BBB Richard Hart or someone equally wealthy could offer to buy the RNZAF some Gripens or Super Hornets but Helengrad would refuse the offer.
Wasn't she one of those who objected to the A-4s being purchased in the first place decades ago? I guess the winners get to write the history .... this has nothing to do with defence of the dominion, but all about culture wars.
BTW I love your nom-de-PPRuNe .... Bring Back Buck indeed! I haven't heard that for years. No disrespect to Whetton but Buck really was class ....any man who loses a bunch of teeth and gets a ball torn loose from his scrotum and STILL PLAYS ON (!!!!!) gets my vote. I heard he's been a bit crook recently ... hope he's on the mend.