Gosh doesnt that sound familiar!! When us lucky Kiwis got the current Labour Govt. back 9 years ago, New Zealand had signed contracts for 20 odd F16s at absolute bargain prices and Helen who protested against the old Skyhawks when they arrived in the 70s, cancelled the contract under the guise of saving money, and then cancelled the strike wing altogether saying (and get this) that they were outdated and ineffective (a problem the F16s wouldve sorted no worries)
So point being?
Beware, if the Labour Govt you have inflicted yourselves with, is anything like what we have over here, it will be pathologically against providing an effective defense, and will begin to let the defense forces gradually self destruct, then claim it is ineffective at its job and close squadrons/units down.
mattyi, I suggest that you view the
ABC Four Corners episode that dealt with this issue. If you can't download the program, there is always the
transcript.
I wonder if after doing your research you come the same conclusions as you state above.