View Full Version : NZ Govt considering x2 RNZAF C-17s
tartare
16th Apr 2015, 11:07
Well, it seems you chaps may have been right:
Two new Boeing C-17s to cost NZDF $600m - Business - NZ Herald News (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11433122&ref=rss)'
They're certainly sounding serious, and the money's being budgeted for.
Could politicians actually be about to make a sensible decision?
They should just bite the bullet and buy 4 of the damn things.
Now wait for the Greens to start wailing...
And while we're at it, why on earth they didn't just buy Blackhawks instead of those NH-90 pieces of junk...
josephfeatherweight
16th Apr 2015, 11:52
Hope NZ gets them. Best "off the shelf" purchase the RAAF ever made!
Sandy Parts
16th Apr 2015, 12:52
Anyone suggested leasing them and then ending up paying for them again when you buy them and some more? no? just the UK then :}
Hempy
16th Apr 2015, 13:26
The Kiwis are pretty switched on (NH-90 aside). The Skyhawk decision, whilst derided in some quarters was sound. I expect this purchase to go through tbh.
flyinkiwi
16th Apr 2015, 23:49
Those planes would be used (among other things) for disaster relief and supplying aid, that's something not even the most ardent treehugger could gripe about.
reynoldsno1
17th Apr 2015, 00:02
I would have thought a partnership/combined squadron with the RAAF is worth considering ...
etimegev
17th Apr 2015, 08:17
That's far too sensible an idea :=
TBM-Legend
17th Apr 2015, 08:39
Combined squadron not required when 3 hours away is a Sim/training facility maintenance etc etc.
Sovereignty is important.
Pontius Navigator
17th Apr 2015, 12:19
Sandy, wasn't buying them cheaper than the excess mileage charge :)
Those planes would be used (among other things) for disaster relief and supplying aid, that's something not even the most ardent treehugger could gripe about.
I believe you are under estimating the ardency of many tree huggers, who will insist the C-17s be fueled by 100% "carbon neutral" biofuel.
Uncle Ginsters
17th Apr 2015, 19:47
"Sandy, wasn't buying them cheaper than the excess mileage charge "
Pretty sure the UK didn't win that one - IIRC the rental was such that a single hour flown beyond the agreement would've made it cheaper to buy in the first place.
And that was a 4-year lease that then took until 2008 to buy them outright.
Still the best acquisition the RAF has made in a long time though...one day we might even use then beyond Strat AT cart horses.