Nice to have it down here. Shame it is not flying and only a static display.
No they will not be present. The Japanese presence is a JASDF KC-767, which I believe is then going on to Avalon. The RNZAF would have had a good look at the P-1 when it was here last November. Note also that the KC-390 will not be present as well. Whether or not the Brazilians were given an invitation is unknown to me.
The A-400M left Nadi this morning so would expect it OH this arvo / evening depending upon if it flies direct or via AKL.
I believe this is for Big Gerry to inspect the onboard galley facilities.
He'll be disappointed - it doesn't come fitted with a galley. Maybe the Army can supply a field kitchen when required.
Jellied eels and pickled cabbage?Probably a sumptuous luncheon at the British High Commission will follow.
There is actually a very small galley space in the avionics and storage bay. It was the first thing I checked for when I heard Gerry became the DefMin as I realised it would be a significant dimension in him proffering his advice to Cabinet. Not big but as long as it can store a dozen of his favourite Iced Buns and keep warm his Mince & Cheese Pies he will be a happy camper.
I don't know. Airbus has it's own corruption scandal as well (civil aircraft) so that side of things is nothing new in general. Leonardo have ongoing ones as well as undoubtedly do other companies, although they are most likely better or luckier at not being caught. The Indians are always banning companies for corrupt or alleged corrupt practices, which speaks to problems within their system as well.
No. Because that article, which superficially deals with a longstanding gripe between the investor nations and the consortium over realistic developmental funding levels stretching back nearly 15 years, has nothing to do with any possible procurement contract between the NZ Govt and Airbus. Note that the linked article mentions that the penalty is putting pressure on another new project and not the A400M.
The truth is that Airbus even though it is now a listed corporate entity it started life as a typical European multi-governmental Groupement d'Intérêt Économique organisation and the political meddling has always been there for good and for bad as there has always been the whiff of Brussels hanging over its shoulders. Louis Chenevert of P&W has indeed said "I told you so" when it came to being able to deliver, but alas it was European politics that had to have it there way. I would not sheet all the blame home to the corporate entity that is the latest incarnation of Airbus - quite a lot has to do with the political dimension that forced them into certain engineering cul de sac's that have had fiscal repercussions.
Good to see the A400 making this visit and importantly, giving defence and govt officials the opportunity to get to know its capabilities first hand.
They were cutting it close because apparently one fell over ( went u\s - broke down) in Aussie and a replacement had to be organised from Japan.RNZAF Twitter feed has the two F-16C's and the KC-135 just landed minutes ago at OH.
https://twitter.com/NZAirForce?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^author
Great to see the F-16 back at OH after 30 years and 15 years on from when they should have been there with Kiwi roundels.
If history had gone 'better' maybe they would have just gone through their MLU upgrades to V standard in time for the RNZAF's 80th ....
Oh well ....