Plas Teek
Sorry, but we were talking about the more recent action, not 1991.
MOR
Stop squirming and trying to change the absurd context of your statements.
You stated that offloading A4's to a foreign power, which you were happy to do as a trade in for F16's when it suited, would risk having that hardware and tactics used against you in the future. To add credence to this preposterous argument, you informed us the Gulf War was an undisputable example. It was politely pointed out that Iraqi equipment and tactics-and especially in the context you have used the A4 example as- was predominantly Russian & French.
We all know American foreign policy was for a status quo in the region- a stalemate as such, or inevitable costly defeat to both protagonists- which had limited American hardware find itself supplying both armies clandestinely.
Stating a 206 with a hardpoint could do the job in Afganistan a fair summary of your logic and arguments to date. More impressive would have been, a statement that arming your Orions with air-ground weapons a meaningful contribution to a defence effort.
Belittling the threat faced by Argentinian A4's makes no sense and you have ignored the repeated explaination that hovering and forward bases, have not been neccessary or suitable for a decade worth of air campaigns, making Harrier aircraft similar to other platforms.
Foreign affairs not your strongpoint as you reference America being the suitable Phillipino ally. The Americans are treading on egg shells there because of obvious historical sensitivites. You have been fortunate not to lose New Zealanders to Phillipino trained bombmakers, and it is not beyond the realms of possibility, that New Zealand will be asked to assist Phillipino police and army in counter-terrorism roles in the future.
I have taken it upon my duty, until Woomera sees fit to moderate, to remind New Zealanders at every opportunity that there bludging is convincing in many areas, none so convincing as defence!
You are a lost nation, since WW2 when you over committed your resources to Europe, and played only a token effort with the war in the Pacific on your doorstep. Britain was ungrateful at your sacrifice, so you leaned toward ANZUS post war, but being the pesky little guys you are, discovered you felt biggest and most important, when you told bigger friends where to go!