is a budget surplus.

Options for 2-4 will come and go before New Zealand loses one. When in the past has New Zealand ever took up an option?

If this government only acquires 8 NH-90s, and zero LUHs, the opposition parties should cry bloody murder. This is just another case of the air force being shorted again. I wonder how Labour will spin this lack of appropriate funding?

 

[Whiskyjack]

As long as New Zealand acquires 8 NH-90s they will get the minimum number for the transport role, and a good one at that. However, the government should come up with the extra funds to acquire 6-8 EC635s for the training, reconnaisance, search and rescue, and air support roles. And it wouldn't hurt to acquire another 2 NH-90s either, more than likely one or two will be loss in the next 20-30 years. After all, there is a budget surplus.

Options for 2-4 will come and go before New Zealand loses one. When in the past has New Zealand ever took up an option?

If this government only acquires 8 NH-90s, and zero LUHs, the opposition parties should cry bloody murder. This is just another case of the air force being shorted again. I wonder how Labour will spin this lack of appropriate funding?

IMO the NZDF needs around 10-14 LUH, to allow for training and SAR in NZ and deployment alongside the NH90 and I agree a minimum of 8 NH90s.

 

[Lucasnz]

IMO the NZDF needs around 10-14 LUH, to allow for training and SAR in NZ and deployment alongside the NH90 and I agree a minimum of 8 NH90s.

I'd agree with those figures. Though I don't know how NZ is going to get on if 4 NH-90 are deployed on the MRV, with only 4 left for training, Maintenance etc in NZ.

 

[Whiskyjack]

I'd agree with those figures. Though I don't know how NZ is going to get on if 4 NH-90 are deployed on the MRV, with only 4 left for training, Maintenance etc in NZ.

I would think given some of the availability stats, that 50% deployment, 25% training and 25% maintainence will keep aircrew current, training with the Army may become more difficult tho...

 

[KH-12]

Even with the slight drop in the Kiwi / Euro x-rate , there was a budget of up to $NZ560m for the combined Helicopter project , I would have thought that that was sufficient for 8 NH-90's and say 10 EC635 , especially if the NH90's are relatively basic in configuration. I would imagine an EC635 could be had for around the $5M mark and an NH90 for maybe $35M without alot of extras. The way the RNZAF is moving with regards logistics support they should be able to minimise the amount spent on holding spare parts and put that money into the capital project.

http://81.144.183.107/Articles/2006/06/06/Navigation/197/207071/NZ+confirms+NH90+strategy+.html

 

[Whiskyjack]

Even with the slight drop in the Kiwi / Euro x-rate , there was a budget of up to $NZ560m for the combined Helicopter project , I would have thought that that was sufficient for 8 NH-90's and say 10 EC635 , especially if the NH90's are relatively basic in configuration. I would imagine an EC635 could be had for around the $5M mark and an NH90 for maybe $35M without alot of extras. The way the RNZAF is moving with regards logistics support they should be able to minimise the amount spent on holding spare parts and put that money into the capital project.

http://81.144.183.107/Articles/2006/06/06/Navigation/197/207071/NZ+confirms+NH90+strategy+.html

I tend to agree, but if the support costs are included it would explain the extra NZ$100m I think.

 

[harryriedl]

would mill versions of bell jet rangers also compare with the ec635 or is npt ecomicly viable or imparitical

 

[KH-12]

I think the requirement specified a twin engine design (to enable it to serve as a lead-in trainer for the NH90) so I guess that if Bell was an option it would be something like the 427

http://www.bellhelicopter.textron.com/en/aircraft/commercial/bell427.cfm

I think it would be unlikely for the decision to go outside the Eurocopter stable with production facilities being located in Australia, and Australia commiting to the European option with NH90/Tiger, there is also the commonality of cockpit design which would work against a US/European mix.

 

[harryriedl]

so its the right size but ecomic resones make IT pontless as aus is benifiting from the eurocopter deal

 

[Stuart Mackey]

A trusted source indicates that the NH-90 purchace will be very limited and will be spaced over a number of years. I will be extreamly surpised if even 8 are brought and apparantly the overall maintainace costs are viewd as horrific {no news of heart attacks yet}.
Havent heard on LUH choice or numbers yet.