Agreed MrC. Same can be said for the Makos. Leave them home and use them domestically. Deploy the A/LUHs in support of operations. Agreed the lift capacity isn’t great, 1000 kg compared to 1500 kg for a Huey, but it’s worth something over nothing.
I agree the addition of another type would be beneficial but is it a reality.
As Ngati says even a couple more NH90 would go along way.
Just a fact clarification: The modern Huey II has 2200kg internal and 2250kg underslung a big improvement over the old Huey's.
Is it a reality? Don't know, but it should be and that is why I am raising it. Wayne Mapp 10 years ago when DefMin was looking at buying three more vanilla AW109E Powers in a pure training role and using the T/LUH's in the LUH role because it would get us to the ability to deploy at least 2 LUH's in support of HADR operations overseas and still enable training to continue (Something that is not possible and that is not at all ideal). It is obvious that enthusiasm for that option has faded with later ministers - because though it is incredibly fast and mobile for a helicopter, really good for transporting people - it is weak in the LUH airlift side of the equation.
But a couple of things have emerged over the last 10 years since the LUH/NH90 arrived. The growing access requirement for HVL special operations and the inefficiency of using a $20000 pfh MUH platform for low end non military MAOT tasks (that are enshrined in the Defence Act as an aid to civil power and part of the existence remit of the NZDF generally) - when a $2000 pfh option could do the same.
A couple of NH-90's are a nice to have but 2 more is a $120m CapEx cost not including the support and sustainment costs of increasing the fleet by 20%. It still will not stop expensive aircraft doing inexpensive jobs expensively and is in itself the most expensive way to add rotary capability.
The way to do this is to keep the Mako T/LUH's in their current training role. Focus the NH90 principally on its military role in support of NZ Army operations. If there is any money to be spent on the NH90 fleet the best money spent would be to upgrade them to MTTH standard which essentially is retro-fitting folding rotors, fitting of floatation devices and uprated wheeled undercarriage as that would enable greater context with the amphibious operations approach of JATF 35.
Then find the best solution in terms of cost (OpEx/CapEx), ease of introduction into service and capability for the two areas in which their is a HVL gap:
1. A reasonably cheap general purpose utility helicopter that is a well known and established entity in NZ skies that bridges the current capability gap and tasking mismatches allowing the NH90 and AW109 to specialise on their prime military roles of combat support and training, thus enabling a focus on MAOT and HADR taskings within New Zealand and the option to deploy when appropriate or necessary via fixed wing tactical transport to the Pacific Islands.
2. A special operations focused light utility helicopter in support of NZSAS requirements that is able to deploy in support of NZSAS operations both domestically and when appropriate or necessary globally.
The point I hammer home is that there is a way to avoid the full and undesirable implications of "another type."
