Combat : ( ~$6bil [not including options])
36 Modern Western Fighter Aircraft ( F-35 or Eurofighter)
18 Light strike/training jets (BAE Hawk)
6 Armed Attack Helicopters (Tiger ARH)
Frankly, this to me looks like just another Christmas wishlist some people might have for the RNZAF. I say this because again it largely consists of just a list of equipment, without any explanation of where the equipment would fit within NZDF needs, why the particular kit would be selected, the basis for the numbers to be purchased, or over what timeframe the equipment would be purchased. Perhaps even more importantly, there is no mention of how the RNZAF is going to afford to purchase the equipment, nevermind the ongoing operational costs.
Take the 60 aircraft listed for the ACF, a price of $6 billion is listed for 36 JSF or Typhoons, 18 Hawk variants and 6 Tigers... Given that neither the curreny or year of purchase is listed, that figure sounds too low to be anything other than the fly-away cost in Kiwi dollars. Even then, NZ$6 billion might not be enough. To keep things in perspective, Government has allocated ~NZ$600 million annually over a decade (IIRC part of the LTDP) for the purchase of new and replacement kit, across the entire NZDF. In effect, the 60 combat aircraft would consume an entire decade of the NZDF equipment budget without leaving any funding left for any other equipment purchases across the entirety of the NZDF. It also ignores all the extra personnel and support services which would be required if the number of fixed wing aircraft within the RNZAF tripled.
Care to explain where this funding will come from, or how the NZDF will afford to operate the equipment listed if/when they enter service? I will not even bother to address the other pieces of kit listed, as what has been touched on so far should be sufficient to illustrate how far from reality the wishlist is, barring some as yet unmentioned but very good explanation.
Now, onto the final paragraph.
The air force is the force that will be the biggest change. To re-establish the combat capability, an order of the light/training jets will be placed and negotiations with Britian will take place. While this is happening, a base will be constructed in Auckland. A British commander will be recruited to be the Chief of air force and will be the base commander at Auckland, as currently no one in New Zealand is capable of this. Negotitions for training by British pilots will be undertaken, and 36 new pilots will be sent Britian with their new commander to train. Once trained, they will come back and the 36 fighters will be purchased.
I would be very interested to see the source for the list, as it appears given the first sentence, to be just a part of a larger plan to change the NZDF...
Moving right along then. What reason would there be for NZ to start negotiations with the UK for anything? The only reason that makes sense to me would be if (big IF) the ACF was to be restarted and Hawk trainers and/or light attack aircraft were to be ordered as part of an equipment order. However, there are other aircraft which can fufill the same role(s) and perhaps would be a better choice in terms of cost and/or capability for the RNZAF.
As for building a base at Auckland, why would that be necessary? Per the
RNZAF site, Base Auckland already exists and includes Whenuapai airfield. Additionally, there is a separate facility at what had been Hobsonville airfield which also is considered part of Base Auckland.
Now, what explanation can be provided as to why a British commander needs to be recruited for the post of Chief of Air Force? The RNZAF already has a CAF, and a brief bio is available
here. If (again, big IF) the ACF is re-started, why would a Kiwi officer not be suitable for the post of CAF? The CAF should not be personally conducting combat missions, or for that matter be base commanders either. The CAF's role is to lead the entire RNZAF and deal with all that entails.
As for the Kiwi pilots being trained by the UK... It would largely depend on which aircraft end up being selected, but given the aircraft numbers and types listed IMO the RNZAF should be able to conduct training domestically once a small number of pilots get trained to use the new aircraft, and then qualified to be trainers on for these new aircraft. The RNZAF already has its own flight training programme, what would be required is training to transition pilots into a fast jet environment and then have them rated for whatever type aircraft they would serve with. Sending everyone to the UK for training would really only be required if the RNZAF did not have its own training establishment.
When I get a chance, I will outline what I think would be the most sensible method for the RNZAF to re-establish an ACF if the NZDF desired to do so. It will probably be a few days before I get to do so, but I will attempt to cover the number and types of aircraft, where they would be based, the timeframe required for them to enter service, as well as what the startup and ongoing cost estimates would be.
-Cheers
