Rationale for Mistral
I thought that issue was the rationale behind the acquisition of the Mistral SAM system in the first place?
Supposedly reliable allies didn't have the capability to provide deployed NZ elements with air defence capability when they actually needed it (ie: in Bosnia)?
If memory serves, I recall that the key rationale for the 1990s National government purchasing the Mistral was the Bosnia experience, where the NZ coy attached to the UN had no modern anti-armour or anti-aircraft weapons - and so had to be based in a 'quieter' area. Bearing in mind that one faction in that civil war used T-series tanks, combat helos and strike jets.
The comments about Coalition airpower are well taken, but (prior to 2001) almost all NZ's deployments had been in the context of UN missions, with no organic air assets. Must be a significant likelihood that another 'UN' mission to a Middle East civil war is on the cards (given that the USA appears less interested in intervening), and so a request to NZ would duly follow - for posting in a region where one faction has T-series tanks, combat helos, and strike jets...