The thing about remaining with the NH90 and the NFH is that there are synergies from having basically the same fleet. We know that in 10 - 15 years we will have to replace the Sprites and as has been suggested by only buying 3 - 4 NFHs is a very false economy. You cannot swap and change between the NFH and the NH90 because of the systems. The radar is permanently installed, hence transferring the radar and accompanying coolant system is a major undertaking. Therefore a one for one replacement of Sprites by NFHs would be the most appropriate measure. If as suggested 3 - 4 NFHs were acquired then all you have is 3 - 4 ASW and ASuW capable helos with the certainity under the rule of threes that only 1 will be fully operational at any given time. Actually 9 give you certainty of having 3 operational at given time. The important thing to remember is that the RNZN helos first and main tasking is ASW and ASuW with anything else being of secondary priority.
The synergies I referred too, are related to having a fleet of one type. Acquiring extra NH90s are not going to cost as much as the initial purchase because they will be bought with more units being sold and production is at full rates of production. Of course the NFHs will cost extra but that is par for the course considering its systems. With these extra aircraft it probably would be a wise to buy 2 extra aircraft as attritional airframes for spares, just as we did with the original acquisition. I would also suggest giving serious consideration to acquiring a full flight simulator as well. I realise that this is an expensive package but it is based on working on an existing RNZAF aircraft and utilising a second and possibly third tranche methodology.
This approach would be cost effective in the long term because we would not be introducing a new aircraft type along with all its associated costs and on going logistical expenses over its subsequent life cycle. Instead we would be leveraging, if that's the correct term, an existing aircraft type and apart from the acquisition costs and associated costs because of the NFH specific systems, it's a lot cheaper an acquiring another type. Finally with the exit of the Sprites there is 1 less type costing the RNZAF money in seperate technical, logistical etc., support.
I am not advocating that the NZG go out and buy extra TTHs tomorrow although that would be nice
These acquisitions could be done over time, for example the NFH acquisition doesn't have to be looked at for another 5 - 7 years. However the TTH second tranche acquisition could be looked at in conjunction with the RNZAF air transport project and next years DWP.
Funding is always an issue and at some stage the NZG is going to have to make a choice, either start funding NZDF properly or if they don't NZDF is going to fall apart from resource starvation. However if they are willing to gradually increase NZDF funding to around 1.7% GDP in real dollars and be prepared to inject bulk capital funding over and above the annual NZDF budget in order to provide good capability such as suggested above then there is the probability that NZDF will be able to fullfill the JATF requirement properly and not half assed.
